Written question asked by Sam Galbraith (Labour), in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 5 November 1996. It was answered by Phillip Oppenheim (Conservative) on Tuesday, 5 November 1996 on behalf of the Treasury.

Treasury

Question: What plans he has to restrict the amount of beer for personal consumption which can be imported from the rest of the EU into the United Kingdom.

Answer: Mr. Galbraith: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to restrict the amount of beer for personal consumption which can be imported from the rest of the EU into the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement. [1165] Mr. Oppenheim: Under the provisions of the Excise Duty (Personal Reliefs) Order 1992, based on Council directive 92/12/EEC, travellers may bring into the UK alcohol, purchased for their own use, duty and tax paid in another EU country, without further liability to UK duty and tax. There is no restriction on the quantity of such goods that an individual can purchase. The directive, however, provides indicative levels, agreed by all member states, which can assist customs officers in determining whether goods are in fact intended for commercial use-- for beer the level is 110 litres. Although there is no fiscal frontier, a person holding such goods may be challenged by a customs officer anywhere in the UK, and must be able to satisfy the officer that goods in excess of the indicative levels are not for a commercial purpose.

Secondary information