Duty Free Allowances ...

Tax free shopping is available to any passenger travelling within the EU or International long haul, whilst passengers flying outside of the EU are also entitled to Duty Free products that offer extra savings.

Passengers should take note of the customs allowances outlined below, as well as items that are prohibited and restricted from being brought into the UK from any destination.

Duty Free & The EU ...

Tax free shopping prices are equivalent to the selling price before Value Added Tax at 17.5% has been added. A price comparison tag on goods at the airport will show which products are available at tax free prices.

Passengers may need to pay tax on purchases when arriving at the final destination outside the EU, or when bringing the purchases back. However, certain products are excluded, such as items from bookstores, newsagents, pharmacies, duty paid items, etc.

Duty Free products offer extra savings to passengers travelling outside of the EU. The following 25 countries are currently in the European Union:

EU Member Nations

Austria Belgium, Cyprus*, Czech Rep, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, The Irish Republic, Italy Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, The Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain**, Sweden, UK***

* The whole of Cyprus is part of the EU, however, goods from any area in Cyprus not under effective control of the Government of the Republic of Cyprus, are treated as non-EU imports

** Not Including the Canary Islands

*** Not including The Channel Islands

Although Gibraltar is part of the EU, it is outside the Community Customs territory, and therefore, customs allowances for outside the EU apply.

Passengers should keep their boarding card handy as this will need to be presented each time a purchase is made after security.

Passengers can visit the World Duty Free website before travelling to see the fragrances, beauty products, tobacco and alcohol available from the airport duty free. The website also offers the low down on the products available and some handy Duty Free hints and tips. Click Here to visit the World Duty Free website (www.worlddutyfree.com)

UK Airport customs allowances ...

Duty and tax free allowances vary depending on each passenger’s final destination.

When travelling from the EU into the UK, the following items can be bought without incurring customs duty:

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

1 Litre of alcoholic beverages stronger than 22%, or 2 Litres of still table wine, or fortified or sparkling wine, or other liqueurs

50g of perfume and 250ml of toilet water

Other goods including souvenirs up to the value of £145

Goods obtained duty and tax paid in the EU are unlimited

The Channel Islands are treated as being outside of the EU for the Duty Free section.

If you bring goods into an EU Country that have had tax paid, no tax or duty will have to be paid on them when entering the UK. However, any alcohol or tobacco brought into the Country must be transported by the passenger and for the passengers own use (i.e. own consumption and gifts).

Any goods brought into the Country for resale or for payment of any kind, will be regarded as for commercial purpose.

If Customs have any reason to suspect that goods are being brought into the Country for commercial purpose, a Customs Officer is likely to ask you a selection of questions and make checks.

An idea of questions that a Customs Officer may ask are the type and quantity of goods that have been bought, why they were bought and how much was paid, how often the passenger travels and how much alcohol and tobacco the passenger normally consumes. Any other relevant circumstances may also be covered.

A Customs Officer will also take into account whether the excess goods look as though they have been concealed, or whether they have been visibly displayed.

Customs are likely to suspect if the following quantities are being imported:

3,200 cigarettes

200 cigars

400 cigarillos

3kg tobacco

110 Litres of beer

90 Litres of wine

10 Litres of spirits

20 Litres of fortified wine (i.e. port or sherry)

If Customs consider that the goods being imported are for commercial use, the goods may be seized and not returned. Likewise, if you are caught selling alcohol or tobacco goods, they may be seized. This is a serious offence and could result in up to seven years in prison.

Most Countries have their own laws on how much tobacco and alcohol you may have in your possession. Some Countries require you to carry documents covering the goods in your possession. When planning on buying larger amounts of alcohol or tobacco, check with the Country’s Authorities before you purchase the goods.

When arriving back in the UK passengers must collect the exact amount of goods that were bought and stored on the aircraft for the duration of the flight.

NOTE: Some EU Countries have their own special rules for cigarettes and some tobacco products:

Special Restrictions

Czech Republic 200 cigarettes, or

250g smoking tobacco, or

50 cigars, or

100 cigarillos

Estonia 200 cigarettes, or

250g of smoking tobacco*

Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia & Slovenia 200 Cigarettes*

* From these Countries, there is no limit on other tobacco products as long as they are for the passengers own consumption.

Restricted / Prohibited Items ...

The following items are prohibited from being brought into the UK from any destination:

Unlicensed drugs

Offensive weapons

Indecent and obscene material featuring children

Counterfeit and pirated goods

Meat, dairy and other animal products

The following items are restricted from being brought into the UK from any destination:

Firearms, explosives and ammunition

Pornography

Live animals, endangered species, certain plants and their produce

Radio transmitters