France in Focus

While the UK was in the EU individuals were allowed to bring back to the UK 90 litres of wine per person. Since post Brexit rules were implemented in Jan 2021, I believe, the wine quantity has been reduced to 18 litres.
Does anyone have experience/knowledge of how strictly the 18 litre limit is being applied ?

In theory, it is applied absolutely. A customs officer might let you off with a half bottle extra but that would be at his discretion and probably reflects his desire not to do all the paperwork for 18l + half a bottle. [I am sure I have read that if you are found to be over the limit, you forfeit the duty free element.]

exile wrote: ↑Thu May 05, 2022 10:16 am In theory, it is applied absolutely. A customs officer might let you off with a half bottle extra but that would be at his discretion and probably reflects his desire not to do all the paperwork for 18l + half a bottle. [I am sure I have read that if you are found to be over the limit, you forfeit the duty free element.]

In the UK exceeding the personal allowance in a green channel makes the whole amount liable to tax or seizure. Ireland operates a "keep your allowance" policy for excess goods.

Edit: If goods are declared (red channel or online) there is an "upper threshold" based on the pre-Brexit personal allowance quantities and tax will be applied to whatever exceeds the post-Brexit personal allowances..

In my experience, at Calais, by Eurotunnel there is no red and green channel and there were no checks. YMMV - and, of course, I cannot on a public forum advocate anything other than strict adherence to the law.

Also, you are allowed fizzy wine in addition to the 18L allowance.

I have actually been instructed "no more wine" for this latest return to the UK and interesting by comparison, the limit is 6 bottles into Switzerland.

niemeyjt wrote: ↑Fri May 06, 2022 11:20 am In my experience, at Calais, by Eurotunnel there is no red and green channel and there were no checks. YMMV - and, of course, I cannot on a public forum advocate anything other than strict adherence to the law.

Also, you are allowed fizzy wine in addition to the 18L allowance.

I have actually been instructed "no more wine" for this latest return to the UK and interesting by comparison, the limit is 6 bottles into Switzerland.

Perhaps I should have put "green/red channel" but it wasn't specific to Eurotunnel and it is possible to declare goods online from five days before taking any crossing to the UK.
Drinks personal allowance
42 litres beer
18 litres still wine
4 litres spirits and other liquors over 22% alcohol
9 litres sparkling wine, fortified wine and other alcoholic drinks up to 22% alcohol (excluding beer or still
wine) which can be divided - for example 4.5 litres of fortified wine and 2 litres of spirits

Isn't the Swiss limit 5 litres up to 18% vol. and 1 litre over 18% vol per day? I recall seeing, in a supermarket in Les Hôpitaux-Neufs, a huge wallboard listing all the allowances for Switzerland and searches at the border going into Vallorbe.

beejay wrote: ↑Sun May 08, 2022 4:05 pmIsn't the Swiss limit 5 litres up to 18% vol. and 1 litre over 18% vol per day? I recall seeing, in a supermarket in Les Hôpitaux-Neufs, a huge wallboard listing all the allowances for Switzerland and searches at the border going into Vallorbe.

Yes - 5L - but in practical terms 6 bottles is 4.5L and 7 bottles is 5.25L - so I just remember 6 bottles being an honest person.

Also there is a limit of 1Kg meat.

niemeyjt wrote: ↑Sun May 08, 2022 7:22 pm

beejay wrote: ↑Sun May 08, 2022 4:05 pmIsn't the Swiss limit 5 litres up to 18% vol. and 1 litre over 18% vol per day? I recall seeing, in a supermarket in Les Hôpitaux-Neufs, a huge wallboard listing all the allowances for Switzerland and searches at the border going into Vallorbe.

Yes - 5L - but in practical terms 6 bottles is 4.5L and 7 bottles is 5.25L - so I just remember 6 bottles being an honest person.

Also there is a limit of 1Kg meat.

per DAY