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23/11/2006
Court rules against online booze and cigarettes purchase
The European Court of Justice has ruled against allowing consumers to purchase alcohol and cigarettes online from other countries to avoid paying UK tax.
European judges ruled that customers wishing to take advantage of cheaper goods from other countries would need to bring the goods back themselves.
The European Court's ruling stated "only products acquired and transported personally by private individuals are exempt from excise duty in the member state of importation."
The decision is disappointing for consumers, but is good news for the Treasury, UK retailers and ferry firms that organise 'booze cruise' trips.
The Treasury already loses more than £1 billion in excise duty because of booze cruises each year, but allowing customers to purchase cheap alcohol and cigarettes online would have cost the government considerably more.
The court case had been brought by a Dutch wine club, who regularly purchased wines from France and objected to being charged more duty for importing the wine into their own country.
(KMcA/EF)
European judges ruled that customers wishing to take advantage of cheaper goods from other countries would need to bring the goods back themselves.
The European Court's ruling stated "only products acquired and transported personally by private individuals are exempt from excise duty in the member state of importation."
The decision is disappointing for consumers, but is good news for the Treasury, UK retailers and ferry firms that organise 'booze cruise' trips.
The Treasury already loses more than £1 billion in excise duty because of booze cruises each year, but allowing customers to purchase cheap alcohol and cigarettes online would have cost the government considerably more.
The court case had been brought by a Dutch wine club, who regularly purchased wines from France and objected to being charged more duty for importing the wine into their own country.
(KMcA/EF)
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