custums experience

[dongle del]

Im toying with the idea of getting the ferry from Hull to Belgium for cheap baccy for my own use.

I would be interested in your experiences with Custum and Excise.

[Shady]

you shouldnt have any probs unless you bring back more than 1kg or 35 oz

[dongle del]

was thinking of a years supply 2 or 3 kg.

[Shady]

well get ready to have some or all potentially taken off you then, along with your car

[GastonJ]

I once met them when I had 24 kilos of tobacco with me in the boot of my car, I'm a heavy smoker. They weren't unhappy to see me, but packed me on my way with it still and told me they'd never see me again because I had enough tobacco to last my lifetime. That was at Dover many years ago, I haven't been that way since. Was the same day I met Special Branch for the first time as well, but I won't go into that one.

I normally bring 30 or 40 packs back with me when flying (1 to 2 kg), wouldn't bring any more back.

[Shady]

was that post october 2011 gas?

[rds60h]

well get ready to have some or all potentially taken off you then, along with your car

Why ?
If you can prove you smoke or can roll the baccy and you tell them it's for your own use only then it is up to them to prove otherwise.
You can bring in as much booze and baccy/ciggies as you want from another EU country as long as you can reasonably explain the amount.

[Shady]

29 September 2011
On Saturday 1 October 2011, the minimum indicative levels (MILs) for tobacco and cigarettes brought into the UK from the European Union (EU) will be reduced to 800 cigarettes and 1 kg of hand-rolling tobacco, to align them with levels applied elsewhere in Europe.



and pray tell how are you going to prove its for your own use?
Customs do not have to prove anything, if they suspect it, they'll take it

[GastonJ]

That's indicative and for guidance only. On the day it is up to the HMRC inspector who stops you, if he does at all. If he's had his leg away that day he may not even care. Yes I bought in 4 kilos from Spain with me in October 2012. The 24k was in in the early 2000's

[Shady]

That's indicative and for guidance only. On the day it is up to the HMRC inspector who stops you, if he does at all. If he's had his leg away that day he may not even care.

which is exactly why i put the caveat "potentially"

[super jumbe]

If your carrier is on the donkey this may help.
They may ask you if you have any thing to declare, say no.
If they are in good mode they may let you go otherwise you are well ****ed.
I usually take my chances and have worked so far?.

[jcgrumbles]

I only take the trip for the free enema....

[GastonJ]

Bringing cigs and drink back form the EU is not an offence. However I seem to recall, that if you conceal it because you "think it is" then that in itself is an offence - regardless of it being legal to bring it back. BTW SJ they don't ask, they have lanes now, and you just wander through.

[jaws2]

my friend lost his car and never got it back about 9 years ago, lost all the cigs and booze as well. he tried to get the car back via his solicitor but no luck.

[GastonJ]

Aye they can take your car to bits and not have to put it back together as well. HMRC have some very very strange powers given to them. I wouldn't want to get on the wrong side of them, that much I do know.