Where to buy cigarettes in Spain?

saints1fan

Hi

I have just booked a cheap return flight to Malaga, specifically to stock on cigarettes to get me through the next 9 months or so. I have checked out legal limits and as they are just for me, I am confident I will save a fair amount.

However, I would be grateful of any advice as to where I should buy my suitcase full. I want to get the best price possible. I am staying over night, probably in Benalmedena or close to. Thank you.

phatbear

Hi,

All tobacco traders, tabacs, are state governed and therefore are all the same price, the only real difference is you may get a freebee or two if you buy any quantity, ie a t-shirt etc. Most towns will have a number of tabacs so its never going to be a problem with getting what you're after.

I noted in your post that you mention your "limit" however you're incorrect in assuming its a limit its actually a guideline, officially you can have what you want from the EU as long as its for your own personal consumption.

Also you say suitcase full, I dont know if you're just using this as a term of phrase but from my wealth of experience your average suitcase can carry 15'ish thousand cigs, which is a heck of a lot for 9 months.

All the best

the bear

terryw

phatbear wrote: »

Hi,

All tobacco traders, tabacs, are state governed and therefore are all the same price, the only real difference is you may get a freebee or two if you buy any quantity, ie a t-shirt etc. Most towns will have a number of tabacs so its never going to be a problem with getting what you're after.

I noted in your post that you mention your "limit" however you're incorrect in assuming its a limit its actually a guideline, officially you can have what you want from the EU as long as its for your own personal consumption.

All the best

the bear

Good advice Bear. Just make sure the shop is a proper tabac........cigs are slightly dearer if sold at some supermarkets and from vending machines.

terryw

lily_the_pink

and dont wait for the airport as they are slightly more expensive.

bryanb

Why not consider a bus trip to Gib. They were much cheaper down there last time I was there. In fact Spaniards at the border crossing are always asking Brits to carry cigs accross for them as Brits are never searched for cigs (not always true, but rarely if on a coach trip)
Sorry, just re-read your post and realised you won't have time.

rmcbryer

Hola,

Been caught out a few times with this one. Some tabacs close during the siesta and the ones that stay open usually charge a lot more.

With it being a touristy area it should be OK!!

Siesta is usually between - 14.00 and 17.00.

phatbear

bryanb wrote: »

Why not consider a bus trip to Gib. They were much cheaper down there last time I was there. In fact Spaniards at the border crossing are always asking Brits to carry cigs accross for them as Brits are never searched for cigs (not always true, but rarely if on a coach trip)
Sorry, just re-read your post and realised you won't have time.

And of course im sure you're aware that despite being part of the EU gibraltar is not part of the customs community territory and therefore you can only bring back 200 cigs, of course some silly sod will think "well im travelling from spain how will the good looking customs officer know I bought them in gibraltar" well the 1st person who can answer that question in the next 10 mins will get a phatbear certificate!!!

all the best

the bear

jimsmum

phatbear wrote: »

And of course im sure you're aware that despite being part of the EU gibraltar is not part of the customs community territory and therefore you can only bring back 200 cigs, of course some silly sod will think "well im travelling from spain how will the good looking customs officer know I bought them in gibraltar" well the 1st person who can answer that question in the next 10 mins will get a phatbear certificate!!!

all the best

the bear

they'd have a gibraltar sticker on them wouldn't they

Do I get a certificate? :T

phatbear

And even more obvious than that they would have english health warnings on them, i had some chap a few years ago who claimed he had not been to gibraltar despite having a bag full of cigs with english health warning anyway for one reason or another i had to strip search him and during the search i found his digital camera with pics of him standing beside the gibraltar rock and other pics showing how he concealed the goods in the car to cross the border bless him.

Anyway you get the certificate if you would like to send £31..07 for printing and p&p and i'll get it in the post within the next few weeks.

all the best

the bear

terryw

phatbear wrote: »

And even more obvious than that they would have english health warnings on them, i had some chap a few years ago who claimed he had not been to gibraltar despite having a bag full of cigs with english health warning anyway for one reason or another i had to strip search him and during the search i found his digital camera with pics of him standing beside the gibraltar rock and other pics showing how he concealed the goods in the car to cross the border bless him.

Anyway you get the certificate if you would like to send £31..07 for printing and p&p and i'll get it in the post within the next few weeks.

all the best

the bear

Phatbear,

Just out interest, if a tourist bought cigarettes in Gibralter and then declared them to the Spanish Customs and paid the Spanish tax, would this count as "duty paid within the EU" for subsequently bringing said cigarettes to the UK for one's own personal use?

thanks

terryw

phatbear

yes it would, however it would still be subject to customs control on entering the UK ie if you were stopped and despite paying the duty the officer in the UK was not happy that the items were not held for a commercial purpose they could still be siezed, however given that the duty being paid would virtually bring them up to full retail of the UK product the officer would take into consideration the potential for profit from the items, well i would anyway .

all the best

the bear