With the British government recently announcing an increase in the cost of cigarettes by 28p per pack, many holidaymakers will be planning on bringing back duty free goods when travelling abroad this summer. In order to help UK travellers ensure they stay within the governmental allowance, Airport Parking and Hotels (APH) has put together a comprehensive guide highlighting the rules and regulations when bringing back duty free products to the UK. The research is available in the Know Before You Go section of the APH website at www.aph.com/dutyfree.

The research compares the tax and duty free allowances for passengers arriving into the UK from both inside and outside the European Union, highlighting the allocation for products such as cigarettes, wine, spirits, liqueurs and perfume.

When arriving from the European Union to the UK, travellers are able to bring more products home than when flying from outside of the EU. For example, travellers can bring 800 cigarettes, 400 cigarillos, 200 cigars and 1kg of tobacco compared to 200 cigarettes, 100 cigarillos, 50 cigars and 250g of tobacco from outside of the EU.

The research also highlights the allocation relating to alcohol which includes 90 litres of wine from the EU and four litres from outside the EU, 20 litres of fortified wine compared to two litres and 20 litres of sparkling wine compared to two litres respectively. With regards to stronger alcohol such as liqueurs, the allocation depends on the volume of alcohol contained within the product with liqueurs over 22% volume limited to 10 litres from the EU and one litre from outside the EU, yet this is increased to 20 litres from the EU and two litres from outside the EU for liqueurs containing under 22% volume of alcohol.

However, holidaymakers need to be careful when combining allowances. Travellers are able to make-up the full allowance with spirits or liqueurs and fortified wine, providing the total allowance is not exceeded, however the total allocation of beer and wine can be combined allowing travellers to bring back 16 litres of beer in addition to four litres of still wine.

With regards to other goods, including perfume and souvenirs, there is no maximum allowance when travelling from the EU but when arriving from destinations outside of the EU, the value may not exceed £390.00.

Airport Parking and Hotels (APH) is the UK's award winning long stay airport parking operator and booking agency, after winning the Best Airport Parking Company for a fourth year running at British Travel Awards 2013. This year APH also celebrates its 34th year as a retailer and operator of pre-booked airport parking and travel extras. APH offers parking at all major UK airports as well as airport hotels packaged with parking and airport lounges. APH is also a carbon balanced company and has, through support of the World Land Trust, helped purchase more than 1,000 acres of endangered rainforest.

 For further information on Airport Parking and Hotels (APH)

Visit www.aph.com or call 01342 859515.

Media Enquiries

Sarah Salord / Jessica Meins / McCluskey International / 020 8747 2170 / aph@mccluskey.co.uk