Duty free shopping conditions improved

12.00.00am GMT Tue 18th Nov 2008

The European Parliament decided today about updating rules that would improve and facilitate the current duty free shopping at regional airports.

If these rules are approved by the Council, sea and air travellers having an intermediate stop to destinations outside the EU, will be able to buy goods in any duty free shops during their journey. For instance, if you fly from the East Midlands via Madrid to Buenos Aires, you will be able to buy duty free whisky in the East Midlands airport and take it with you instead of having to wait to buy it in Madrid.

Travellers with destinations within the EU and buying tobacco and alcohol duty paid in one Member State, can now transport it to another Member State without having to pay further duty there as long as the quantity can be considered for personal use.

Moreover, shops at external land borders, for instance in Greece, which were threatened to close down, may now remain open and hence save numerous jobs for the local people.

Bill Newton Dunn, MEP for the East Midlands says: "I am delighted that today we voted in favour of preserving the essential ability for regional airports, such as in the East Midlands, to sell duty free goods. This will generate needed revenue and help local communities. Otherwise, selling duty free would have been a prerequisite of major airports only and thus increase unfair competition for smaller airports."

The Parliament's position will now be forwarded to the Council which, because it is a tax matter, will have the final say on the issue.