cigarettes on epic

[doemichael]

Hi

 

Can anyone from UK who has sailed before on Epic explain about buying cigarettes to bring back home again.

 

Can I buy say 5 cartons on board to bring back or would I be better buying them in Barcelona? If I buy in Barcelona is there any issue taking them onboard or should I wait until I get off the ship and buy at airport on way back .

 

thanks

[mpk218]

;)

Duty Free Allowance / Tax Free Allowance

 

When travelling from the EU* to the UK you can bring in an unlimited amount of most goods you have bought in another EU country without paying tax or duty as long as tax was included in the price when you purchased the items, the items are for your own use, and have been transported to the UK by you. This includes gifts, but does not include any item that is intended to be used as payment or to be resold.

 

Although there are no limits on the amount of alcohol and tobacco you can bring in from the EU, a Customs Officer is more likely to ask about the purposes for which you hold the goods if you bring large quantities of them. This will most likely be the case if you appear at the airport with more than:

•800 cigarettes, or 400 cigarillos, or 200 cigars, or 1 kg of smoking tobacco

•110 litres of beer

•10 litres of spirits

•90 litres of wine

•20 litres of fortified wine e.g. port or sherry

 

* The EU countries currently include: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus (Greek part), Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Irish Republic, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain (but not the Canary Islands), Sweden and the United Kingdom (but not the Channel Islands).

 

When travelling from outside the EU to the UK you are allowed to bring in the following amount of duty/tax free goods, provided you travel with the items and do not intend to sell them (if you go over this allowance, you may have to pay duty and/or tax):

•200 cigarettes, or 100 cigarillos, or 50 cigars, or 250g of tobacco

•4 litres of still wine

•1 litre of spirits or strong liqueurs over 22% volume or 2 litres of fortified wine, sparkling wine or other liqueurs thar are less than 22% volume

•16 litres of beer

•up to £390 worth of all other goods including gifts, perfume and souvenirs (£270 if arriving by private plane or private boat

[SteveH2508]

When the Jade did a fully EU itinerary there was no 'Duty-Free' drinks or smokes :(. I would assume that it is the same on the Epic. It all depends on the itinerary - 1 port of call outside the list posted above and then Happy Days. :D

 

Be aware that if it is a closed-EU itinerary starting from Barcelona you will pay 8% Spanish VAT on all extra drinks and food for the whole cruise. :mad:

[Single Cruiser]

Also a lot of UK brands are not sold onboard. As it stays in the EU there is no duty free and I bought some for the rels from Barcelona airport at the EU tax price still half UK. My Mum smokes L&B which wasn't onboard!

[doemichael]

Thanks for reples, all EU ports so guess buying in Barcelona will be best option.