Wine France Ferry

Ned_led16

Is it legal to bring back 500 bottles of wine from france for personal consumption or do you have to stipulate its for a wedding or a party?

Rulmeq

http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/travel_and_recreation/travel_to_ireland/customs_regulations_for_travellers.html

afatbollix

Its 120 bottles of wine per person in the car is what you are allowed to bring back. You wont be able to take back 500 bottles unless you have quite a few people with you.

Ned_led16

ok 2 adults = 240 bottles of wine.

if i want 1 liter of spirits that will reduce the limit?

zeusnero

afatbollix wrote: »

Its 120 bottles of wine per person in the car is what you are allowed to bring back. You wont be able to take back 500 bottles unless you have quite a few people with you.

do you happen to know what the limit for bottles of spirits is?

afatbollix

The rules are below you can bring in. you dont have to pick one type you can bring in the limit on all types of drink.

Spirits (whiskey, vodka, gin, etc.)
10 litres

Intermediate Products (e.g. sherry, port, etc., excluding sparkling wine)
20 litres

Wine (only 60 litres of sparkling wine allowed)
90 litres

Beer
110 litres

Marcusm

You are entitled to bring back s much as you want provided it is not for resale or as part I a commercial enterprise. The numbers of bottles quoted are those which Customs should not question. If you have adequate evidence or a convincing explanation as to why you're bringing more, you may do so. This issue has been through the courts (up to ECJ) in relation to actions by UK Customs, will not have arisen as rrequently in Ireland due to longer and more costly ferry journey.

P. Breathnach

Marcusm wrote: »

... The numbers of bottles quoted are those which Customs should not question...

That's where confusion arises. Up to the guideline figures, you don't have to make a case; if you want to bring in a greater amount, you have to be able to make a persuasive case.

I have on some occasions marginally exceeded the guideline amounts and been fully upfront about it. Never had a problem. [I have the impression that they are more challenging about tobacco.]

As a side note: 500 bottles of wine is a heavy load (remember that the bottles weigh more than the wine). Be sure that your vehicle is suitable to carry that amount safely.

Effects

It often makes sense to bring it over in bibs (bag in box). Less weight and size, as well as cheaper in price, and then bottle it here. That's what I've done in the past. Last year I had the misfortune of having my car set on fire in Bordeaux. We had 100 litres in the boot. We managed to save anything that was in a bottle but the bibs were destoyed by the fire brigade putting out the fire. Enjoyed poping the cork on a bottle of champagne in the impound yard and drinking it by the neck to see if it had been tainted.

Procrastastudy

I'm suprised you didnt have a fire extinguisher effects! I thought all that was required in France along with the hi-vis vest and breathaliser!

Effects

I thought it was just the hi-vis required. It was too late when I noticed. Got up in the morning and looked down the street from the balcony to see it.

jacko1

the figures are guidelines only - you can bring back as much as you want _ there is NO limit - provided it is not for commercial use

jasonpat

If there is 500 bottles at a time then its for sure there is not a wedding running around there and its not legal for some peoples.

Carawaystick

Jason what??

OP on a practical note, I'd try get the fishnet foam tubing you see in duty frees or offies to wrap the bottles individually, as leaving them in boxes takes up a lot of room

If you were to go on a wine run every two years, 500 bottles wouldn't be unreasonable