This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/europe/6175370.stm

The article has changed 13 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
EU to rule on mail-order alcohol EU to rule on mail-order alcohol
(about 1 hour later)
European Union judges are to deliver a ruling in a case that could change the way shoppers buy alcohol and tobacco.European Union judges are to deliver a ruling in a case that could change the way shoppers buy alcohol and tobacco.
The case has been brought by a Dutchman who challenged duties charged in his home country on wine that he had transported from France. The ruling will decide whether taxes should be paid at home or abroad when people buy the goods in another country and have them delivered to their home.
The ruling will decide whether taxes should be paid at home or abroad.
It could have a big effect in the UK, where taxes are high and many Britons travel to mainland Europe on "booze cruises" for cheaper alcohol.It could have a big effect in the UK, where taxes are high and many Britons travel to mainland Europe on "booze cruises" for cheaper alcohol.
The decision is also expected to impact on internet shopping. Bargain hunters could use the internet to find the best deal in the EU.
As regards products acquired by private individuals for their own use and transported by them... excise duty shall be charged in the member state in which they are acquired EU directive the court must interpret The UK government already loses duty of more than £1bn (1.5bn euros) per year because of booze cruises, and would stand to lose a lot more.
Shopping by telephone or internet would be easier and cheaper than travelling to France, so more people would be likely to desert UK retailers.
Wine loversWine lovers
The Dutch challenge, by BF Joustra, is based on a group of wine lovers arranging for the transport of wine from a French vineyard. Duty on a bottle of wine varies from nothing in 13 EU countries, to 2.1 euros in Ireland.
The EU court must decide whether someone who buys alcohol or tobacco from another country, and arranges for it to be delivered to their door, can avoid paying excise duty in his or her home country. href="/1/hi/world/europe/6158762.stm" class="">Q&A: Buying from low-duty countries The European Court has been asked to interpret EU law by the Dutch Supreme Court, after a Dutch wine club objected to being charged duty on a lorry-load of wine delivered from France.
Britain, Sweden and Denmark are among the most highly taxed and citizens often travel abroad to stock up at lower rates. An adviser to the European Court of Justice has said the club chairman who ordered the delivery should only pay duty in France.
EU law currently says tax should be charged at the rate of the country of purchase and allows customers to take goods home if they carry them themselves and they are for personal use. But he added that other members of the club, who picked up their delivery from the chairman's garage, should pay Dutch duties.
The UK could stand to lose most by a change in the law. A court spokesman says the judges will not necessarily follow this advice.
The EU directive in question states: "As regards products acquired by private individuals for their own use and transported by them... excise duty shall be charged in the member state in which they are acquired."
A number of EU states, including the UK, have argued that "transported by them" should be strictly interpreted.
The UK could stand to lose more than most countries by a change in the law.
A carton of cigarettes bought at Latvian rates, for example, would be seven times cheaper than in the UK.A carton of cigarettes bought at Latvian rates, for example, would be seven times cheaper than in the UK.
A country like France could benefit from the extra business, and the VAT.