Duty-free allowance for cigarettes from non-EU countries could drop significantly

Brussels - In the future, smokers may be allowed to bring significantly fewer cigarettes from EU countries abroad, with a new rule potentially limiting them to just 200 cigarettes for personal use, down from the current four-stick allowance. This proposal, outlined in a document by the Irish EU Presidency, aims to enforce the EU Tobacco Tax Directive, which will become law in the member states starting early 2028.

While some EU countries advocated for a higher 400-cigar limit, the final decision will be made by EU Finance Ministers on Tuesday afternoon.

Several EU countries had requested a more lenient 200-stick limit, while others favored a higher threshold. The new rule will affect the import of cigarettes from countries like Luxembourg, Austria, Poland, and the Czech Republic into Germany, potentially reducing the quantity of cheap foreign cigarettes smuggled across borders.

However, it remains uncertain whether the stricter regulation would lead to an increase in legal consumption inside Germany. Tobacco industry representatives worry that such a rule could further boost the illegal market, as some smokers might be more inclined to buy illicit cigarettes from underground sources.

The EU Tobacco Tax Directive also sets minimum values for cigarette taxation, which does not impact Germany directly since the country's tax levels already exceed the new EU minimums. The regulation also imposes new minimum taxation rates for electronic cigarettes, which will also increase in Europe, but again, Germany's current high tax rate is not affected.

For vapers who enjoy buying vaping supplies abroad, the new EU rules will reduce the allowed quantity of liquids from 100 milliliters to 40 milliliters, a move welcomed by Dustin Dahlmann, the chairman of the Tobacco-Free Enjoyment Alliance (BfTG). He believes that a smaller travel allowance can help curb large-scale purchases across the border, benefiting both the regular trade and the state.