bringing tabaco and alcohol back (turkey)

dickydonkin

powerful_Rogue wrote: »

Not really.

They dont set the rules, just doing the job their paid to do - preventing prohibited and restricted items from being imported to the UK and protecting the revenue.

You are correct - but my point is that due to undermanning caused by financial restraints, these Officers should be more cost effective and targeted at major drug smuggling gangs and money launderers - not your average traveller who has had the audacity to exceed his allowance by a litre of spirit or an extra packet of fags.

powerful_Rogue

dickydonkin wrote: »

You are correct - but my point is that due to undermanning caused by financial restraints, these Officers should be more cost effective and targeted at major drug smuggling gangs and money launderers - not your average traveller who has had the audacity to exceed his allowance by a litre of spirit or an extra packet of fags.

Its the same traveller that could have 3 kilos of cocaine in their bag though.

Whos to say their arnt teams who focus on drug smuggling gangs? Same with the police, you have teams that deal with the serious crime and teams that deal with the anti social behaviour and low level crime.

Pollycat

Best thing to do is familiarise yourself with the rules and then decide if you want to take the risk of getting caught if you do exceed the stated amounts.

But please don't bleat about it afterwards if you do get caught.

steve1500

Fags from Turkey regardless of where bought 200. If you bring back 1000 and are VERY unlucky to get stopped by customs, loose fags, and slap on wrist from customs, booze get on the plane much cheaper than at Turrkish airport

dickydonkin

powerful_Rogue wrote: »

Its the same traveller that could have 3 kilos of cocaine in their bag though.

Whos to say their arnt teams who focus on drug smuggling gangs? Same with the police, you have teams that deal with the serious crime and teams that deal with the anti social behaviour and low level crime.

The latter is very likely related to satisfy targets - including hounding motorists, but does little to eradicate serious crime - the same arguably applies to customs.

scottishperson2

powerful_Rogue wrote: »

They dont set the rules

Unfortunately they do set the rules, but shouldn't be doing so. There is enough evidence of legit travellers bringing back goods legally, then having there vehicles and goods seized due to the fact they have bought "too many" cigarettes from Belgium or elsewhere.

HMRC state

http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/customs/arriving/arrivingeu.htm

"Although there are no limits on the amount of alcohol and tobacco you can bring in from EU countries, customs officials are more likely to ask you questions if you have more than the following:"

Try bringing back 11 litres of whisky and see what happens.

tescobabe69

scottishperson2 wrote: »

Unfortunately they do set the rules, but shouldn't be doing so. There is enough evidence of legit travellers bringing back goods legally, then having there vehicles and goods seized due to the fact they have bought too many cigarettes from Belgium or elsewhere.

HMRC state

http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/customs/arriving/arrivingeu.htm

"Although there are no limits on the amount of alcohol and tobacco you can bring in from EU countries, customs officials are more likely to ask you questions if you have more than the following:"

Try bringing back 11 litres of whisky and see what happens.

From bitter experience the above is true.
In regard to drugs, the difference is the government dont sell cocaine etc, but they do benefit from the sale of cigarrettes & tobacco, which is why they are so strict.

Bob_the_Saver

scottishperson2 wrote: »

Try bringing back 11 litres of whisky and see what happens.

That's only 22 days personal usage!

powerful_Rogue

scottishperson2 wrote: »

Unfortunately they do set the rules, but shouldn't be doing so. There is enough evidence of legit travellers bringing back goods legally, then having there vehicles and goods seized due to the fact they have bought "too many" cigarettes from Belgium or elsewhere.

HMRC state

http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/customs/arriving/arrivingeu.htm

"Although there are no limits on the amount of alcohol and tobacco you can bring in from EU countries, customs officials are more likely to ask you questions if you have more than the following:"

Try bringing back 11 litres of whisky and see what happens.

Depends on the persons story and circumstances.

Being one litre over I doubt many customs officers would be bothered, but depends on the situation.

mum2one

powerful_Rogue wrote: »

Thats wrong im afraid. If you buy cigarettes or alochol from Turkey then you can only bring back the allowences listed in the second post.

If you bring back more, then you need to go through the red channel at the port (Goods to delcare) and pay the duty. Failing that, get caught travelling through the green channel and have it all seized.

Cheers, it was the EU regs i was thinking of, didn't realsie it only applied in the EU, thought it was any country!. xx