Holidays after Brexit: Everything you need to know about customs and duty free

The rules for customs and duty-free are set to change on 29 March

Sneak peek: duty-free bargains will return – along with strict customs limits (Simon Calder)

The UK is set to leave the European Union on 29 March 2019.

Brexit has profound implications for travellers. This is the latest on what we know, what we think we know and what we still don’t know.

Next up: customs and duty free.

What are the current rules on bringing stuff back from the rest of the EU?

“From an EU country you can bring in an unlimited amount of most goods,” says the government.

The conditions are that you must:

(a) transport them yourself.

(b) intend to use them yourself or give them away as a gift.

(c) have paid duty and tax in the country where you bought them.

(d) not bring them in from the Canary Islands, the north of Cyprus, the Channel Islands or Gibraltar – all of which are regarded as outside the European Union for customs’ purposes.

How will things change?

In the event of a no-deal Brexit, immediately imports from all remaining European Union countries will be treated the same as other nations. That means limits on the amount of alcohol you can bring back: one litre of spirits or two litres of sparkling wine, sherry or port; four litres of still wine; and 16 litres of beer.

Up to 200 cigarettes or 250g or tobacco are also allowed.

These apply to travellers aged 17 or over.

In addition, you can bring in other goods worth up to £390.

You will be obliged to pay duty and tax on everything in excess of these amounts; and HM Revenue and Customs says: “If a single item’s worth more than your allowance you pay any duty or tax on its full value, not just the value above the allowance.”

I’ve been living in France for years – will I be charged duty on everything I bought there if I bring it to the UK?

In theory, yes, though it is likely that some flexibility will be shown to people in your position, particularly for possessions which are clearly used.

Does that mean the return of duty-free on cross-Channel ferries and flights to and from Europe?

Yes. While there is little benefit in duty-free wine or beer, the high levels of duty on alcoholic spirits and tobacco mean that ferry lines and airlines will bring back similar duty-free offers as prevailed until 1999, when they were abolished across Europe.

So free “booze cruises” from Dover to Calais may come back – with ferry firms making their money from the high margins on alcohol and tobacco. UK airports will also expect sharply to increase earnings since they will be able to offer lower prices to all travellers while still making handsome profits on strong liquor and cigarettes.