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Three days before the UK leaves the European Union, the government warned travelers not to take advantage of Northern Ireland’s unique post-Brexit customs status to circumvent the new import rules.
There are fears that smugglers, dubbed ‘Belfast Smugglers’, may take advantage of the lack of controls between the EU and Northern Ireland to transport goods to Britain without paying duties and taxes.
Northern Ireland is being treated as part of the EU for customs purposes, with controls in place from Great Britain. But the UK government has confirmed that nothing will change when you travel the other direction to England, Wales or Scotland.
Anyone traveling from the EU to Northern Ireland, either across the land border from the Republic or by air from Continental Europe, can keep bringing whatever they want.
The only stipulations are that imported items in luggage are for the traveler’s use (or are intended to be gifts) and that any duty or tax has been paid in the country of purchase.
In contrast, travelers to England, Wales and Scotland face new limits to EU imports from New Year’s Day: 200 cigarettes, four liters of spirits, two cases of wine, 16 liters of beer and £ 390 in others. products.
That has raised fears that travelers may try to exploit Northern Ireland’s ambivalent status to circumvent the new customs limits.
For example, someone returning from France to England, Wales or Scotland with thousands of pounds worth of locally purchased goods might be tempted to board a direct ferry to Ireland, then drive to Northern Ireland and sail to Great Britain.
The government insists that rerouting to avoid taxes and duties in this way would violate UK law. Similarly, a tourist from Portugal who brings a large quantity of cheap cigarettes to Belfast, then changes planes and flies to Britain, would be breaking the law.
Industry sources say the potential savings on such a trip with 800 cigarettes could exceed £ 200, even if the additional flight is taken into account.
But a government spokesman said: “We are clear that we will continue to tackle smuggling and illegal activity in all circumstances.”
It is unclear what steps will be taken to stop possible “smuggling in Belfast”.
The application could be difficult if the traveler is staying one night or more in Northern Ireland and claims that they are taking a short holiday in the country before continuing to Great Britain.
Distilleries in Northern Ireland will not immediately benefit from any price advantage for travelers to the rest of the UK. While the concept of “Belfast liquor cans” had been discussed, after all there will be no duty-free opportunities for Britain.
But travelers to Northern Ireland who want to take advantage of cheap Bushmills whiskey or Titanic gin can get around Dublin by sea or air.
Duty-free passenger sales to Great Britain will return to ferries from Ireland to Wales and England, and to Irish airports, on January 1, 2021.
