Reducing levels of Tobacco/cigarettes from EU

booter

Just spotted this:
http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/thelibrary/tobacco-products.pdf
So basically, travelling from an EU country, your "allowance" will be reduced. Kept that one quiet didn't they!

shaun_from_Africa

It's a bit like this change coming in at the beginning on November.

http://customs.hmrc.gov.uk/channelsPortalWebApp/channelsPortalWebApp.portal?_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=pageTravel_ShowContent&id=HMCE_CL_000014&propertyType=document#P35_3926

With effect from 1 November 2011, the threshold over which commercially imported goods are subject to import VAT will reduce from £18 to £15. However please note this change does not affect any other Customs thresholds or reliefs.
This means that from 1 November 2011, commercial consignments of £15 or less, excludingalcohol, tobacco products, perfume or toilet waters, will be free from customs duty and import VAT.
Commercial consignments with a value exceeding £15 imported on or after 1 November 2011 will be liable to import VAT.

I can see a lot of people who buy goods from the Channel islands will end up getting caught out by this.

Tigsteroonie

booter wrote: »

Just spotted this:
http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/thelibrary/tobacco-products.pdf
So basically, travelling from an EU country, your "allowance" will be reduced. Kept that one quiet didn't they!

Yes you're damn right they kept that quiet.

For everyone else's benefit:

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.

So basically if you are bringing home more than 800 cigs per person for personal use, prepare to have to stand your ground at Customs.

phatbear

we've had lengthy talks about this and decided its really not gonna make much of a difference remember its an allowance after all.

booter

Tigsteroonie wrote: »

So basically if you are bringing home more than 800 cigs per person for personal use, prepare to have to stand your ground at Customs.

phatbear wrote: »

we've had lengthy talks about this and decided its really not gonna make much of a difference remember its an allowance after all.

It's supposed to be a "guideline" not an "allowance" - but coming back through customs may well be a nightmare if you've exceeded the "guideline" amount, and as Tigsteroonie says, you'll have to be prepared to stand your ground - and be prepared for a potentially lengthy interview!

phatbear

the point i was trying to make is its highly unlikely that anything less than the old allowance would be actioned anyway

EycplUK

They can put whatever "limits " they like ! it don`t mean a thing !!
As an EU citizen you are allowed Free passage of goods between EU countries , as long as you have paid the members states taxation level at point of purchase !
There is an excellent discussion about these methods used by the UKBA on Day Tripper . Net website !
So don`t fall for the hype ! Know the Law and your rights !

martindow

Am I the only one who thinks cracking down on large 'personal' imports of tobacco is a good thing? The current level of 3200 is huge and clearly a lot of large consignments are being partially or completely sold on.

Is the reduction from 18 to 15 pounds on commercial imports from outside the EU designed to stop Tesco and others VAT avoidance by selling from the Channel Islands? If so it's not reduced enough.

phatbear

martindow wrote: »

Am I the only one who thinks cracking down on large 'personal' imports of tobacco is a good thing? The current level of 3200 is huge and clearly a lot of large consignments are being partially or completely sold on.
.

Sorry dont agree 3200 is 6 months worth for a 20 a day smoker so its not excessive.

Also if there is a crackdown then that means less time to deal with proper issues

s_b

phatbear wrote: »

Sorry dont agree 3200 is 6 months worth for a 20 a day smoker so its not excessive.

Also if there is a crackdown then that means less time to deal with proper issues

quite correct
lady i know shes 68 goes twice a year on the day trip coach to belgium to buy her tobacco
she cant afford the price of it in this country

booter

EycplUK wrote: »

They can put whatever "limits " they like ! it don`t mean a thing !!
As an EU citizen you are allowed Free passage of goods between EU countries , as long as you have paid the members states taxation level at point of purchase !
There is an excellent discussion about these methods used by the UKBA on Day Tripper . Net website !
So don`t fall for the hype ! Know the Law and your rights !

Although we're supposed to be EU citizens, I suspect it won't mean a thing if you try to enter the country with more than the guideline amount - how long in "interview" are you prepared to spend to fight for you rights? I've heard some real horror stories of people being practically interrogated by HMCE for hours and then being stranded. Or having to "abandon" cigarettes to avoid being stranded. (I've been told that's the preferred method for HMCE i.e. to abandon cigarettes, as then there's no seizure, therefore no paperwork and no right of appeal).

phatbear wrote: »

Sorry dont agree 3200 is 6 months worth for a 20 a day smoker so its not excessive.

Also if there is a crackdown then that means less time to deal with proper issues

Absolutely agree phatbear! It does make you wonder if the officers trying to work on the "front line" are looking forward to October!