Duty-free limit doubles for non-EU arrivals

International SOS 12/01/2008

Travellers returning to the UK from outside the EU will be able to bring home more duty-free goods from today.

The duty-free value of the other goods category, which includes electronics, souvenirs and perfume, has more than doubled from £145 to £300. This change is being implemented across the EU.

Frances Tuke, an Abta spokesperson, said: “Travel habits and consumer spending have changed significantly over the past 15 years [when the rules were last revised].

“The duty-free goods laws now match the needs of the ever-adventurous 21st-century traveller. This announcement is great news for travellers and the industry.”

The UK Borders Agency is also doubling the allowance of still wine to four litres and introducing a separate allowance for beer of up to 16 litres, which was previously counted as other goods.

The duty-free value of other goods will be further increased to £340 on January 1 to compensate for the changing exchange rate between the pound and the euro, keeping the UK duty-free allowance in line with the allowance in the eurozone.

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