bang goes the duty free???????

[Wolfie]

France outlaws tobacco tourism

NOBODY in France will be allowed to carry more than ten packets of cigarettes outside their home under a Bill passed by parliament yesterday

Under the legislation, Britons who buy large quantities of cheap cigarettes in Belgium or Spain will be liable to fines if they try to bring them back through France.
Link to full article:
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,13509-1846565,00.html

 

[R2B2]

Don't think affects anyone from UK going to France or Belgium to buy low tax fags/tobacco Andy (we haven't had duty free for ages now). Just means you can't come back thru France.

That is aimed at French folk going to Belgium etc to buy stuff that appears to have less tax than France?

That's the way I read it mate......

 

[Wolfie]

except if you go across on the tunnel and go to belguim and then come back through france, you are then furbared, also it says you can only carry 10 packets of fags, can carry more than that at the moment can we not????

 

[Jaws]

Is that legal within the EU constitution ?
Mind you the rules have never ever bothered the French Govt before so why would they suddenly worry about it now !

 

[R2B2]

also it says you can only carry 10 packets of fags, can carry more than that at the moment can we not????

Yeah, I think you can.

Just read thru that story again and it looks like it will run into legal trouble from the European Commission.

Near the top of the story it says.......

"Under the legislation, Britons who buy large quantities of cheap cigarettes in Belgium or Spain will be liable to fines if they try to bring them back through France."

Then, a bit further down it says....

"Xavier Bertrand, the Health Minister, told MPs that he ?fully shared their concern? about imported cigarettes but could not back the Bill for legal reasons. Under EU single market rules, France had no right to limit the flow of tobacco products bought outside the country and M Bertrand said that the European Commission would probably take legal action if the measure were confirmed.

Britain reluctantly accepted the free passage of tobacco for personal use from the Continent because of the same rules."

So, in theory, it looks like nothing should change.....?? Although it probably will until the EC takes action.

 

[Rolfy Dave]

except if you go across on the tunnel and go to belguim and then come back through france, you are then furbared, also it says you can only carry 10 packets of fags, can carry more than that at the moment can we not????

Just wondered if you meant FUBAR'ed (Fecked Up Beyond All Recognition) Mate...

Personally I enjoy a bit of bare fur once in a while (on the missus, of course...LOL)

Best to ya Wolfie,

Rolfy
:beer:

PS... It dont matter to me coz we dont smoke ( I gave it up to buy the bird...)