Any risks going to Spain for cigs??

terrylamps

Hi. 4 of us are planning on going to Spain in April (returning the same day) to stock up on cigs for ourselves (definitely not to sell on) and was just wondering if we're allowed to do this or can customs be funny with you if you go and come back in the same day with your allowance of tobacco?

If we get stopped by customs will we be ok with the amount of cigs we have on us (we are only bringing back our allowance) and if asked why we went to Spain for the day would we be ok saying to stock up on cigs or would we be better saying something else? Anything else i should know? :huh:

terrylamps

And does anyone know the best place to go? We'll be flying either to Barcelona or Reus airport.

terrylamps

1 last question and it may be a silly one, but we'll be taking 2 small suitcases between us (1 per couple) which will obviously be empty when we're flying out. Will there be any problems with that - flying out with empty suitcases and flying back with each case containing 2 peoples allowance. Do we need to have our own case?

GUMPO

Can't see any bother. My OH sometimes stocks up when she is away on business for a day or two. You might get trouble if you mix the brands though. It's hard to say they are all for you if you have say Regal and Silk Cut.

bestyman

Ive done many trips to spain and brought back 3200 cigs each without question. Shortest trip was a weekend though, Id have thought a day trip was hard work but thats up to you .
I cannot see any problems as you are within your rights, provided of course that you dont go every week for a suitcase of ciggies .
I stopped smoking a year ago but I do know that cig prices went up in spain about a year ago by so not the bargain they once was. I would look into other countries and compare prices .
Cigs in spain are only sold at tabacs( spanish cig shop) and they are all the same price so doesnt matter where you go .
Cannot help on the shared case thing as something we have never done but you could possibly take a sports bag / holdall in a case if need be .
If you are flying from liverpool ryanair are doing some really cheap flights at the moment to Granada ( just booked one £50 return inc taxes)

metrobus

you are also allowed 3kg (60 packs) of hand rolling tobacco along with the
3200 fags,make sure you are not 1 fag over the limit even loose ones
in your pockets,if you have 3201 you have crossed the line then
it is up to you to prove they are for your use and not for them to prove
they are not.And they look for anything to confiscate them when you go
over the limit, just take a pack out of one of your 16 cartons and get the
other 3 to do the same.

Good luck.

ManAtHome

As Bestyman said, I'd go for a weekend (or a fortnight...), but unlikely to be any problem with Customs unless you start doing it frequently.

Dunno about the cases - although I have taken a very light one on a couple of trips so I didn't have all my clothes in one case. Should be ideal if you can get one which will fit inside the other. Have a read about compensation for lost luggage though - you may decide to take 4 cases instead...

alba37

There is no problem at all if they are for your own use. My only advice would be don't use a holdall, they are better disguised, just to stop the hassle at customs when you arrive back.

(I am sure the baggage handlers tip off customs)

I have a long story so won't go in to it, but basically I was stopped and interigated (felt that way) at a London airport, by undercover customs officers, what they said is it looks worse having lots of the same cigs, better having different brands if you have a very large amount. Didn't make much sense to us, but that's what they said. People doing cig runs bring back 1 brand only... so we were told!

satan666wayne

terrylamps wrote:

Any risks going to Spain for cigs??

CANCER....

terrylamps

Thanks for all your replies guys. Much appreciated.

cullin

Don't get any thing in the duty free, much dearer, buy it all in the Tabac. Should have no trouble as previously stated staying within the guidelines 3,200 cigs PLUS 3Kilos tobacco. Look up eurotabaco.net for current prices. Have a good trip.