Customs and Excise: Confiscation of Products for Personal Consumption

HL Deb 01 November 2004 vol 666 cc12-3WA

Lord Lawson of Blaby

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What is the lowest quantity of cigarettes or alcohol brought into this country for personal consumption which has been confiscated by HM Customs and Excise. [HL4591]

Lord McIntosh of Haringey

The information requested could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Travellers entering the UK from countries outside the EU are entitled to a statutory allowance and Customs may seize any quantity of cigarettes or alcohol over these limits.

For a transitional period limits also remain in place on the amount of tobacco products that travellers can bring back from eight of the member states that joined the EU on 1 May 2004, and again, any amounts in excess of these restrictions may be seized.

Customs do not confiscate EU duty paid tobacco and alcohol from travellers entering the UK from the existing pre 1 May 2004 member states of the EU where they believe those goods are for their own use.