French customs attitude to goods bought in Spain Forums

DollarYen

I think you will find that the UK guidelines are for 3200 cigarettes. I don't think you will have any problems with spanish booze. They are not interested. None of these guidelines have any legal standing whatsoever it's just there desire to screw more tax out of you. It's a wheeze invented by the brits and now adopted by the french. No doubt they will get a slap on the wrist from the european court at some point.

Carper

cronkle

We were stopped on the auto-route near Abbeville last summer. Very obviously customs-about six of them. All very polite and careful. Even a bit of toilet humour about the cassette locker!

I was asked where I had been and when I said Spain their ears pricked up (I think it would have been the same any other country). They then asked if I had any weapons, drugs or spirits. I bit back on the smart a**e answers and said yes to spirits. He then asked to have a look and I showed him about ten bottles of spirits. He didn't seem bothered but asked to look around the van.

My understanding is the same as Boff's. They are 'enforcing' to the same guide-lines as our customs people.

bobandjane

We have not had any trouble with the french. But I would advise that you did not try to hide it. You stand a good chance of not being checked so don't worry. They are all the same if you did not buy it in their country! We had it with the Spanish Customs when we came out of Gibraltar we never hide it and they told us off and let us go. I think you just pay the tax on it. A friend of mine hid it in his lorry and they impounded it and he got a heavy fine. It depends on how silly amount you have.

Good tip about the cat OLLY but ours is about 17 I don't think she wants a passport Just likes to sleep and eat!

Good Luck Bob.

blob1

DollarYen

Gibraltar cigarettes are tax free. Gib is not part of the EEC for customs purposes and therefore subject to a limit of 200 cigarettes.

pedrob1

A few of my motorhome freinds were stoped on their way home through France this year and searched in fact one was stoped three times and the customs were looking for cigs and acording to them you are only allowed to carry 200 pkt [10x20]through france and this applys to the french as well and they are using an old law that states you need a permit to transport tobaco in france but as we know now that cigs are a lot more expensive in france than in spain they are using this excuse i dont know if you buy cigs in the south of france at their prices would they say anything probably not and the french customs say if you are not happy take us to court ? so much for being in the EU

pippin