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Cheapest way to get cigarettes from EU?


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Old 23-12-2016, 15:33
highland paddy
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I want to bring back cigs for my mum from the EU but don't know the best way.

I just returned from the canaries and bought a carton there, but it was actually as cheap or cheaper on the Ryanair flight, and that was for a more reputable brand (22 euros).

Do Ryanair and others have them at the same price wherever you fly? This would mean for example I could just go to somewhere cheap like Brussels and buy them on the plane rather than further afield.
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Old 23-12-2016, 16:48
sarahj1986
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You cannot buy cigarettes on an EU flight at all. If you are going outside the EU you can only buy 200 per person on the flight. Canaries although EU I think they fall out of the EU regulations on alcohol and tobacco and so are treated as non EU purchases with the necessary restrictions
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Old 24-12-2016, 01:02
Ginger Daddy
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The Canaries isn't in the EU for the purposes of tax so it's a pointless question. And you can't buy cigs on flights within the EU.

Even when you can buy on the plane on non-EU journeys, if you are then relying on them actually having cigarettes available for your return journey if you are only wanting to check the price on your way out to compare to prices in the place you are staying. If the plane is on its inbound leg back to base, chances are they may have run out as many airlines won't restock.

Oh and as already said, the limit for the Canaries is 200 per person aged 17 and over. Any more is at your own risk.
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Old 24-12-2016, 07:40
LostFool
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As above, the Canaries are part of the EU but not part of the Customs Union so limits on alcohol and tobacco apply. If you really want cheap you need to be looking at a Ryanair flight to somewhere in eastern Europe.

In a few years time it is likely that those limits will apply to all EU destinations unless we agree a deal which keeps the UK within the Customs Union. If not then those booze cruises to France and bringing back a suitcase full of fags and brandy from Spain will be a thing of the past.
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Old 25-12-2016, 17:27
Iqoniq
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Forget this buying on the plane nonsense. I've got a friend who lives in Spain and he comes back every month to see his kids. When he comes back he usually brings me 10 x 50g packets of Amber Leaf which works out about 90 Euros (I usually just give him in pounds what the cost is in Euros). Even then I'm still saving about a tenner a packet because the UK cost is around £19 each, and I've also got a surplus if for any reason he can't do it (obviously his family will take priority over me).

If you want to do the Belgium thing and you can deal with sitting on a coach for 24 hours or so, you might want to see if you can find any of the coach 'tours' that do a run there and back. They're specifically done with tobacco and alcohol 'imports' in mind, but for it to be worth it you'd need to really be bringing back 16 cartons and 60 packets of tobacco.

There's also the minor problem of customs. On the way out you'll be asked to account for the amount of cash you've got on you by customs, and if you get smart with them they'll just take it off you or arrest you. At this point you'll have a long walk home because the coach won't wait around.

On the way back in (Calais side) you'll have the same rigmarole, but usually along the lines of why do you happen to have just the amount that people view as a limit (no real limit actually exists and it's just a guideline). If you happen to be one of the unlucky ones then you'll end up having all your tobacco taken off you without any recompense, and don't even think about kicking off about it as you're in France and getting back from there is a lot more hassle than if you've been kicked off UK side.

You'll also occasionally be asked to bring in anything under your allowance by either the 'tour' operator or someone else for a tenner, and I strongly suggest you don't do this for two reasons. First of all it's a pain in the arse enough having to deal with your own stuff, never mind anyone else's especially if you don't buy alcohol. The other is the fact that the operator may or may not make it clear that if you get it confiscated then you have to pay up what they've lost and by lost they mean what they can sell it for, not what it's cost them to buy.

Something else to be aware of - your passport will be scanned at customs in both directions. If you have any warrants out for you, or you're doing it quite a lot then they'll know about it and they will arrest you. To make matters worse, you'll get picked up on exiting the country which the police will dress up as an attempt to evade justice and it will be a case of go straight to jail, do not pass go, do not collect £200.

Your best bet is to find out if there's anyone you know who's going away on a stag or hen party, and asking them if they'll be happy to bring back a couple of cartons for you on the basis you'll pay in pounds what the receipt says in Euros. As long as they don't try and subsidise their weekend by bringing back their own then it's far less hassle.
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Old 26-12-2016, 07:20
grumpyscot
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And some airports in non-Eu countries (e.g. Turkey) try to sell you packs of 1,000 fags to take home saying you're allowed to export that many. And it's true - you can EXport them. It's IMporting them into the UK is the problem where the limit of 200 applies.

I've seen so many people getting caught on flights back from Turkey...... And once you've been caught, you're liable to be picked out and checked every time to come back into the country from anywhere abroad.
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Old 26-12-2016, 11:04
blueisthecolour
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Just to point out that it is illegal to sell tobacco that you've bought abroad to anyone in the UK.

Customs don't mess about - if they even suspect that it's not for personal use then they will confiscate it without compensation.
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Old 26-12-2016, 12:24
RobinOfLoxley
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The SMUGGLING 101 post was quite amusing bemusing.

Is it a hypothetical scenario or a training course based on experience?


I've been to Adinkerke, Belgium (via Calais, on the Ferry) 3 times and brought back 20 cartons of cigs each time, for me, and a couple of cartons as presents.

I did this with Mum and 3 family friends in my big 7 seat People Carrier. Rearmost seats folded flat.

We only bought an additional modicum of booze and some cheeses.
All of us smokers. A Grand Day out, look-see and a nice French Lunch.

We were stopped on arriving back in Dover the first time.
All perfectly amicable.

"That's a lot of cigarettes Sir" was the opening gambit from the Customs Officer.

"Yes, I'm a heavy smoker". He could probably smell it anyway on my breath and clothes and may have noticed my yellow fingers.

He searched through the 'boot' and asked who had what and why were these two odd cartons.

I just said it was all our personal consumption except the two gifts.
(which was all true)

"Thank-you Sir, Sorry to have delayed you, on you go. Safe Journey"
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Old 26-12-2016, 20:57
Iqoniq
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The SMUGGLING 101 post was quite amusing bemusing.

Is it a hypothetical scenario or a training course based on experience?
It was something I did just the once for the sake of it. A group of us had clubbed together to stock up on cheap fags and baccy over Xmas (honestly, it was about a week before Xmas), and we drew cards to see who the gopher would be. Everything I've listed above happened, and the guy I was sat next to was a regular "tourist" and told me about the alcohol thing. It's not something I'd do ever again though because it was bloody uncomfortable being sat down for almost 24 hours straight.
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Old 26-12-2016, 21:16
MARTYM8
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You could always try your local shop.

We are still in the EU!
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Old 26-12-2016, 22:20
RobinOfLoxley
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It was something I did just the once for the sake of it. A group of us had clubbed together to stock up on cheap fags and baccy over Xmas (honestly, it was about a week before Xmas), and we drew cards to see who the gopher would be. Everything I've listed above happened, and the guy I was sat next to was a regular "tourist" and told me about the alcohol thing. It's not something I'd do ever again though because it was bloody uncomfortable being sat down for almost 24 hours straight.
Fair enough. Do you know the Mr Nice story? Great book, rubbish film.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Mr-Nice-How.../dp/0749395699

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Howard_Marks
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Old 27-12-2016, 03:51
Iqoniq
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I've been fortunate enough to meet Howard Marks for real albeit very briefly, and he was as cool (but humble with it) as people made out. If you want to see one his best cameos, watch a film called Human Traffic and check out the Spliff Politics scene.
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Old 27-12-2016, 18:24
sodavlac
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About 5 years ago I looked at a coach trips that take you over to Belgium but never did it in the end. Think you got a couple of hours to buy what you want and then straight home again. Don't know if it was the cheapest way.

This kind of thing - http://www.travelstareuropean.com/holidays.php
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Old 27-12-2016, 18:46
LostFool
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Just to point out that it is illegal to sell tobacco that you've bought abroad to anyone in the UK.

Customs don't mess about - if they even suspect that it's not for personal use then they will confiscate it without compensation.
I don't smoke but I regularly bring cigarettes back for friends in exchange for a small profit. Never once have I been stopped.

I suspect that one of the unexpected consequences of leaving the EU is that many people won't realise that their alcohol and tobacco allowances will be significantly cut.
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Old 28-12-2016, 01:29
mickmars
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People bang on an on about the advantages of being in the EU, But Brits still have to deal with the customs gestapo if they want the cheaper EU fags,cheaper booze,etc
God forbid the ordinary people would have that particular advantage to being European
Funny That eh !
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Old 29-12-2016, 23:55
Brandy211
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Forget this buying on the plane nonsense. I've got a friend who lives in Spain and he comes back every month to see his kids. When he comes back he usually brings me 10 x 50g packets of Amber Leaf which works out about 90 Euros (I usually just give him in pounds what the cost is in Euros). Even then I'm still saving about a tenner a packet because the UK cost is around £19 each, and I've also got a surplus if for any reason he can't do it (obviously his family will take priority over me).
Lisbon 10 x 50g amber leaf 64 Euros £52.37
UK Price: 10x 50g Amber Leaf @ 18.60 each = £186.60

It isn't 24 hours on the coach to Belgium
The coaches used to get the 8.30 am ferry across to Calais, then return on the 4.30 one.
The coaches stopped at either Calais town or City Europe where there,s shops, sights or a hyper market, then onto Belgium for cigarettes/alcohol. then returned back to Calais for ferry to Dover.
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Old 30-12-2016, 23:42
East
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Once the UK leaves the Union 1 carton of 200 will be your whack. Nice present for those that smoke and voted to leave. I might be wrong anyone know different??
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Old 31-12-2016, 12:39
LostFool
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Once the UK leaves the Union 1 carton of 200 will be your whack. Nice present for those that smoke and voted to leave. I might be wrong anyone know different??
Unless a deal is done to remain in the Customs Union it will be back to the old limits on fags and booze. I wonder what all of those Leave voters in Kent and Essex who regularly do a day trip to Calais to stock-up think about that.

I'm looking forward to the headlines in the Mail and Express complaining about how British holidaymakers are being "discriminated" against
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Old 31-12-2016, 13:11
East
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Unless a deal is done to remain in the Customs Union it will be back to the old limits on fags and booze. I wonder what all of those Leave voters in Kent and Essex who regularly do a day trip to Calais to stock-up think about that.

I'm looking forward to the headlines in the Mail and Express complaining about how British holidaymakers are being "discriminated" against
Indeed!!! I am sure the chancellor will seize the opportunity, note this is a potential cash cow and the main loss will be to the Spanish economy for example.

And yes.. The sad face holding just a single litre of Vodca Well you did vote out!!
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Old 01-01-2017, 11:15
walterwhite
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Just to point out that it is illegal to sell tobacco that you've bought abroad to anyone in the UK.

Customs don't mess about - if they even suspect that it's not for personal use then they will confiscate it without compensation.
Well then they are breaking the law as cigarettes don't have to be for your personal use.
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Old 01-01-2017, 13:17
Thamwet
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How about don't?

That would be the cheapest way. Awful habit.
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Old 01-01-2017, 16:48
dave clarke
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Well then they are breaking the law as cigarettes don't have to be for your personal use.
This .When i go to Belgium i often get brother in law some as a gift perfectly legal
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Old 03-01-2017, 12:50
walterwhite
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How about don't?

That would be the cheapest way. Awful habit.
On behalf of the OP thanks for that wonderful advice.
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Old 03-01-2017, 13:06
LakieLady
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I only live a short drive from a channel port, so I can go for the day, pick up shedloads of fags, enough wine to float a battleship, loads of cheese, olive oil etc and have a nice lunch as well.

Last time I went it was about £25 return with the car, but I haven't done it for a few years.
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