Brian Kirby Posted November 17, 2010 Share Posted November 17, 2010 But remember, if you buy the baccy in Spain, and then traverse France, or if you buy in Czechland or Hungary (etc), and then traverse Germany, you may be stopped by the French or German customs respectively. They are not answerable to the UK courts, and have periodic purges on people taking tobacco bought (cheaper) elsewhere into their countries. They won't generally accept that the ultimate destination is UK, so it is not their problem, either. They will impound or fine for what are deemed excess quantities. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Jones Posted November 18, 2010 Share Posted November 18, 2010 We've been stopped a couple of times over the last few years by "douanes" (customs), even though miles from any border. Since we're non-smokers (and non-traders!) it wasn't an issue for us, but they explained they were looking for people who'd bought cigarettes etc from Spain, Andorra, Luxembourg, or wherever. As in so many things in France, the law may technically be on your side but do you really want to argue with the man with the sunglasses and the gun? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tomo3090 Posted November 18, 2010 Share Posted November 18, 2010 Don't forget either that just because you clear customs at your port of entry it doesn't mean they can't come to your house, or stop you on the motorway to check over your bounty. Customs have amazing powers of entry and ability to access bank accounts and such. Especially important if you have a business and have tax issues later on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
magbrin Posted November 23, 2010 Author Share Posted November 23, 2010 Derek Uzzell - 2010-11-16 6:44 PM This site may be useful http://gouk.about.com/od/tripplanning/ss/customsexcise.htm (For the 'banned' stuff, keeping clicking "Next >" until you reach Page 4 of 5.) . Just been checking this out - Thanks. It says "meat, milk and other animal products" are banned. Does this include ALL animal products (food) including cheese? How thorough/rigid are they - is it more likely that they will confiscate the open packet of Iberico in the fridge or vacuum sealed ambient temperature pate? ...................... or both? Has anyone had any experience? BTW we're non smokers and would not bring any tobacco back for anyone even as a gift :D :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Dwight Posted November 23, 2010 Share Posted November 23, 2010 We have never been stopped from bringing stuff in, and very often come back with meat, milk and certainly cheese. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Peter James Posted November 23, 2010 Share Posted November 23, 2010 Mel B - 2010-11-16 6:48 PM As above, we also tend to now buy wine in the 1.5 litre boxes, it tends to be cheaper and good quality and it much easier to pack in the van - plus as there's no glass bottle it weighs less so you can carry more. Be aware that wine in boxes does not keep as long as wine in glass bottles. This is because plastic bags are slightly porous, not totally airtight like glass. This is why wine boxes tend to be date coded, unlike glass bottles. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Peter James Posted November 23, 2010 Share Posted November 23, 2010 Tomo3090 - 2010-11-18 10:36 AM Don't forget either that just because you clear customs at your port of entry it doesn't mean they can't come to your house, or stop you on the motorway to check over your bounty. Customs have amazing powers of entry and ability to access bank accounts and such. Especially important if you have a business and have tax issues later on. Exactly. Some people don't realize the Customs have even more power than the police. Apparently this dates from the time their powers were given to them by the King. He had his own police force with unlimited powers to protect himself, the Police were only there to protect the public. So the tax collectors were more important to him than the Police because they were his source of income. If you take the tax collectors to court you are using your own time and money, whilst they are using public money and being paid. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest pelmetman Posted November 23, 2010 Share Posted November 23, 2010 Peter James - 2010-11-23 9:18 PM Be aware that wine in boxes does not keep as long as wine in glass bottles. This is because plastic bags are slightly porous, not totally airtight like glass. This is why wine boxes tend to be date coded, unlike glass bottles. Blimey 8-) sometimes our box of wine is a week old (lol) (lol) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
magbrin Posted November 24, 2010 Author Share Posted November 24, 2010 magbrin - 2010-11-23 8:27 PM Derek Uzzell - 2010-11-16 6:44 PM This site may be useful http://gouk.about.com/od/tripplanning/ss/customsexcise.htm (For the 'banned' stuff, keeping clicking "Next >" until you reach Page 4 of 5.) . Just been checking this out - Thanks. It says "meat, milk and other animal products" are banned. Does this include ALL animal products (food) including cheese? How thorough/rigid are they - is it more likely that they will confiscate the open packet of Iberico in the fridge or vacuum sealed ambient temperature pate? ...................... or both? Has anyone had any experience? To answer my own question - for anyone who may be interested: http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/customs/banned-restricted.htm#2 "Animal food products If you're travelling or sending goods from an EU country or from Andorra, Canary Islands, Channel Islands, Isle of Man, Liechtenstein, Norway, San Marino and Switzerland, you can bring in any meat, dairy or other animal products as long as they are free from diseases and for your own consumption." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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