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Original poster

how many can i bring back (fags)

28 replies

SHIREENSMOM · 05/04/2004 17:18

i want to got to paris for the day and i dont no how many i can bring back with me could someone please find out for me i would be very gratefull
p.s ive never traveled anywhere before can you go to paris for 1 day just to get fags

OP posts:
Original poster
SHIREENSMOM · 05/04/2004 17:19

i just read my post omg i sound so dumb sorry

OP posts:
Lisa78 · 05/04/2004 17:21

I've no idea Shireensmom but your post has made me grin! And no, you don't sound dumb

spacemonkey · 05/04/2004 17:22

if you buy cigs in France, you're paying French duty on them so you can bring as many as you want back within reason i think

of course if you brought thousands back they would assume you were reselling thm

i order fags on the internet sometimes and they legally send 800 at a time from Spain

Original poster
SHIREENSMOM · 05/04/2004 17:26

how much are they in france ?

OP posts:
Original poster
SHIREENSMOM · 05/04/2004 17:27

how much are they in france ?

OP posts:
Original poster
SHIREENSMOM · 05/04/2004 17:27

wow u can order them on the net

OP posts:
spacemonkey · 05/04/2004 17:49

look here

150percent · 05/04/2004 18:03

Fags in France are 4.5-5 Euro per pack. Spain, Belguim and Luxembourg are cheaper (typically less than 3 Euro).

Buying via the internet is a difficult one - everything is tied up with the interpretation of one clause about transporting the cigarettes. Customs and Excise view that UK VAT and duty are payable and they can and do prosecute (though most of the time they just seize the goods - leaving you to sue for their return!).

FOREST (the smokers rights association) warns on this . Customs link is here .

A Day trip to Bruges/Brussels is better than Paris.

lou33 · 05/04/2004 18:08

The only trouble with ordering them from abraod, is that if they are picked up on entering the uk, you are bound by law to pay the uk tax on them, and they will seize the goods , some bizarre legal loophole. So even if the eu tax is paid, we are still supposed to pay the uk tax, even tho we are an eu country. Grrrrr.

lusciouslouse · 05/04/2004 18:53

European law allows unlimited importation of goods subject to excise duty, such as tobacco on the basis that those goods are for the individuals private personal use and are not ordered for re-sale. As a responsible retailer and to assist UK customs to determine that the goods are for private and personal use we only allow you to order a maximum of 800 same brand cigarettes once a month or the allowable amount of rolling tobacco.

As highlighted below, european law states that the private person ordering the goods must personally arrange transportation of those goods.

The legislation does not indicate that the goods have to be accompanied with the person. Only that the private individual arranges the transportation. (Our customers personally arrange the type of transportation when they order). Neither does it mention distance selling. In current European Legislation there is no reference or legal basis to 'carried or accompanied by'.

We state they must all be the same brand and you may only reorder after 30 days as this is a fair indication they are for your personal private use. You must personally arrange transportation for your goods to comply with european law - this is done by selecting a shipping method after you have added your goods to your shopping trolley.

You are NOT allowed to resell them. This is in line with EEC law on T2 duty paid goods.

Article 8 of the European Directive states that:

"According to the principles governing the internal market, private persons are entitled to bring excisable goods from one member state into another without any restrictions provided that the goods are acquired for their own use and are transported by the private individuals themselves. Excise duties on these products are charged in the member state of purchase and no further excise duties are charged in the Member state of Destination. The objective of this harmonised rule is to ensure the proper functioning of the internal market".

The important point here is that all the tobacco we send you is DUTY and VAT PAID. We have paid all Luxembourg, Belgium and Spain taxes for you.

lusciouslouse · 05/04/2004 18:53

that comes from the fagsdutypaid website by the way!

150percent · 05/04/2004 20:40

Precisely - HM Customs and Excise view that fags posted by mail are not "transported by the private individuals themselves", which they have to be under Article 8 as you have quoted. The website is trying to convince punters that there is a technical legal argument to be made. Unfortunately any court of law (UK and EU) take the view that "transported by the private individual themselves" means just that - not purchased over the internet, or bought from the man down the road who happens to pop across the channel a couple of times a month. Their references to other cases etc shows the site to be a bit of a scam - yes the cases relate to duty paid stuff, but it is more about how C&E were dealing with people coming back from the continent: nothing to do with internet shopping.

Fagsdutypaid seem to be one of the sites targeted by HM C&E. I'm sure lots get through, but if yours are seized you have no right to get them back - even if you offer to pay the UK VAT and duty.

Interesting website though - funny it doesn't mention the comany details, ie its title, where it is located, who owns it etc....

I notice that it does offer to replace fags that are seized, so I guess so long as you know that they would honour that you're OK: without their address I'd personally feel a bit uncomfortable...

150percent · 05/04/2004 20:42

In response to the tile of the thread, HM C&E shouldn't hassle you for 3,200 fags or less. Above that you need to convince them a bit more that it is all for personal use.

Original poster
SHIREENSMOM · 05/04/2004 20:59

so if i bought back a thousand i.e 5 cartons and they knew i only went for one day it would be ok(im just worried about having to prove that they really are for me wich they are. what is the legal limit then is it 3,2oo

oh and another question does it make any diffrence if you fly there and back is customs on plains any diffrent ????? p,s thank you

OP posts:
Original poster
SHIREENSMOM · 05/04/2004 21:02

wot im mean is it i legal to go to paris just for a day just to get cheap fags

OP posts:
150percent · 05/04/2004 21:04

Yes it is legal, I think that 3,200 is now in the UK legislation.

It may not be cost-effective though....

Original poster
SHIREENSMOM · 06/04/2004 11:00

wot do you mean?

OP posts:
spacemonkey · 06/04/2004 11:11

I have bought cigs from that website a few times - never any problems at all and the customer service is good

spacemonkey · 06/04/2004 11:12

yes it is legal to bring them back from france Shireensmom

SenoraPostrophe · 06/04/2004 11:41

sm - what brand do you smoke? I'll stick a few in your dvd parcel, which I still haven't sent!

spacemonkey · 06/04/2004 11:46

OK but only if you let me send some shreddies SP!

I smoke Regal but they're probably not available. My mum always brings back Marlboro Lights for me from Italy

Tinker · 06/04/2004 11:52

spacemonkey - hope you don't give her money for them though, that is illegal.

SenoraPostrophe · 06/04/2004 11:52

oooo regal. Do you have a holder with those?

spacemonkey · 06/04/2004 11:53

LOL no but maybe I should

lou33 · 06/04/2004 11:58

She models herself on Princess Margaret

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