Press Release: Traveller’s allowances: Commission proposes to increase limits for alcohol and tobacco imported into Sweden from other Member States

The European Commission has put forward a proposal to authorise Sweden to substantially increase in several steps the quantities of alcoholic drinks and tobacco products that can be brought into Sweden by private persons coming from other Member States without having to pay excise duties in Sweden. Under the proposal, Sweden also has to abolish the restrictions by 1 January 2004.

The proposal follows intensive discussions between the Commission and Sweden. 'I believe that the solution found is fair and reasonable. It will bring a definitive end to these restrictions from 2004, after which people will be able to enjoy their fundamental Internal Market rights by bringing in alcoholic beverages from other Member States for their own personal use without limit. At the same time, the proposal allows a short further extension to allow Sweden to put in place alternative measures, such as public information campaigns, to protect public health' commented Taxation Commissioner Frits Bolkestein.