200 cigarettes duty free each way to USA I don`t smoke but my partner does

[kaw69]

Going on an unexpected trip to New York on business alone, the allowance is 200 cigarettes duty free each way to USA I don`t smoke but my partner does.
Can I use my allowance to go there and seperate the packs into different pockets of my clothes in the suitcase for the return trip and then use my allowance on the way back and carry it through in the duty free bag as normal?

[mike11111]

The short answer is no. You would be importing 400 ciggies, twice the allowance.

[spudqueen]

Why not just buy 200 there? That's all you'll be allowed to bring back into the UK, and they are cheaper over there anyway.

[kaw69]

Thanks but no thanks I thought there would be a loophole. What if I bought a bottle of whisky on the way out, broke the seal, had consumed half the bottle whilst abroad and put it in my luggage on the way back
Can I claim the full allowance for the spirits in the duty free shop to bring back?

[dzug2]

No - but it's possible they may be lenient if you declare it.

[Old_Geezer]

Half a bottle. There all day then ?

[spudqueen]

I think that you are allowed the 200 cigarettes, and an open pack of 20 in your handbag/pocket which would be for use whilst travelling, but I don't think they'd allow you through with open spirits, remember you are only allowed 100ml of any liquid, and that has to be in one of those little plastic resealable bags. You could try putting it in your suitcase, but if it breaks or leaks it could end up costing you more in damaging the other things in your suitcase (you try getting whisky out of leather shoes!) than you would be saving.