Cigarettes: a likely fall in the number of cartons brought into the country

Until now, it has been possible to bring back up to 4 cartons per person from a stay abroad. But that limit could fall to 1 carton in the coming months. Explanations.

From 800 to 200 imported cigarettes

Before 2014, smokers could bring back up to 10 cartons of cigarettes per person from a foreign country. After that date, the limit fell to 4, along with 200 cigars, 400 cigarillos and 1 kg of smoking tobacco. Today that limit is being called into question again. It is a bill that falls directly within the scope of the amending finance bill for 2020. The news is not welcomed by smokers, who could soon be allowed to bring back a single carton.

The argument of the fight against smoking is of course put forward by the authorities, but it is not the only one. The aim is also to curb regular purchases at the country’s various borders. Cigarette prices there are lower, because they are less heavily taxed, and many French people were willing to travel a long way to build up a small stock.

Very wide price gaps

France, which has opted for a 10-euro packet of cigarettes in the coming months, faces stiff competition from its neighbours. In Spain, for example, the price displayed can be up to 50% lower than in France for the same brand of cigarettes.

In Belgium it is up to 35% cheaper for the same products. The same goes for Germany, while Luxembourg shows prices up to 45% lower. The widest gap of all is with Andorra, where prices can be as much as 65% lower.

Members of parliament are determined to give customs teams and the police greater powers. By lowering the limit on the number of cartons brought back, they hope to discourage smokers a little further from buying abroad.