The UK 's departure from the EU now means that ferry services between the UK and the EU may sells goods duty free, and Stena Line have already made changes to some of their vessels to accommodate the change.
Duty free disappeared from EU ferry services in 1999, as the EU decided to the end the sale of tax-free alcohol, tobacco and perfume during travel between member states. However, the UK’s exit from the block means that duty free sales are now possible on ferry trips between the EU and the UK.
Earlier this week, Stena Line confirmed that duty free shops would be up and running by New Year’s Day on its vessels sailing between Wales and the Republic of Ireland.
Duty Free is back in our onboard shops from this Friday, on our vessels sailing between Wales and the Republic of Ireland. We’ve built new retail areas, brought forward refurbishments and expanded our retail offering. #Brexit #dutyfreehttps://t.co/R6Ac7lgVQB
— Stena Line Group (@StenaLine) December 29, 2020
The UK Government say the likely reduction in prices would be as follows:
- £2.23 cheaper for a 75cl bottle of wine.
- £2.86 cheaper for a 75cl bottle of Champagne or Prosecco.
- £2.28 cheaper for six 50cl cans of 4% ABV beer
- £11.50 cheaper for a 1l bottle of 40% ABV spirits.
However, there are limits as to what you can take off the ferry. The maximum amounts are as follows:
- 42 litres of beer
- 18 litres of still wine
- 4 litres of spirits
- 9 litres of sparkling wine, fortified wine or any alcoholic beverage less than 22% ABV
- 200 cigarettes.
Photo credit: Bob Castle / Wikimedia Commons