Advertisement
If you have a new account but are having problems posting or verifying your account, please email us on hello@boards.ie for help. Thanks :)
Hello all! Please ensure that you are posting a new thread or question in the appropriate forum. The Feedback forum is overwhelmed with questions that are having to be moved elsewhere. If you need help to verify your account contact hello@boards.ie
Hi there,
There is an issue with role permissions that is being worked on at the moment.
If you are having trouble with access or permissions on regional forums please post here to get access: https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058365403/you-do-not-have-permission-for-that#latest

Wine from France through Customs

  • 08-03-2007 1:30pm
    #1
    10-10-20
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,071 ✭✭✭


    Hi, I'm sure that this has been asked a number of times before - but I can't search the archive as it appears to be down. Google Cache is blocked from my work also...

    So, I'm brining in wine for my Wedding this summer and am bringing a van over. My question is whether a wedding is considered 'personal consumption' under the Revenue definition http://www.revenue.ie/faqs/faq_cat5.htm#q1.
    I'm going to be bringing in 240 bottles (it's a large wedding) and I heard a second-hand horror story about a guy bringing in wine and having the wine and van seized at Rosslare.

    Any personal experiences with this?

    I'm buying from a Sommeliers (wine specialist) instead of a warehouse, and I'm going to save >€3000 over what the Hotel was going to charge for a similar wine and similar quantity.


Comments

  • #2
    Theta
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,760 ✭✭✭Theta


    I presume that once your not selling it for profit and using for your own use ie. your wedding. That its fine. I think it only becomes an issue if you were selling it or making money off it!


  • #3
    olaola
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,140 ✭✭✭olaola


    You should be fine -
    The customs guys would usually see the same fellas go through again and again, so the fact that they won't recognise you will be in your favour.
    I don't really think the whole 'Wedding' thing will be an issue. All they really
    want to know is that you aren't selling it on.

    I have brought over loads of wine in the past - sometimes for friends weddings too - never any questions.

    Are you doing a mini cruise or are you going over for longer?

    OH! If you are feeling doubly paranoid bring some evidence of your upcoming wedding!! (or the missus with the engagement ring :) )

    Where are you getting your wine BTW? I'm getting married myself in August, and I'm heading to France in May.


  • #4
    matrim
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,518 ✭✭✭matrim


    You should be fine. My father went over recently and brought back nearly 300 bottles. He said customs just glanced in and then let them through. He wasn't even asked if they were for personal use.


  • #5
    10-10-20
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,071 ✭✭✭10-10-20


    Hi, thanks for your comments.
    I'm going over for a few days and staying in a Friends house near Fougeres - 2 hours from Cherbourg.
    I'm purchasing through these guys: http://www.sommeliers-cavistes.com/services.htm and due to the volume I'm ordering off them, I'm getting a better rate on the plonk.
    I've been very lucky in that I have a number of French speakers here at work who have been translating for me (I have French, but not enough to transact a deal like this) and I owe them a bottle or two!
    But in saying that, I wouldn't expect that Bablefish would prevent you from striking a deal if you want to get away from the wine warehouses. One of the bottles I'm ordering (Chablis, Dampt, 2005) was recently seen priced as £33 (sterling!) in a restaurant, and I negotiated it for ~€7.50. The nearest bottle of similar (Sancerre for example) was €62 on the hotel wine list, so it's well worth the trip.


Advertisement