Flights n Ciggies

odowdchr

phatbear wrote:

I really cant see the confusion,

Cyprus is in the E.U however Northern Cyprus is under the control of the Turkish goverment, and given that Turkey is'nt part of the E.U, it to is'nt in the E.U, fascinating fact coming up, do you know you cant fly direct from northern cyprus to the U.K amazing eh?

Regarading the new ascension states, there are limits, however these will need to be addressed this year, because the vast majority of them joined the E.U on 1st May 2004, and they will be full fiscal members by 1st May 2007, this will probably mean the respective goverment will rise the duty on their cigs etc.

As previously stated dont get caught out do your research and check the guidelines or limits before you go, I've lost count of the amount of people who told me they thought they could have what they want because they are british etc etc. So if in doubt look on our website and https://www.hmrc.gov.uk or ask a friendly customs officer for a notice one.

All the best

The Bear

Prague was one last year. First trip a guy brought back his 3200 ciggies.
The next week another friend went and got stopped back in England.
The Customs guys didn't know how many cigarettes he was legally entitled to bring back because the Czech Republic was a Member but not a Full Member. Conflicting advice on Govt. websites.
In the end...they kept the ciggies overnight then rang him to go and get them after he threatened legal action.

TBeckett100

was getting my luggage at gatwich and it says Czech repulic , latvia estonia etc 200 fags. some woman had case opened and hundreds fell out.

metrobus

The HMCE rules are very simple and if the customs guy did not know the ruling
he must have been just that, simple.

There are posters in all airports pointing out the limits.

I would have thought he was very lucky to get anything back since
he had clearly broken the law and no way would the HMCE back down to any such threat of legal actions,it is a black and white case with no grey area at all .

http://members.boardhost.com/visitfeedback/

Take a look at the above forum, a
few customs guys post there and see the replies you get if you
post the above post and not just from the customs also from hard core tobacco runners, it would just not happen.

phatbear

Being a customs officer I can only say that if one of my colleagues didnt know what the limit was from the czech republic then he really wouldnt last long in uniform, and as far as the officer keeping hold of the cigs then returning them the next day I can only say either your mate is telling a few porkies or this officer should be found and asked some serious questions.

all the best

the bear