Unpaid fine in Spain, please help

dacouch

rustyboy21 wrote: »

I think they just have to uphold an agreement re smuggling. I know it is not the same, but why is it that if you get stopped by security at a UK airport, they can swab your bags and see if you have had any drugs in them. It really doesn't matter as you are going OUT of the country, they are not being imported, but you would still get done. I think it may be a joint agreement between all the EU countries.

It must have been all in his hand luggage though, That's a hell of a lot. I would be surprised if they had pulled him up, after checking his suitcase, they would normally just through standard screening. I have gone through many times with at least 24 cartons of cigs in my case, without any issue, apart from the Canaries, where they Xray the cases on arrival at Manchester for example, from any non EU country like Turkey, the canaries, Gibraltar etc.

( And yes, before any of you try and pick me up on it, Yes I know Canaries and Gib are in the EU, but they are not covered by the standard allowances of the other countries, Just before you start !)

The issue he has got though, is that it looks as if it could be a court fine, not just a civil issue. Is there any end time for the fine to be put to bed? I wouldn't risk it OP. Try and get a decent Spanish Solicitor to give you advise first.

Assuming the pouches were standard size pouches 600 would weigh 300kg

agrinnall

dacouch wrote: »

Assuming the pouches were standard size pouches 600 would weigh 300kg

I think your maths may be a bit out, aren't pouches 50g, which would make the total 30kg not 300 (although that's still pretty heavy whether it's checked baggage or hand luggage).

shaun_from_Africa

There is no limit on the amount of tobacco or alcohol that can legally be exported out of any EU country (or in fact, just any non EU country as well).
Provided that I intended to declare it on arrival in the UK, I am doing nothing wrong by buying and exporting 60, 600 or 6000 pouches of tobacco from Spain.
There is now free trade between EU countries, and the only time a problem should arise is if someone brings back more than enough for personal use and in this instance any crime is committed in the country of importation.

I was thinking that the OP either purchased the tobacco in a non EU country and was transiting through spain or they made the purchase in Spain and the baccy was an illegal import that hadn't had the correct EU duty paid.

rustyboy21

Perhaps you are right there. He could have been over to Gib and brought them back with him, the Spanish would definitely stop him for those, or they are Eastern European and they have stopped him with them too.


I have seen loads of people bringing loads back from Spain and never any issues from the Spanish Customs brigade. It must be something dodgy to get done by them. They would normally be made up, someone is spending so much in their country ! lol

bigmaz

Surely they have to give you some sort of paperwork on the spot stating that they are going to take the case forward? Surely they cannot just let you leave and then start preceedings without letting you know and then out of the blue issue you with a fine months later. Unless the OP had got paperwork and just assumed it was just a slap on the wrist.

Boppinglou

Did u go to tenerife my hisband has the same issue as u, but in fairness the spanish authorities have not answered our emails

tomtontom

Boppinglou wrote: »

Did u go to tenerife my hisband has the same issue as u, but in fairness the spanish authorities have not answered our emails

Start your own thread, this one is over a year old.

hollydays

Boppinglou wrote: »

Did u go to tenerife my hisband has the same issue as u, but in fairness the spanish authorities have not answered our emails

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