Press Release: Cross-border shopping: Commission decides to take UK to Court over seizures of tobacco and cars

The European Commission decided on 20 October 2004 to refer the United Kingdom to the European Court of Justice over its application of EU law relating to excise duties on tobacco and alcohol. The Commission considers that the UK applies disproportionate sanctions on those EU citizens who buy goods in other Member States, excise duty paid, and then bring these products to the UK, either personally or by post, not for their 'own use' but rather to sell the goods to family, neighbours or friends on a not-for-profit basis. This Commission action followed on earlier letters and a formal request to the UK to change its law.