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Brits to benefit from duty-free prices post-Brexit

Paloma Kubiak
Written By:
Paloma Kubiak
Posted:
Updated:
11/09/2020

Brits travelling to and from EU countries will be able to stock up on cheap alcohol and tobacco as duty-free will be extended from January, post Brexit.

Holidaymakers will be able to buy duty-free alcohol and tobacco products in British ports, airports, international train stations as well as on board ships, trains and planes.

It means a duty-free bottle of wine will be up to £2.23 cheaper, Champagne and Prosecco will be up to £2.86 cheaper, while six cans of beer will be up to £2.28 more affordable and a 1l bottle of 40% spirits could see Brits pay up to £11.50 less.

Further, Brits will be able to bring in more duty-free goods upon their return, including:

  • 42 litres of beer
  • 18 litres of still wine
  • Four litres of spirits or nine litres of sparkling wine, fortified wine or any alcoholic beverage less than 22% ABV.

On tobacco, the Treasury confirmed holidaymakers can bring in the following for personal use:

  • 200 cigarettes or
  • 100 cigarillos or
  • 50 cigars or
  • 250g tobacco or
  • 200 sticks of tobacco for heating
  • or any proportional combination of the above.

The Treasury also confirmed it is ending tax-free sales in airports of goods such as electronics and clothing for passengers travelling to non-EU countries, following concerns the tax-concession isn’t always passed on to consumers.

It means that in some cases, these tax-free goods are brought back into the country by UK residents, “putting high street retailers at a disadvantage”, it added.

Further, VAT refunds for overseas visitors in British shops will be removed. Overseas visitors will still be able to buy items VAT-free in store and have them sent direct to their overseas addresses. The Treasury said “the costly system of claiming VAT refunds on items they take home in their luggage will be ended”.