Airport layouts are very clever, always shepherding you through the duty free.
And anyone who stops to buy bottles of their favourite tipple, perfume or gifts risks being caught out by a travel rule that isn't well-known.
While duty-free is usually somewhat tempting, there is actually a limit to how much you can buy without declaring it.
Your duty-free allowance means you can bring in a certain amount of goods for your own use without paying duty or tax.
Did you know you are only allowed to bring one litre of spirits in your luggage?
Flight-comparison site Jetcost carried out a survey among Brits and found 47% of people asked didn’t realise there was any restriction on the amount of what you could bring back.
Why you shouldn’t pay to choose your seats on a plane
The survey showed that 90% of respondents don’t know how much spirits they are allowed to bring in.
You and your baggage can be checked for anything that must be declared.
You may be asked to:
- pay tax or duty
- give up banned goods
- produce documents for restricted goods, for example licences and permits
Alcohol allowance
How much you can bring depends on the type of drink. You can bring in:
Beer - 16 litres
Wine (not sparkling) - four litres
You can also bring in either:
Spirits and other liquors over 22% alcohol - one litre
Fortified wine (for example port, sherry), sparkling wine and alcoholic drinks up to 22% alcohol - two litres
You can also split this last allowance. For example, you could bring one litre of fortified wine and half a litre of spirits (both half of your allowance).
You may have to pay Excise Duty on alcohol you declare.
Tobacco allowance
You can bring in one from the following: 200 cigarettes, 100 cigarillos, 50 cigars or 250g tobacco
You can split this allowance - so you could bring in 100 cigarettes and 25 cigars (both half of your allowance).
You may have to pay Excise Duty on tobacco you declare.
Allowance for other goods
You can bring in other goods worth up to £390 (or up to £270 if you arrive by private plane or boat).
If a single item’s worth is more than your allowance you pay any duty or tax on its full value, not just the value above the allowance.
If you go over your allowance
You pay Customs Duty on anything you bring in above your allowance.
The rate is 2.5% for goods worth up to £630
It depends on the type of goods if they’re worth more than £630 - check by calling the VAT, Customs and Excise Helpline.
Import VAT
You may have to pay import VAT on the total value of the goods plus duty. The VAT rates are the standard UK rates.
The cruise ships and mega-yachts sailing into Wales in 2019
