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so this is probably going to get me flamed but here goes..

36 replies

nervousal · 25/06/2008 21:19

Is it legal to buy cigarettes on-line? HAve found a site which is selling cigs really cheap from abroad. I remember that this was being discussed in media a while ago re whether or not it was legal. Anybody know??

OP posts:
southeastastra · 25/06/2008 21:21

it wouldn't be legal as you aren't paying tax on them

notasheep · 25/06/2008 21:21

they prob wont be real cigarettes!

stitch · 25/06/2008 21:22

i doubt itis illegal, but they willl presumably be posting them to you? if sok, they will have to fill out a customs and excise form. which means that you will have to pay the tax on it.
dsis once sent me some clothes fromj pakistan as present. i ended up having to pay 27 pounds to the tax man, even though they were a birthday present, andincluded stuff for dd. it was either pay up, or be taken to court. dh told me to stop standing up for theprinciple of it, and ruining our credit rating.

Divastrop · 25/06/2008 21:22

i dont know but i doubt it,and they'd probably be rank anyway(fake dodgey crap)

flubdub · 25/06/2008 21:22

Iv looked too for dp. Backy is really cheap too. Sometimes theyre made from different stuff, and a lot of the websites require a kind of balance transfer, where you have to put the money in your bank and send it to them.

PeachyHidingInTheShed · 25/06/2008 21:23

goodness knows what extra carcinogenic crap there'd be in those- yuck

nervousal · 25/06/2008 21:25

well - you would be paying tax on them - in the country where they are from. Surely don't have to pay additional tax if for own use? And its a reputable site - so they are real, only contain the stuff that will kill me relatively slowly asopposed to the stuff that will kill me a wee bit quicker

OP posts:
BooshBaby · 25/06/2008 21:26

I did this once.

Did it 3 times, first two times the cigarettes arrived no bother. 3rd time, no cigarettes arrived, but instead a letter from HM customs saying they had been seized. I could pay the tax, or not bother. I didn't bother, it was around £40. So, I lost my £17 or whatever it was. I basically ignored the letter, and never heard anything more.

Its up to you whether you want to take the rick and see if they make it to you or not.

Oh, and they weren't fake, or if they were they were perfect fakes.

BooshBaby · 25/06/2008 21:26

I did this once.

Did it 3 times, first two times the cigarettes arrived no bother. 3rd time, no cigarettes arrived, but instead a letter from HM customs saying they had been seized. I could pay the tax, or not bother. I didn't bother, it was around £40. So, I lost my £17 or whatever it was. I basically ignored the letter, and never heard anything more.

Its up to you whether you want to take the rick and see if they make it to you or not.

Oh, and they weren't fake, or if they were they were perfect fakes.

BooshBaby · 25/06/2008 21:27

Ooh - sorry!

stitch · 25/06/2008 21:28

you have to pay tax as you are importing them. even if for personal use. which is why when youbring ciggies over, you are only allowed to bring a certain number over.
the government will have their share. i wouldnt try it if i were you. even if theyturn out to be the best tobacco ever. youwill end up paying for them.
(my clothes cost a lot less than 27 pounds. but that was the tax value customs and excise decided on)

nervousal · 25/06/2008 21:30

thanks - probably worth the risk if onlt buying 6 packs for 14 euros? I would only be buying for own use - why is it importing if order them over net, but not if buying personally?

OP posts:
stitch · 25/06/2008 21:33

they customs and excise people make up their own rules. i have been stung, so never again. if you want to risk it, fine. go ahead

PeachyHidingInTheShed · 25/06/2008 21:34

erm, i'm not sure they do actually lol (ex c&e employee)

expatinscotland · 25/06/2008 21:34

probably better to find someone from E. Europe or who goes to Europe and buys them and then sells them.

hf128219 · 25/06/2008 21:35

As a Customs' Officer this is definitely illegal!

Tinker · 25/06/2008 21:36

I'd read this if I were you

hf128219 · 25/06/2008 21:38

You aren't a colleague are you?!

nervousal · 25/06/2008 21:39

thank you - makes it pretty clear. Going over to Spain in few weeks, so will just stock up there.

OP posts:
hf128219 · 25/06/2008 21:40

Can you get me 600?!

whomovedmychocolate · 25/06/2008 21:41

There's no tax on nicotine replacement therapy

nervousal · 25/06/2008 21:42

lol hf - whats it worth???

who - no there's not - but then there's no smoke in it either....

OP posts:
Divastrop · 25/06/2008 21:43

thats because NRT is crap.

hf128219 · 25/06/2008 21:48

Oh, a couple of grand.

PeachyHidingInTheShed · 26/06/2008 11:56

hf no lol, used to work in the VAT office handli9ng VAT and customs queries- like most places it has closed down now

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