Press Release: Commission moves against UK over travellers’ rights to bring home alcohol and tobacco

The European Commission has decided to send the United Kingdom a formal request for information about its application of EU law relating to excise duties on tobacco and alcohol. All EU citizens have a right to buy tobacco and alcohol in other Member States, duty paid, for non-commercial use and to bring these products home. The Commission is concerned that the controls currently being applied at UK ports and airports, and the sanctions being applied when UK excise duty law is breached, may breach the EU rules which give travellers the right to buy abroad.