Cigarettes

[Soupy_Sam]

Hi I understand that you can only bring 200 cigarettes back from the Canaries due to some EU ruling i think.

I heard somewhere that if you open each packet of 20 and take a cigarette out you can bring as many packs with 19 in as you want.

Does anyone know the ruling on this? is it FACT or FICTION

[Stephen]

Its fiction, we got told this too, but not true. One thing thou, make sure that if you do get stopped with more than your limit, and you give them up, make sure you break them all up because we have been told that some of the customs sell them on and pocket the money:veryangry:

[rab_c.]

Hi I understand that you can only bring 200 cigarettes back from the Canaries due to some EU ruling i think.

I heard somewhere that if you open each packet of 20 and take a cigarette out you can bring as many packs with 19 in as you want.

Does anyone know the ruling on this? is it FACT or FICTION

false, and if you are stopped with them you will be given a confiscation notice hence no way can any customs sell them on.
best advice give them up it is a dirty filthy habbit and does your health no good. as thousands of people that are no longer here would confirmif possible.

[Stephen]

false, and if you are stopped with them you will be given a confiscation notice hence no way can any customs sell them on.
best advice give them up it is a dirty filthy habbit and does your health no good. as thousands of people that are no longer here would confirmif possible.
my info came from my mate who works in customs

[rab_c.]

if so name and shame them I work alongside customs at an airport and I can assure there is no way that this can happen as everything is signed and countersigned right up to the confiscated articles are destroyed.
all customs officers are highly respected and trusted personnel.

[Stephen]

It happens!

[Owen]

The point is, 200 is the limit. I know a lot of people who have gotten through with double that. I got through in Gatwick once with 6 cartons but I wouldn't recommend more than a couple of cartons and the limit is 1 carton = 200

[Sunshine girl]

At Prestwick Rab..an announcement was made what allowances were and that luggage to be scanned if you had any more you should drop in cage provided. The cage was full of cigs and tobacco!! not a receipt in sight

[rab_c.]

At Prestwick Rab..an announcement was made what allowances were and that luggage to be scanned if you had any more you should drop in cage provided. The cage was full of cigs and tobacco!! not a receipt in sight

that is very surprising as baggage is only selected at random and xrayed the ratio I will not disclose and customs do not use an airport announcement system. their job is to catch people bringing excessive items in to the uk that are due excise duty or tax to be paid and deal with them accordingly and they have the same powers as the british police force to arrest and detain. normally a tourist trying to bring a few hundred extra cigs in will often result in a severe warning but can be heavily fined. wheras if the person goes through the red area and declare them then they pay the duty on whatever the brought in.
here is a link with a little info regards customs rights and powers http://www.yourrights.org.uk/your-rights/chapters/privacy/searches-by-customs-and-excise-officials/searches-by-customs-and-excise-officials.shtml

as for bluemoonsteves quote of a mate in customs who says that pilfering takes place them im afraid that is a very serious allegation that hm excise & customs would not take very lightly.

[HandyMan]

The limit is 250 grams of tabaco ( not the number of cigerretes or how they are packaged ..250 grams = 200 cigs or 5 pouches of rolling baccy or a mixture of both) and that is that , break the law at your peril .The Canaries are designated an EU free port , that means it is tax exempt unlike the rest of the EU , so drink and tabaco is cheaper then anywhere else in the EU .Hence the limit. You will find that it is far cheaper then buying on the plane at " duty free " prices.
If like me you have this terrible habit:veryangry: , then the answer is simple.....give up...or just make more trips to keep your home supply topped up :fatgrin:..thats what I do.

[redswanlady]

I always say only bring back what you can afford to lose, if you chance it and bring back more then dont grumble if they get taken off you.

[2-islandangie]

A few years ago we had 50 pouches between us in the 2 cases. We were misinformed about the quantity we were allowed to take back. My hubbies case had 2 locks on it(1 combination & 1 ordinary). When we came to unpack the cases he jokingly said it looked as if his case had been rifled. But it was locked the same as when handed over to BA at LPA. The tobacco was for our dog sitter & when we looked for it we realised the packs in his case were gone.
Because we were innocent at that stage we complained to BA & were sent a cheque to reimburse us.
Usually when we fly back it is usually an early morning arrival flight & there is not a customs person in sight but as Redswanlady said if you take more back than your allowed ..only take as much as you are prepared to lose.

[maxine]

We are only part of the EU as far as imagration is concerned, living and working.
As far as tax items are concerned its classed as non EU. Becuase of the low tax.
We were explained this when we first moved here by imagration.

[tess]

i've always brought back more than my allowance, and have never been stopped or had cigs taken off me. But as Swanie says, be it on ur head if they do. Sometimes think it is just not worth the hassle, you are never at ease until u reach ur destination.

[santino]

I too also take back extra an never been stoped ( touch wood ) a guy working in one of the shops told me to put the barcodes on the cigs together in your suitcase an you will be fine , dont know how true this is though !!!!!

[rab_c.]

barcodes on the cigs together lol thats a good one what is that going to do if people only knew what we see through the xray machines.
every cig shows up in every packet the xray machines at passenger search areas are excellent in what they do but are toys toys compared to the highly sophisticated machinery that does the hold baggage where most pauckle is hidden.
but on our duty we are not looking for a few extra cartons of cigs but rather items that can put the passenger or plane at risk. hm customs and excise will do the duty free evasion on the incoming flights as will the security section at the airport you land with your wee bit extra booty.
one of our toughest jobs is the amount of adult toys that go through in suitcases nowadays and are activated going through the xrays because the batteries have not been removed. now how many passengers do you reckon come back to passenger search when we announce their names to come back and open their case for a check ....correct none we then have to get a supervisor from the airline the passenger is on to be present when we open the offending case and remove the battery so that everything is seen to be above board .......now that is just a teeny weeny insight of our job which may make you think a little on what you put in your luggage

[HandyMan]

Isnt the transportation of Live Rabbits , cruel and illegal ?...:have-fun:

[tess]

Rab i recently watched a program on customs etc. The program is based on looking for drugs, but it did open my eyes to what they can see. It was amazing to see how drugs where hid in a chess set, and how tiny little white lines appearing on there screen alerted them to the gaps where the drugs where hidden. Even the buttons on your shirt show, and any difference in shape or size can alert them to possibilities. As for battery operated devices, apart from camera, i'm not guilty lol

[russ]

when u put ur bags through x rays just remember that all cig packets have foil in them. the only way round this is empty every pack into the big box they come in and then seal it with cling film. then noone can see u have cigs in your bag from an xray. oh and they xray it here and any one with 1000's cigs gets a chalk line on their bag , very easy for them at the other end to spot.

[pappa.smurff]

Customs Gatwick stopped me for the first ever time last june. I thought it was because her indoors had put in 3 cartons of horrid smelly ciggies, but actually they had spotted all my prescribed meds via the scanner. A quick phone call and I was sent on my way. The cigs were on full view but were never mentioned !!!!!!!!!!

[rab_c.]

when u put ur bags through x rays just remember that all cig packets have foil in them. the only way round this is empty every pack into the big box they come in and then seal it with cling film. then noone can see u have cigs in your bag from an xray. oh and they xray it here and any one with 1000's cigs gets a chalk line on their bag , very easy for them at the other end to spot.

wrong russ lol cling film, little advice try lead as for chalk line thats a good one but wrong again. but if baggage has thousands of cigs then by rights it is reported to customs who pass the info on to there conterparts who are standing waiting on them in lpa.

[russ]

u misunderstood rab. the cling film is to keep them fresh nothing to do with the xray lol

[rab_c.]

u misunderstood rab. the cling film is to keep them fresh nothing to do with the xray lol

oh sorry lol ok :boozy:

[bobbys]

barcodes on the cigs together lol thats a good one what is that going to do if people only knew what we see through the xray machines.
every cig shows up in every packet the xray machines at passenger search areas are excellent in what they do but are toys toys compared to the highly sophisticated machinery that does the hold baggage where most pauckle is hidden.
but on our duty we are not looking for a few extra cartons of cigs but rather items that can put the passenger or plane at risk. hm customs and excise will do the duty free evasion on the incoming flights as will the security section at the airport you land with your wee bit extra booty.
one of our toughest jobs is the amount of adult toys that go through in suitcases nowadays and are activated going through the xrays because the batteries have not been removed. now how many passengers do you reckon come back to passenger search when we announce their names to come back and open their case for a check ....correct none we then have to get a supervisor from the airline the passenger is on to be present when we open the offending case and remove the battery so that everything is seen to be above board .......now that is just a teeny weeny insight of our job which may make you think a little on what you put in your luggage


Is there an Old boy network around airport staff Rab with regards to adult toys considering there is metal in most of them. I wonder where the info about batteries inside came from, experience or a word in your shell-like lol.

[rab_c.]

Is there an Old boy network around airport staff Rab with regards to adult toys considering there is metal in most of them. I wonder where the info about batteries inside came from, experience or a word in your shell-like lol.
bobby you are well experienced in that dept ole chap when a gadget shows up on xray and the poor baggage is shaking with fright after being thrown about what do you think??

[Soupy_Sam]

i know people who have taken a lot more than that back try full suitcase full !!- rab c is right filthy , smelly habit try giving up -save yourself a fortune!



Hi All

For the record I stopped smoking 7 years ago and now hate the dirty habit. However I was asked by my hoouse sitter to bring her some cigs back as a gift for looking after the house. Hence my question. Also thought a lot of others might like to have confirmed info so no old wives tales need to be listened too.

Pay for 2 trips a year to Canaries with the money I save by not smoking. :boozy:

Wish there were non smoking bars and restaurants on the island though

Flying out on 21st cant wait

[colinb]

. :boozy:

Wish there were non smoking bars and restaurants on the island though

Flying out on 21st cant wait

There are some non-smoking restaurants. Bistro Salsa at Amadores is a smoking terrace, but you are not allowed to smoke in the bar area, restaurants have the option of declaring whether they are smoking or non-smoking. Henry's restaurante next to La Cascada is non-smoking

[MARCUS]

Hello Viewers!
I totally agree,I think smoking is "revolting" and should be banned apart from smoking in your own home.Anyone who tries to enter my apartment with a " fag" or a "smouldering log" can " think again".....
all smokers that come within a " 1 km radious " of myself would also be reccomended to use " LISTERINE ANTISEPTIC MOUTHWASH"
( it should be noted that i once lived with a Spanish woman who constantly smoked and not only was the whole thing a " nightmare from hell " but with her terrible smoking habbit it was like living on the film set of " LONDONS BURNING "

Happy smoking viewers!
Mr M
:wink:

[bfrank]

I'm so glad we had the choice ex smokers are the worse critics maybe because they still get cravings, I've never smoked in a resteraunt but I'd go nuts if I could'nt have a cig' in a bar when having a beer. what happened to freedom of choice!!! :angryfire:...

[santino]

have to agree , it's great on holiday to be able to smoke in the bars , here at home in ireland it ruins a night out having to go outside to smoke , fair enough having no smoking in restaurants when people are eating .

[MELWALES1]

I enjoy a cigar and a beer when we go out, I don’t smoke in restaurants when someone is eating. All doors and windows are always open in the bars in pr with a breeze blowing thru. The wife always comments that here clothes don’t smell of smoke at the end of the night.

[Soupy_Sam]

Firstly I do not get cravings for cigarettes at all now, just the smell makes me feel ill. Went to buy a car yesterday opened the door and even though it had been professionally valleted it stank of fags, no sale.

Unfortunately smokers would not like us non smokers to have freedom of choice. They wany to polute the shops, hotels, bars and restaurants etc. with the vile smelling lethal gasses puffed in the name of smoking. We the Non Smoker are expected to put up with it because the smoker has not the common sense or will power to stop. Even when they do go outside they stand on the doorstep so to enter you have to pass through a cloud of smoke and fag butts on the floor.


If you want freedom of choice fine IF YOU WANT A FAG choose to go outside and just kill yourself, not make us breath your filth.:veryangry:

[santino]

it's true what they say "reformed" smokers are definitely the worst :wacko:

[xxxjojoxxx]

Firstly I do not get cravings for cigarettes at all now, just the smell makes me feel ill. Went to buy a car yesterday opened the door and even though it had been professionally valleted it stank of fags, no sale.

Unfortunately smokers would not like us non smokers to have freedom of choice. They wany to polute the shops, hotels, bars and restaurants etc. with the vile smelling lethal gasses puffed in the name of smoking. We the Non Smoker are expected to put up with it because the smoker has not the common sense or will power to stop. Even when they do go outside they stand on the doorstep so to enter you have to pass through a cloud of smoke and fag butts on the floor.


If you want freedom of choice fine IF YOU WANT A FAG choose to go outside and just kill yourself, not make us breath your filth.:veryangry:

I am a smoker and do have common sense and a whole lot of will power but it is my choice to smoke and where possible I stay away from kids and non-smokers!!! When I go on my holibags to PR I am more interested in having a good time than the amount of ciggies I can take home as this thread originally says. :fatgrin:

[roxy]

It seems like there are also some non smokers who dont want smokers to have freedom of choice either :wink:

[Dolly Dimple]

Firstly I do not get cravings for cigarettes at all now, just the smell makes me feel ill. Went to buy a car yesterday opened the door and even though it had been professionally valleted it stank of fags, no sale.

Unfortunately smokers would not like us non smokers to have freedom of choice. They wany to polute the shops, hotels, bars and restaurants etc. with the vile smelling lethal gasses puffed in the name of smoking. We the Non Smoker are expected to put up with it because the smoker has not the common sense or will power to stop. Even when they do go outside they stand on the doorstep so to enter you have to pass through a cloud of smoke and fag butts on the floor.


If you want freedom of choice fine IF YOU WANT A FAG choose to go outside and just kill yourself, not make us breath your filth.:veryangry:
ooooheer!!!!!

[ginty69]

Have to say just take the chance ,of bringing yor cigarettes home i have just brought 30 sleeves back and always do,not to sell but for myself i bring enough back to last till the next time im there, yes it is a bad habit but,thats life there werent even any customs on not one,so yes i will take the chance at the end of the day if i do get, stoped so be it there cheap enough and i will bring fags back every time,.

[barnstyke]

Must agree with Soupy Sam

We fine nothing more annoying than a group of smokers lighting up while standing next to us in a bar. It’s a most inconsiderate and a selfish way of going about life, but most smokers don’t see it that way and think we (none smokers) should share their cigarettes with them. When I’m in a bar standing near to a group of smokers the only choice I have is suck it up or move on to another bar. Can’t believe that some people think they have the right to inflict their filthy habit on me and others that doesn’t smoke. The laws makers in Europe have come down on smokers for a reason, I wonder why. You’re right when you said it’s your choice to smoke, what choice do we have. As a none smoker, I’m telling you that the smell of your cigarettes are truly repulsive. Not expecting any good replies from the selfish hardened smokers that use this board.:veryangry:

Whether it be in a restaurant or in a bar, it’s still the same smoke that we “HAVE” to put up.:veryangry:

Rant over:veryangry:

Sorry to take this thread off topic but some things need to be said.

Daz.

[barnstyke]

Thought I better add a "BIG THANK YOU" to all you considerate smokers that has consideration for others and refrain from smoking in public areas.

Thank you.

Daz.

[HandyMan]

I am so glad you added that P.S Barnstyke. I have the addiction , and would love to give it up . I did for 7 years , but as probably the most addictive DRUG going , it is hard. I try hard not to inflict my smelly dangerous smoke on anyone else , especially kids ,by standing outside or refraining but the truth is , you are more at risk breathing the air in any large city ( no i am not trying to make excuses for myself ,the UK has the highest incidence of asthma in the world! ) but people drive a couple of hundred yards to get a take away for instance, or drive to the NOT so local supermarket for a shop ,so as globel warming WILL kill everybody the way its going( and this is a joke ) give up your car , and i will stop smoking..!!!!!!!:wink:

[barnstyke]

Fair play HandyMan, wish more people would be courteous and think more about others and less of themselves. Don’t mind anyone smoking, as long as they keep it to themselves. Love the bit about global warming but that doesn’t make my eyes water and my clothes smell. LOL

BTW you are making excuses!!!!!!!!!

Daz

[HandyMan]

LMAO..got ya....people are so used to the smell of the city...cars,lorries,buses,etc..that they dont notice the smell on there cloths , hair.......try 2 weeks in PR ,,,and even me with my poluted hooter, can smell the city when I get back...:fatgrin:...( oooo...can feel a Mod yellow cad coming on....LOL)

[barnstyke]

Your argument is weak at the very best , stopping people form smoking in public places is not going to solve all the worlds problems but it ticks one of the boxes. Next time you’re in a bar, take time to look up at the smoke haze that fills the bar for us none smokers to enjoy. Never expected to get any sympathy from smokers that think it’s their god given right to share their filth with me and other none smoker. :veryangry:

A little consideration never hurt anyone and BTW I don't live in a big city, far from it.

Daz.

[AndNorr1964]

The only advice I can give is if your going to bring cigarettes or tobacco back through customs only bring back enough as you can afford to lose the if stopped it wont haunt you for weeks after. At around £50 for 200 here in the uk and about £10 for 200 in GC well you can do the math :crazy_love: