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Travelling to the UK from the European Union (EU)
Source: http://www.hmce.gov.uk
If you are bringing in alcohol or tobacco goods and we have reason to suspect they may be for a commercial purpose, a Customs officer may ask you questions and make checks, for example about:
The officer will take into account all the factors of the situation and your
explanation.
If we are satisfied that the goods are for a commercial purpose we may
seize them and any vehicle used to transport them, and may not return
them to you.
If you are caught selling alcohol or tobacco goods they may be seized, and
for a serious offence you could get up to seven years in prison.
The country where you buy tobacco goods may have its own laws on how much
you can buy or have in your possession, and what documents you need. If in
doubt, check with that country’s authorities before you buy.
If you let a coach, ferry or aircraft store your goods while travelling back
to the UK you must make sure when you arrive in the UK that you collect the
exact goods you bought.
From some EU countries there are limits on the amount of tobacco products
you can bring back without paying UK duty.
From CZECH REPUBLIC - 200 cigarettes or 250g of smoking tobacco or 50 cigars
or 100 cigarillos
From ESTONIA - 200 cigarettes or 250g of smoking tobacco*
From HUNGARY, LATVIA, LITHUANIA, POLAND, SLOVAKIA OR SLOVENIA - 200 cigarettes*
*No limit on other tobacco products as long as they are for your own use.
If you have tobacco products over these limits you should speak to a Customs
officer in the red channel or on the red point phone.
Other countries' rules The country where you buy tobacco goods may have its
own laws on how much you can buy or have in your possession, and what documents
you need. If in doubt, check with that country's authorities before you buy.
Travelling by coach, ferry or aircraft
If you let a coach, ferry or aircraft store your goods while travelling to
the UK you must make sure when you arrive in the UK that you collect the exact
goods you bought.
The EU Countries are: Austria, Belgium, Cyprus*, Czech Republic, Denmark,
Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, The Irish Republic, Italy,
Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, The Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia,
Slovenia, Spain (but not the Canary Islands), Sweden, The UK (but not the
Channel Islands).
Though the whole of Cyprus is part of the EU, goods from any area of Cyprus
not under effective control of the Government of the Republic of Cyprus are
treated as non-EU imports.
Although Gibraltar is part of the EU, it is outside the Community customs
territory. The customs allowances for outside the EU therefore apply.