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EU 'booze cruises' to continue
23/11/2006 16:41 - (SA)
Luxembourg - The European Court of Justice on Thursday rejected a legal bid to allow online European shoppers to purchase cheap cigarettes and alcohol anywhere throughout the EU.
The ruling is a blow to Europeans hoping to buy cheap booze abroad via the internet.
The Luxembourg-based court upheld the current interpretation of EU rules, which state that in order to benefit from cheaper taxes elsewhere, consumers have to travel to the EU country in question and pick up their purchases, or go on "booze cruises" in the British parlance.
The ruling was keenly awaited in Britain where alcohol and cigarette taxes are particularly high compared to on the continent, and notably in neighbouring France.
The weekday or weekend booze cruise is a common pursuit for many British consumers who return from warehouse shops in northern France with cars and vans laden with wine, beer, spirits and cigarettes.
- AFP
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