UK. Sparkling wine of all forms will be moved from the ‘drinks up to 22% alcoholic strength by volume’ category to within a single expanded wine category under new duty-free allowances to be introduced in the country on 1 October,
This follows an amendment to the Travellers’ Allowances Order 1994 announced last week.
The new regulation also moves cider into the same category as beer.
The overall duty-free allowance limits for beer and wine remain unchanged.
For example, cider will move from a separate 9-litre allowance into the 42-litre beer category, and sparkling wine from a 9-litre allowance into the 18-litre wine category.
“These changes simplify the way alcohol allowances are applied for travellers and improve consistency,” said HM Revenue & Customs.
Travellers will not need to do anything differently, as the overall duty-free allowance limits remain unchanged, the regulatory body explained.
“However, the changes will allow different combinations of alcoholic products to be brought within those limits, meaning some individuals may be able to bring back more of certain products, but less of others, than under the current rules.
“This is expected to provide greater flexibility overall, although some travellers will no longer be able to maximise the same product choices as before.”
For the full raft of changes click here. ✈
