Dodgy Tobacco

[ruthandsam]

Hi

Is there a way of telling if a tobacco and its packaging is what it says. I was sold some from a colleague who says she bought it home from Spain. It states that it is for Duty Free Sale Only. Hubby says that you cannot buy tobacco at the Spanish airport to be brought in UK as it is a EU country.

What do I look for on the packaging, if it is fake goods and further more what should I do about it? It's Golden Virginia 50g.

Thanks

[boxtops]

Yes you can, but you can only buy it for your own use, limited to a certain amount. As a matter of interest, there IS no duty free if you are travelling between EU countries - IMO the term duty free is if you are travelling from freeports (e.g. the Canaries) or outside the EU.

[boxtops]

Here http://www.heathrow-airport-guide.co.uk/dutyfree.html

[vodkancoke]

I didn't think there was such a thing as Duty Free anymore within the EU. As far as I understand you can buy as much as you like so long as it's for "your own consumption" http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/customs/arriving/arrivingeu.htm

[boxtops]

^ so your pal could only bring 250g from the Canaries, but a kilo from within the EU.

[vodkancoke]

Sorry, just realised my link is from 2011....not sure if things have changed since then x

[Graham-W]

We were in Corfu recently and bought tobacco and cigarettes, at the airport, duty paid in Corfu (Greece).
Certainly cheaper than the UK but not as cheap as duty free.
In Venice airport there is a duty free shop, but you can't use it if you are only flying within the EU.

[hc4361]

Any tobacco bought in Spain would not be labelled 'duty free'.
Maybe your friend bought it in Gibraltar on a day trip?

[aelmpvw]

i was under the impression that all tobacco was 'dodgy'

[hc4361]

It's perfectly legal to bring in duty free goods from outside the EU, provided you keep within the strict limits.