Duty free

[doemichael]

Hello

 

We are sailing on Independence of the Seas from Southampton. we have internal Uk flights from Belfast.

 

I was wondering if others have done this and what is the position with bring duty free goods back into Uk on the ship then have to get a flight with this stuff to Belfast.

[SwissDave]

Yes, you can bring duty free back in on a cruise. However, if you are only stopping at EU ports (spain, France, Italy) etc then you will not have an allowance as you will pay local prices, so can bring back what Customs call 'reasonable amount' e.g. 3000 cigs etc.

 

BUT, if you are buying from Gibralter or Canary Islands then the 'old' limits of 200 cigs or 1litre spirits applies. Shop keepers in Gib and Canaries will tell you that you are allowed 800, you are not, many people get caught by this when they arrive back.

 

Don't forget if you buy spirits you will have to pack them in checked baggage for the flight as the 100ml limit still applies if you have bought them from somewhere other than duty free in the airport of departure. Internal flights of course do not qualify for duty free so you would not be able to buy for your flight.

[John Bull]

Expanding on Dave's answer:

You can bring back to the UK, a "reasonable quantity" of EU duty-paid smokes & booze from Spain, Portugal (incl Madeira), Italy etc.

UK customs interpret "a reasonable quantity" as 3200 cigs plus 3kg baccy plus far more booze than you can carry on a flight.

The goods must be for use by you or your household, any suggestion of selling them, even to friends at cost, will result in them being seized.

 

Best value on your cruise is Spain, just one person's allowance of 3200 cigs (16 sleeves) is around £450 cheaper than UK shop prices.

Tabacs near ports or in tourist resorts carry good stocks of UK brands. Prices are regulated, they're the same in all tabacs & no discount for quantity, though some will give you a freebie bottle or cig lighters.

Packs will show that EU duty has been paid, but get a receipt in case customs ask. A decent size suitcase will hold about 25 sleeves, so although weight isn't a problem you won't have much room for clothes etc. The risk of theft is greater if baggage handlers can tell it contains a stack of smokes.

 

For movement of dutiable goods, Gib & the Canaries are treated as non-EU countries & the limit is 200 cigs or baccy plus one litre of spirits & a little wine. This in addition to goods bought in the EU.

 

From time to time, Customs at Southampton have a blitz on ships which have been outside the EU - you can legitimately save a lot of money buying cigs in Spain, you can lose a great deal more if you exceed the limits for Gib or the Canaries. HM Customs concentrate on ciggy smugglers - so much easier than looking for drugs or illegals.:rolleyes:

 

Your internal flight is irrelevant re duty.

 

From the horse's mouth:

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

 

John Bull