Customs and cigarettes.

orchidsrpretty

Hi all I am recieving a bit of conflicting advice re the amount of cigarettes I can take back with when on hols in the EU. On the revenue site it states that the limit is 800. but then goes on to say if you are importing more you have to prove its for personal use. Plus there are threads like this here http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055852724&highlight=cigarette+allowance

I don't smoke but would be buying them for my brother, so how would they make someone prove they are for personal use?


TIA.

RATM

There is a bit of confusion about this topic. General guideline- if coming from outside the EU the limit is 200. For years Revenue liked to give the misinformation that the limit inside the EU is 800 per person- this limit has turned out to be false and was exposed before an Oireachtas Committee less than 6 months ago. The Revenue, under questioning, admitted that the new EU limit for cigarettes for personal use is 3,000 per person- anything above this can be considered smuggling.

You don't really need 'to prove' they are for personal use- you are typically taken at your word. However, if you had 3,000 cigarettes on you and they were several different brands that could give rise to a belief that they are destined for the black market.

Ensure to have receipts to prove you have paid EU VAT & Duties, otherwise they can be confiscated although a search at Irish airports upon arrival is extremely unlikely.

orchidsrpretty

Thanks for that! I had thought about importing several different brands may raise an eyebrow or two. I will stick to having the same brand and have the receipts handy.

RATM

No worries. But if Im being honest Ive brought home 1000 smokes each of two different brands before- people do do it for sure. Like I said the chances of being stopped at Dublin airport and searched upon arrival home are somewhere between slim and none.

Hmm_Messiah

RATM wrote: »

There is a bit of confusion about this topic. General guideline- if coming from outside the EU the limit is 200. For years Revenue liked to give the misinformation that the limit inside the EU is 800 per person- this limit has turned out to be false and was exposed before an Oireachtas Committee less than 6 months ago. The Revenue, under questioning, admitted that the new EU limit for cigarettes for personal use is 3,000 per person- anything above this can be considered smuggling.

Ensure to have receipts to prove you have paid EU VAT & Duties, otherwise they can be confiscated although a search at Irish airports upon arrival is extremely unlikely.

Don't suppose you have any link to that discussion or some official documentation

would be useful for me

Fratton Fred

If they are for your brother, then technically they are not for personal use are they :pac:

To be honest, your biggest worry will be Dublin Baggage handlers taking them out of your case. make sure they are not too obvious.

ArmaniJeanss

Hmm_Messiah wrote: »

Don't suppose you have any link to that discussion or some official documentation

would be useful for me

Revenue commissioners / Dail Committee.

http://www.independent.ie/national-news/no-limit-for-cheap-holiday-cigarettes-and-drink-2096877.html