§ Mr. KnowlesTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what limit will be imposed on the quantity of tobacco products which an individual may import into the United Kingdom from other EC countries for personal consumption after 1993.
§ Mrs. Gillian ShephardFrom 1 January 1993 there will be no restriction on tobacco products purchased duty-paid in another EC country and brought into the United Kingdom by private individuals for their personal use. To help distinguish genuine private importations from those of a commercial nature liable to United Kingdom duty, the following indicative levels will apply in accordance with the agreement reached at the ECOFIN Council on 16 December 1991
800 Cigarettes400 Cigarillos200 Cigars1.0 kg Smoking tobaccoThe December ECOFIN meeting also decided to retain duty-free shopping for travel within the EC until 1 July 1999. Travellers will be able to purchase duty-free tobacco products up to the level of the current duty free allowance, in addition to any goods they have obtained from duty-paid sources.
§ Mr. KnowlesTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what action the Customs and Excise will take to prevent smuggling of tobacco products from other EC countries into the United Kingdom after 1993.
§ Mrs. Gillian ShephardCustoms and Excise are planning a range of anti-smuggling measures for 1993. These will be largely intelligence based, allowing additional inland resources to be targeted to both detect and deter any growth in illicit trade. This strategy will be supported by the minimum indicative levels agreed at the 16 December ECOFIN which will help to distinguish private purchases for personal consumption from commercial trade.
The Department of Health's Tobacco Labelling Regulations, which require health warnings in English on all tobacco products sold in the United Kingdom, will also aid identification of illicit importations.