News

10th June 2005

Booze cruises

Londoners could soon be able to bring back from the continent unlimited personal supplies of alcohol and cigarettes following a vote in the European Parliament supporting the Commission’s proposal to abolish the current guidelines: up to 800 cigarettes, 400 cigarillos, 90 litres of wine (including a maximum of 60 litres of sparkling wine) and 110 litres of beer.

An amendment was also adopted to shift the burden of proof from the individual to the customs officers who will have to prove the goods are intended for commercial use.  This matter will now go to the Council of Ministers who will make the final decision on whether to scrap the guidelines.

London Conservative MEP John Bowis reports that Labour MEPs voted against the proposal.  “There have been too many reported cases of heavy handed treatment of innocent cross channel shoppers by HM Customs and Excise. We live in a single European market and consumers should be allowed to take advantage of it,” says Mr Bowis.

London’s famous diarist, Samuel Johnson, in 1755 described excise as a “hateful tax”.  “Most Londoners would agree with him, especially as the excise burden has risen dramatically under Labour,” adds Mr Bowis.