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EU to rule on mail-order alcohol EU to rule on mail-order alcohol
(40 minutes later)
European Union judges are to deliver a ruling in a case that could change the way shoppers buy alcohol and tobacco.European Union judges are to deliver a ruling in a case that could change the way shoppers buy alcohol and tobacco.
The ruling will decide whether taxes should be paid at home or abroad when people buy the goods in another country and have them delivered to their home.The ruling will decide whether taxes should be paid at home or abroad when people buy the goods in another country and have them delivered to their home.
It could have a big effect in the UK, where taxes are high and many Britons travel to mainland Europe on "booze cruises" for cheaper alcohol.It could have a big effect in the UK, where taxes are high and many Britons travel to mainland Europe on "booze cruises" for cheaper alcohol.
Bargain hunters could use the internet to find the best deal in the EU.Bargain hunters could use the internet to find the best deal in the EU.
As regards products acquired by private individuals for their own use and transported by them... excise duty shall be charged in the member state in which they are acquired EU directive the court must interpret The UK government already loses duty of more than £1bn (1.5bn euros) per year because of booze cruises, and would stand to lose a lot more. As regards products acquired by private individuals for their own use and transported by them... excise duty shall be charged in the member state in which they are acquired EU directive the court must interpret href="Http://newsforums.bbc.co.uk/nol/thread.jspa?threadID=4794&edition=1&ttl=20061123081756" class="">Is it the end of the booze cruise? The UK government already loses duty of more than £1bn (1.5bn euros) per year because of booze cruises, and would stand to lose a lot more.
Shopping by telephone or internet would be easier and cheaper than travelling to France, so more people would be likely to desert UK retailers.Shopping by telephone or internet would be easier and cheaper than travelling to France, so more people would be likely to desert UK retailers.
Wine loversWine lovers
Duty on a bottle of wine varies from nothing in 13 EU countries, to 2.1 euros in Ireland.Duty on a bottle of wine varies from nothing in 13 EU countries, to 2.1 euros in Ireland.
Q&A: Buying from low-duty countries The European Court has been asked to interpret EU law by the Dutch Supreme Court, after a Dutch wine club objected to being charged duty on a lorry-load of wine delivered from France.Q&A: Buying from low-duty countries The European Court has been asked to interpret EU law by the Dutch Supreme Court, after a Dutch wine club objected to being charged duty on a lorry-load of wine delivered from France.
An adviser to the European Court of Justice has said the club chairman who ordered the delivery should only pay duty in France.An adviser to the European Court of Justice has said the club chairman who ordered the delivery should only pay duty in France.
But he added that other members of the club, who picked up their delivery from the chairman's garage, should pay Dutch duties.But he added that other members of the club, who picked up their delivery from the chairman's garage, should pay Dutch duties.
A court spokesman says the judges will not necessarily follow this advice.A court spokesman says the judges will not necessarily follow this advice.
The EU directive in question states: "As regards products acquired by private individuals for their own use and transported by them... excise duty shall be charged in the member state in which they are acquired."The EU directive in question states: "As regards products acquired by private individuals for their own use and transported by them... excise duty shall be charged in the member state in which they are acquired."
A number of EU states, including the UK, have argued that "transported by them" should be strictly interpreted.A number of EU states, including the UK, have argued that "transported by them" should be strictly interpreted.
The UK could stand to lose more than most countries by a change in the law.The UK could stand to lose more than most countries by a change in the law.
A carton of cigarettes bought at Latvian rates, for example, would be seven times cheaper than in the UK.A carton of cigarettes bought at Latvian rates, for example, would be seven times cheaper than in the UK.
A country like France could benefit from the extra business, and the VAT.A country like France could benefit from the extra business, and the VAT.