No question of 'blind eye': Customs and US shopping trips
Revenue absolutely refutes the suggestion that the Customs Service is ignoring the question of duty owing on US shopping trips.
In the period from early October to date our officers at Dublin, Shannon and Knock airports have checked some 350 flights originating in the US. We have challenged over 3,500 passengers and searched over two thousand bags in this period. We have collected €25,220 in VAT and duty from these checks - there were no detections of anything of significant value.
In the same period in our major airports we have seized almost 6 million cigarettes with a value of over €2 million and drugs with an estimated street value of almost one million €.
Naturally we cannot check every passenger on every flight from the US but we do check passengers on every single flight.
We also make sure that passengers are aware of the limits. For the past month Customs officers have been issuing leaflets to passengers on their way to the US at all the major airports reminding them of duty payable on goods. Having regard to the allowances for travellers entering the EU, there are not huge amounts of money involved.
As in all other areas for which we are responsible we operate on the basis of risk - assessing the risks involved and applying resources accordingly. We could not and would not ignore our responsibilities in this area.
[Ends 21/11/07]
Note for Editors:
Passenger duty allowances:
Travellers to Ireland from the US have exemption from Irish VAT and Duty for goods up to a value of €175 for an adult, or €90 for a child under 15 years. In addition, for persons of 17 years and over, there is an exemption for 200 cigarettes, 1 litre of spirits, 2 litres of wine, 60 mls of perfume, or equivalent amounts of similar products (cigars, sparkling wine etc.).
In addition to the above, but excluding tobacco products, up to a further €350 worth of goods (i.e. where total value of goods is less than €525) are charged at a flat rate of 3.5% Duty.
Where the total value of goods exceeds €525 the normal full rates of Duty apply to the full value of the goods less the standard €175 allowance and Tobacco allowance.
Note that this flat rate of 3.5% applies to Duty charged only, VAT at 21% still applies in the normal course unless particular goods are exempt from VAT.
Customs duty is not collected in any case where the duty amount involved is less than €10.
Rates of duty can vary considerably across a range of goods and indeed can vary for particular goods like footwear depending on the materials used.