Thompson Rep told me I can only take 800 cigs back?
Discussion
I'm in Majorca at the moment and will be returning to England tomorrow. I was hoping to take back around 4000 cigs with me for personal use. My Thompson rep has now just told me that the limit recently changed to 800 but I thought as long as tax has been paid on them from within the EU there was no limit?
Can somebody please tell me the up to date rules on this now as I'm confused and don't want any hassle in the airport.
Cheers.
Can somebody please tell me the up to date rules on this now as I'm confused and don't want any hassle in the airport.
Cheers.
Rep is correct - it is 800 (since 1st Oct 2011)
http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/thelibrary/tobacco-products...
General description of the measure
The Minimum Indicative Levels (MILs), used to assist Border officials in determining whether importations of tobacco products from other EU Member States are for own use, will reduce from 3200 cigarettes and 3kgs of smoking (hand rolling) tobacco to 800 cigarettes and 1kg of smoking tobacco on 1 October 2011. These are the guideline quantities at which Border officials may generally start to query whether the goods are for own use only, and the change will act as a deterrent to those who currently bring in quantities between the new and old levels for resale.
http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/thelibrary/tobacco-products...
General description of the measure
The Minimum Indicative Levels (MILs), used to assist Border officials in determining whether importations of tobacco products from other EU Member States are for own use, will reduce from 3200 cigarettes and 3kgs of smoking (hand rolling) tobacco to 800 cigarettes and 1kg of smoking tobacco on 1 October 2011. These are the guideline quantities at which Border officials may generally start to query whether the goods are for own use only, and the change will act as a deterrent to those who currently bring in quantities between the new and old levels for resale.
This is a pet hate of mine. If you smoke 20 a day then a pack will last 10 days. So they are saying that bringing back 800 is more than enough for personal use. This is just over a months worth. They just hate people not paying the huge mark up in Tax we have here. I don't smoke fags by the way but I don't think it is right that someone can't at least bring back a years worth.
I wouldn't let it put you off bringing back a few more packets. As long as they are all the same type it is up to customs to prove you are going to sell them on. I know a couple of friends who have brought back a couple of thousand each and everytime they go abroad and have only been stopped once each. When they explained the 20 a day rule they were told they could keep them no problem.
http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/customs/arriving/arrivingeu... on here it says there is no limit but you will get asked questions if you carry over 800
Cyder said:
el stovey said:
Locke said:
Think I'll risk it... off to buy 4000
So you've told everyone you're going to break the law and what flight you're on. Your profile even gives your name. There's plenty of posters that work for HMRC good luck mate. 
From the link above.
el stovey said:
"Regulation 13(4)(h) of The Excise Goods (Holding, Movement and Duty Point) Regulations 2010, which in turn implements in UK legislation Article 32 3(a) of EU Council Directive 2008/118/EC. "
From the link above.
You appear to be confused about what the Minimum Indicative Levels represent.From the link above.
el stovey said:
Cyder said:
el stovey said:
Locke said:
Think I'll risk it... off to buy 4000
So you've told everyone you're going to break the law and what flight you're on. Your profile even gives your name. There's plenty of posters that work for HMRC good luck mate. From the link above.
Although there are no limits on the amount of alcohol and tobacco you can bring in from EU countries....
No law broken then?
sjg said:
el stovey said:
"Regulation 13(4)(h) of The Excise Goods (Holding, Movement and Duty Point) Regulations 2010, which in turn implements in UK legislation Article 32 3(a) of EU Council Directive 2008/118/EC. "
From the link above.
You appear to be confused about what the Minimum Indicative Levels represent.From the link above.
Cyder said:
No law broken then?
Nope. But they'll still be taken off the returning traveller. It's just that they won't be prosecuted.You can appeal to get them back, and after several levels of appeal you might even win. But the goods will have been destroyed within a few days of being seized and no compensation will be awarded.
el stovey said:
Locke said:
Think I'll risk it... off to buy 4000
So you've told everyone you're going to break the law and what flight you're on. Your profile even gives your name. There's plenty of posters that work for HMRC good luck mate. Deva Link said:
Cyder said:
No law broken then?
Nope. But they'll still be taken off the returning traveller. It's just that they won't be prosecuted.You can appeal to get them back, and after several levels of appeal you might even win. But the goods will have been destroyed within a few days of being seized and no compensation will be awarded.
800 is the guideline quantity at which Border officials may generally start to query whether the goods are for own use only.
http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/thelibrary/tobacco-products...
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