EU Customs & Non EU Customs

Tax and Duty Free Allowances
Within the EU

‘Duty free’ refers to alcohol, pure perfume and tobacco which is purchased overseas and for which no tax is paid. All other produce available after security in an airport is referred to as Tax Free. Due to legislation changes in 1999, Duty Free has ceased to be available to those travelling within the EU, but Tax Free is available on an unlimited quantity of fragrances, gifts, souvenirs, jewellery, electrical goods and cosmetics.

Provided you pay the tax when purchasing tobacco and alcohol in the EU, you do not have to pay further tax or duty when bringing these items back into the UK. You are however only permitted to bring back a certain quantity of tobacco or alcohol without being answerable to questions from customs officials. Furthermore all items brought back must be for personal use or for use as gifts; it is illegal to bring items back to be resold. Appearing at the airport with quantities in excess of the following may elicit suspicion:

From some EU countries there are however limits on the amount of tobacco products you can bring back. These are;

* There is no limit on other tobacco products as long as they are for personal use.

Outside of the EU
If travelling into the UK from outside of the EU you are still entitled to take advantage of Duty Free. The entitlement is:

Customs Procedures
Please use the Blue Channel when travelling to the UK directly from another EU Country unless you have something to declare.

If you have something to declare in excess of the above allowances go to the Red Channel.
If you have nothing to declare you do not need to go through a red or green channel - at Manchester Airport you will leave through the blue exit.

BUT

Even if you pass through the ‘Nothing to Declare’ channel you may have your luggage examined, customs carry out selective checks to look for the following prohibited (that is banned) or restricted goods:
* Drugs

* Firearms and ammunition

* Offensive Weapons (such as flick knives)

* Obscene Materials

* Indecent and Obscene material featuring children

* Items that threaten health and the environment

Any traveller coming into the UK could still be asked some questions to help protect the UK against illegal import of these items. HM Customs and Excise needs your help to prevent smuggling.

Meat, Food and Plants
There are strict controls on the import of meat, food and plants and the guidelines should be adhered to, if you bring items that are not allowed or exceed the allowances there are penalties. To check the law on restrictions and allowances please visit www.defra.gov.uk

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