Buying booze in Europe
Discussion
Hopefully a quick one.... I am assuming the answer is no but if anyone knows otherwise I would appreciate a link.
If I went to France and bought a boot load of Pinot Grigio from a wine supermarket can I then use that wine at a dinner function for which I am selling tickets? Assume the tickets say wine is available.
Thanks in advance! I appreciate confirming my thoughts.
If I went to France and bought a boot load of Pinot Grigio from a wine supermarket can I then use that wine at a dinner function for which I am selling tickets? Assume the tickets say wine is available.
Thanks in advance! I appreciate confirming my thoughts.
Unless the rules have changed since I was last a customs officer/border force officer (in 2012) then you can bring back as much booze as you like from any EU country as long as it's for your own use
Were you to be stopped at the border and your boot searched you 'could' say it's for your own use and 'forget' the part with the party and the paying guests.....
Brexit may well change all that....
Were you to be stopped at the border and your boot searched you 'could' say it's for your own use and 'forget' the part with the party and the paying guests.....
Brexit may well change all that....
You might want to plan your route though!
Back in the early 90s I lived in Sittingbourne when 6 bottles was the limit IIRC - but Dover was near enough for regular shopping trips!
Once the UK joined the EU there were no limits on duty-paid goods - so HMRC got pretty upset and just started pulling vans in on the A2 with a view to nicking them for being over-weight.
And in the early 90s they set up a site near Maidstone to test for red diesel!
Whatever you want, be careful and buy it before Brexit - if that ever happens.
Back in the early 90s I lived in Sittingbourne when 6 bottles was the limit IIRC - but Dover was near enough for regular shopping trips!
Once the UK joined the EU there were no limits on duty-paid goods - so HMRC got pretty upset and just started pulling vans in on the A2 with a view to nicking them for being over-weight.
And in the early 90s they set up a site near Maidstone to test for red diesel!
Whatever you want, be careful and buy it before Brexit - if that ever happens.
Thanks both for the responses.
It was more the using it for the function where my question was aimed. The function is in a sports club (which is the host) - which has its own bar.
Can the host of the function give me the cash I would have paid for the wine and then offer it "on the tables" so to speak with the Xmas meal. Attendees are not buying the wine - "directly" and attendees are members of the sports club. They buy a ticket for the function - there will be an expectation wine is available with the meal.
I think the answer is no - but just want confirmation. I think it falls over when the club gives me the cash for the wine I would buy. Therefore it is not for personal consumption etc.
The counter to my "no" is along the lines of a wedding - the couple buy the wine from abroad and have it served at the wedding. The function host (lets say the sports club) charge no corkage. The only difference is who actually pays - the couple pay for the wedding meal per head - instead of the attendees paying. Or am i missing something?
To cover off another argument from the EU I assume it is "Duty Paid" not "Duty Free".
It was more the using it for the function where my question was aimed. The function is in a sports club (which is the host) - which has its own bar.
Can the host of the function give me the cash I would have paid for the wine and then offer it "on the tables" so to speak with the Xmas meal. Attendees are not buying the wine - "directly" and attendees are members of the sports club. They buy a ticket for the function - there will be an expectation wine is available with the meal.
I think the answer is no - but just want confirmation. I think it falls over when the club gives me the cash for the wine I would buy. Therefore it is not for personal consumption etc.
The counter to my "no" is along the lines of a wedding - the couple buy the wine from abroad and have it served at the wedding. The function host (lets say the sports club) charge no corkage. The only difference is who actually pays - the couple pay for the wedding meal per head - instead of the attendees paying. Or am i missing something?
To cover off another argument from the EU I assume it is "Duty Paid" not "Duty Free".
I personally think you are on dodgy ground, especially as the wine is for a business (and not your business). Cash changing hands to buy it off you, regardless of what is happening to it afterwards, is an even bigger red flag.
I expect HMRC would have little interest if it was an actual car boot full. If you are filling a Transit, that would be very different.
Is wine actually that much cheaper in France? Depending on whether you care about the quality, there are loads of wines available for £5 or less in the supermarkets. If you went to a UK wine merchant you could probably get a good deal, or Costco is great if you want higher quality wine at a good price per case.
I expect HMRC would have little interest if it was an actual car boot full. If you are filling a Transit, that would be very different.
Is wine actually that much cheaper in France? Depending on whether you care about the quality, there are loads of wines available for £5 or less in the supermarkets. If you went to a UK wine merchant you could probably get a good deal, or Costco is great if you want higher quality wine at a good price per case.
Camelot1971 said:
I personally think you are on dodgy ground, especially as the wine is for a business (and not your business). Cash changing hands to buy it off you, regardless of what is happening to it afterwards, is an even bigger red flag.
I expect HMRC would have little interest if it was an actual car boot full. If you are filling a Transit, that would be very different.
Is wine actually that much cheaper in France? Depending on whether you care about the quality, there are loads of wines available for £5 or less in the supermarkets. If you went to a UK wine merchant you could probably get a good deal, or Costco is great if you want higher quality wine at a good price per case.
Yep defiantly on dodgy ground if you sell it, I used to do a late night bargain Chunnel ticket once a month to stock up but I can’t see France being that much cheaper than the supermarket deals now?I expect HMRC would have little interest if it was an actual car boot full. If you are filling a Transit, that would be very different.
Is wine actually that much cheaper in France? Depending on whether you care about the quality, there are loads of wines available for £5 or less in the supermarkets. If you went to a UK wine merchant you could probably get a good deal, or Costco is great if you want higher quality wine at a good price per case.
Certainly with Tobacco (I would think booze is the same) you can bring as much back as you like for your own personal use, my understanding is that you can gift some but as soon as money changes hands (even if it's cost price) then you're on dodgy ground and would need to pay the relevant duty.
How many cases are you planning on bringing in? As above if fits in a car boot then just say it's for parties over christmas etc. if you are stopped (which is very unlikely) and there won't be a problem. However if its a van load they may question you further.
Can recommend Calais wine superstore which is about 5 mins drive from the port, they have a tasting room and also if you spend a certain amount (think its about £250) they will pay for your crossing.
Can recommend Calais wine superstore which is about 5 mins drive from the port, they have a tasting room and also if you spend a certain amount (think its about £250) they will pay for your crossing.
vaud said:
If it's just a car's worth and a one off trip you will be fine. DON'T tell them you are selling in any form. House party/reception etc.
Is a lie OK if you don't get caught? Is it OK to encourage the commission of an offence? Commercial use (Not just retail) attracts duty even on duty paid goods, within the EU. So to awswer the OP you were correct that the answer is no.
Graveworm said:
Is a lie OK if you don't get caught? Is it OK to encourage the commission of an offence?
Commercial use (Not just retail) attracts duty even on duty paid goods, within the EU. So to awswer the OP you were correct that the answer is no.
I'm being pragmatic. Should we speed? No. But even the guidelines are not to prosecute for minor speed offences. Commercial use (Not just retail) attracts duty even on duty paid goods, within the EU. So to awswer the OP you were correct that the answer is no.
I would not recommend it anyway as the logistics and time spent are must be too high for the return... Surely?
Gassing Station | Speed, Plod & the Law | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff