fiqs8sjn5by0n

Goodbye Duty Free inside the EU

By mike | January 6, 2009

  • Goodbye Duty Free!

    From today there is no longer duty free sales for travel within the European Union (with a tiny exception or two eg the Aland Islands).

    I will miss you Duty Free, but my liver will probably be grateful!

    Now, this means there will be some free trolley space on those intra-European flights. Could that mean more room for better food/drinks?? I can only dream I suppose...

    Still, there is always Switzerland, Norway and Eastern Europe to travel to...




    [This message has been edited by Austman (edited 07-01-1999).]


  • That's remarkable, Austman. It certainly seesm contrary to the principles of the single market and freedom of movement. Has anyone challenged it in the European courts yet?

    James


  • Now I might be wrong, but the way I understand the changes are as follows:

    After July 1 it's not possible to BUY goods at duty free prices when travelling within the EU. But you can buy what you want at duty paid prices. The duty is charged by the country in which the goods are purchased and that rate varies depending on the country.

    However import rules and restrictions will not change after July 1.

    Sweden is a member of the EU and even before July 1, it was only possible to import 1 litre of spirits, 5 litres of wine, 15 litres of beer and 200 cigarettes etc. from other EU countries. As far as I know, these limits do not change after July 1. (I hope I'm wrong!)

    And yes, there have been many challenges to Sweden's 'alcohol politic' and they have always failed. The EU is sensitive to these 'cultural' differences it seems. And believe me, the topic of alcohol is endlessly discussed in Swedish politics.

    I believe it will be a few years yet before a true unrestricted movement of these particular goods is allowed into Sweden from other EU countries.


    [This message has been edited by Austman (edited 07-02-1999).]


  • it is the way Austman describes it. It is (not yet) a free market on many (individually high taxed or politically "sensitive" products) things: like alcohol, nicotine, petrol, medicine, etc., etc.


  • .. and at the largest swiss duty-free-shops (run by SR) in Zurich and Bern (not in Basel) you also get Qualiflyer-miles (1 mile per 1 SFr, minimum purchase SFr 50) plus the usual miles from your credit-card.


  • Not quite true. For Sweden the limit for spirits stays at one litre. It does not matter where you bought it or what price you paid. Only one litre is allowed in per adult. Any more than that and you pay Swedish taxes. It's different rules again in Denmark.

    There is no absolute free movement of purchased goods within the EU when it comes to alcohol. Not yet...

    Oh, the politics of it all.


    [This message has been edited by Austman (edited 07-01-1999).]


  • Nowadays you can take home as much as you can carry (single market, etc.) so if you go to a low duty country like France or Italy, the prices are still very attractive. It is still very worthwhile travelling to those countries from the UK/Sweden where, for example alcohol duty is 9x higher than in Italy. Vast numbers of Briitsh people hire vans, drive through the Channel tunnel to France and load them up with booze and cigarettes because they save a fortune. In fact, the tax on road fuel is so high in the UK, it costs less to drive a large truck from Southern England to France, fill it there and drive it back, than it does to fill it at home!

    Funny things duties. http://talk.flyertalk.com/forum/frown.gif







    • #If you have any other info about this subject , Please add it free.#
    Your name:
    E-mail:
    Telphone:

    Your comments:


    If you have any other info about Goodbye Duty Free inside the EU , Please add it free.

    Topics: enart.xn--fiqs8sjn5by0n.com | edit

    Cash Loan: Affable Financial Assistance for Emergencies Learn Spoken English Through the Correct Method