New duty and tax free allowances

Created on 16th of August 2007   Last Modified on the 28th of February 2008

New duty-free allowances for travellers were agreed by the EU Council of Ministers in November 2006. However, these will not be introduced until December 1st, 2008 . The reason for the delay in implementation was the requirement to also update the EU regulation on the customs regime.

Details of the new allowances agreed by the Council of Ministers, but which will not come into force until December, are as follows:

* An increase in the monetary allowance for travellers entering the EU from third countries from the current €175 to €430 for travellers by air and sea and to €300 for those entering across land borders.
* Member States may, if they so wish, apply a lower limit for tobacco allowances (eg 40 instead of 200 cigarettes) to travellers entering the EU by land and by sea.
* The separate quantity allowance for perfume and fragrances will be discontinued and such purchases included in the monetary allowance.
* The allowances for tobacco and alcohol will remain at the current levels, except for the inroduction of a new maximum limit for beer of 16 litres and an increase in the allowance for still wine from 2 to 4 litres.

Full details, as given in the relevant Council Directive, can be viewed by clicking on the link below

It is however stressed that the current allowances will continue to apply up to the 1st December.

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