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- Tobacco Price Survey

- Tobacco in Belgium, France, Luxembourg, E.U. Countries

- HM Revenue & Customs

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- Buying tobacco over the internet

- What to buy in France

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What you can buy;

ALCOHOL - 110 lts beer, 90 lts wine, 10 lts spirits, 20 lts fortified wine.

TOBACCO - 3,200 cigarettes, 200 cigars, 400 cigarillos, 3 Kg smoking tobacco.

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Cigarettes and tobacco - price survey

November 2008 - In Belgium cigarettes now cost £36.50 (Benson's), and Golden Virginia now costs £4.20 a pack.

October 2008 - In Belgium Golden Virginia now £3.95. Most cigarettes now £34.50.

May 2008 - Golden Virginia is now £3.80 in Luxembourg.

April 2008 - 10th. Golden Virginia now £3.90 (50grams), cigarettes are now £34.50 a sleeve (200). Golden Virginia is now £3.74 in Luxembourg.

April 2008 - Golden Virginia now £3.85 (50grams), cigarettes are still £34.00 a sleeve (200).

March 2008 - Golden Virginia now £3.80 (50grams), cigarettes are still £32.50 a sleeve (200).

January 2008 - Cigarettes now £31.50 a sleeve. G.V. is £3.65 a pack. This is down to the very bad exchange rate. In Luxembourg Golden Virginia now £3.60 a pack in Luxembourg (January 2008). Cigarettes are £26.76 a sleeve. In Sluis prices start at £29.50 for cigarettes and GV costs £3.90.

Price history

Price check (June 2007) Fancy that! People moan that things are not what they use to be. However if you consider that Golden Virginia cost £1.80 in Belgium in 1998 and in the U.K. it cost £7.80, that equals a saving of £6.00 a packet (50 grams). In 2007 the Belgium price has risen to £3.15, and in England it is now £10.66. The saving is now £7.51 a packet.

With cigarettes the saving has actually widened even more. In 1998 Marlboro cost £1.91 in Belgium in 1998 and in the U.K. it cost £3.36, that equals a saving of £1.45 a packet. In 2007 the Belgium price has risen to £2.90, and in England it is now £5.31. The saving is now £2.41 a packet.

Pouch tobacco is sold in 40g packets in France, in Belgium they are 50g. Keeping track of prices in France and Belgium is a difficult process. In Adinkerke, Belgium (where most tobacco is sold) prices are exclusively quoted in Pound Sterling and fierce competition results in prices changing almost daily. In France prices are always quoted in euro (but they take sterling). As Britain is not part of the Euro, Sterling fluctuates up and down like a yo-yo, so what seems like a good deal one week may well change if the Pound dives or strengthens. These prices are therefore a guide only.

Whilst every care has been taken to ensure the accuracy of these surveys, and day-tripper.net has carried out considerable in depth research, they should be seen as a guide only and not definitive.

Tobacco is cheaper in France and even cheaper in Belgium compared with the U.K. Recent prices rises in France have made it worthwhile travelling up to Adinkerke in Belgium if buying larger quantities particularly of rolling tobacco. Cigarettes are considerably cheaper in Luxembourg. Luxembourg is cheaper still overall as they have lower excise duties and their VAT rates are much lower on both tobacco and wine. More stores are opening here to cope with the increase in British shoppers. It is not just day-trippers who save - short stay visitors have realized that their holidays can be paid for, simply by shopping for tobacco on the way back.

Remember that supermarkets don't sell tobacco in France.

As for the best prices, it doesn't matter where you go in France as prices at all TABAC's are regulated. However shops in Calais and Adinkerke often use a generous exchange rate when working out the Sterling CASH price, so do take plenty of sterling cash when buying tobacco to get the best prices. Whilst you can pay by credit card, bear in mind that the price that shows on your statement will be about 7% more than the sterling prices listed in the shop.

Always make sure you get a receipt for HM Revenue & Customs.

WARNING! Don't believe the adverts saying you can buy as much as you like - British Revenue & Customs are now seeing the new guidelines as OVER SIX MONTHS, and will mark your passport if stopped. They are also now checking shoppers when they leave the U.K.

Tobacco brands not sold in France

Older price history


Book a ferry to France

OFFER 1 - Cheapest ferry fares Dover to Calais with P O Ferry. Cheap daytrip from £20 only (No fuel surcharge, subject to availability).

OFFER 2 - Brittany Ferries Xmas Offer - Daytrip from £65 (£25 a car plus £20 per passenger, minimum two people)

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Direct Booking links

Transmanche Ferries DieppeLD Lines Ferry Le HavreTranseuropa Ferries
Norfolkline Dover to Dunkirk-click here
click hereDFDS Ferries Newcastle
eurostar trainEurotunnel to Calaisraileurope

Book a Hotel in France, Belgium and Europe

Useful outside links

- British American Tobacco. www.bat.com

 - Gallagher Group

- Altria Group (was Philip Morris). www.philipmorrisinternational.com

- Imperial Tobacco. www.imperial-tobacco.com

- Tobacco news international. www.tobacco.org

membres.lycos.fr/houel/cigarette - Old Cigarette packets - site for collectors worldwide

Old price history information

January 2008 - Golden Virginia now £3.65, most cigarettes now £31.50.

November 2007 -Golden Virginia now £3.16 a pack in Luxembourg. France; Cigarettes now £30.50 a sleeve. G.V. still £3.50 a pack.

October 2007 - The price of Golden Virginia is now £3.50 (50 grams) in Belgium. In Luxembourg it costs £3.08.

September 2007 - Prices up in Belgium. Most cigarettes now £30 a sleeve, Golden Virginia £3.30.

August 2007 - Prices in France have gone up 6%, a pack of Marlboro now costs 5.30 euro (expect to pay about £3.70)

March 2007 - Golden Virginia now £3.15 a pack. Most cigarettes are now £29.00 per 200. U.K. Budget adds £1.10 to a sleeve of cigarettes, and 22 pence to each 50 gram pack of Rolling tobacco.

January 2007 - Golden Virginia now £3.05 a pack. Most cigarettes still £27.00 per 200.

October 2006 - A change in prices in Belgium! Many cigarettes are now down to £27.00. Golden Virginia remains at £2.85. A reminder that to get these prices you must pay in sterling CASH.

September 2006 - Golden Virginia now £2.85 a pack. Most cigarettes still £27.00 per 200.

February 2006 - Golden Virginia now £2.90 a pack. Most cigarettes still £27.50 per 200.

September 2005 - Golden Virginia now £2.85 a pack. Most cigarettes now £27.50 per 200.

May 2005 - Good news - due to a price war between the suppliers some brands are cheaper. Lambert & Butler will now cost £25 for two months at least. Royals are also £24.00, JPS £21.00, Mayfair £21.00. You must pay in sterling cash to get these prices.

March 2005 - cigarettes now £27.00 and Golden Virginia is £ 2.75. The reduction in price is due to the fact the shops can NO LONGER give free gifts such as lighters away. Many shops have large stocks of lights and are selling them off for 5 - 10p each.

December 2004 - Golden Virginia now £2.80 a pack (£9.49 in London). Cigarettes are £27.50 a sleeve (200).

November 2004 - cigarettes now £27.50 a sleeve. This is due to a 2 euro increase in tax and the lousy exchange rate. Golden Virginia now £2.80.

September 2004 - Golden Virginia now £2.60 a pack.

August 2004 - Cigarettes have gone up again to £26.00 The exchange rate and new taxes are being blamed.

July 2004 - A warning - there are increasingly amounts of counterfeit tobacco in circulation. Even C&E are now listing the proportion of counterfeit tobacco on our streets. They often contain excessive levels of tar and nicotine, presenting an increased risk to smokers. For example, fake cigarettes seized in Camden in 2002 were found to contain 75% more tar, 28% more nicotine, and 36% more carbon monoxide.

April 2004 - £25 again, lets hope it stays here.

March 2004 - £25! - Excellent news. Due to the improving exchange rate, the Adinkerke shopkeepers have once again responded positively by reducing prices. Cigarettes are now £25, Golden Virginia £2.55.

January 2004 - Prices increases in the Netherlands mean it is no longer worthwhile going there. Belgium is now the best bet for day-trippers. France is still worthwhile - cigarettes are about 26% cheaper than the U.K. Cigarettes are now £26 a sleeve in Belgium (Silk Cut), about £36 in France, £23 in Luxembourg, £19 in Spain and about £49 in the U.K.

December 2003 -The Belgian Government has a tax increase planned on all rolling tobacco from 10 euro cent per pouch (+/- 7 pence per pouch). On cigarettes it will be about 2 euro per sleeve. These are expected sometime in December or early January.

December 2003 - Golden Virginia and Old Holborn are now £2.59. Cigarettes will go up in the New Year as there is a 2 euro increase for most brands.

20th July - In Belgium, Golden Virginia and Old Holborn now £2.55 a pouch, cigarettes are now £25.00. However freebies are no longer being given out. After consulting customers the shops decided to lower prices instead.

30th June - In Belgium, Golden Virginia and Old Holborn now £2.50 a pouch, cigarettes are now £24.50. However freebies are no longer being given out. After consulting customers the shops decided to lower prices instead.

18th June - In Belgium, Golden Virginia and Old Holborn now £2.65 a pouch, cigarettes are unchanged at £25.00.

7th May - Golden Virginia and Old Holborn now £2.55 a pouch, cigarettes are up to £25.00.

22nd April - Golden Virginia and Old Holborn now £2.47 a pouch, cigarettes are up to £23.50.

March 2003 - U.K. pouch tobacco up 16p per 50g packets, cigarettes up 8p packet of 20.

28th February - Golden Virginia and Old Holborn now £2.42 a pouch, cigarettes are up to £23.00.

Cigarettes can also be contaminated with substances such as plastics, wrapping materials, and even sand.

How to spot a fake:

Fake cigarettes usually have packaging that closely resembles the brands they imitate, while the cigarettes themselves often taste noticeably different. Look closely for spelling mistakes in the small print on the box. Other clues are foreign, or misspelt safety warnings – or no safety warnings at all. If in doubt, buy from a reputable stockist or duty-free outlet. More

What to buy and where

If you pay with credit cards in France, prices on the ferry (PO Ferries) tend to be cheaper. Strictly speaking they should be the same as France, but the companies set their prices for months at a time and shoppers often (but not always) benefit from the favourable exchange rates used. Shopkeepers in France and Belgium tend to use a favourable exchange rate when working out prices in Sterling, which you only get if you pay in Sterling cash.

We always advise shoppers to pay using sterling cash when buying tobacco in Calais, Adinkerke or Luxembourg.

Despite the big increases recently in French tobacco taxes, it remains worthwhile shopping in France. If paying sterling cash, cigarettes are 1.40 times more expensive in the U.K. than France, rolling tobacco is nearly 1.68 times more expensive in the U.K, and cigars are 1.35 times more expensive.

Compared with Belgium, cigarettes in the U.K. are 1.56 times more expensive, rolling tobacco is nearly 2.77 times more expensive, and cigars are 1.91 times more expensive.

The biggest change in prices since our first survey six years ago, has been the reduction in the amount that can be saved. You use to be able to save about £1,200 if buying the full amount suggested by the guidleines, but now the figure is about £930. Because cigarettes are cheapest in Luxembourg and the exchange rates used the most generous, the savings increase to £965 if shopping there.

On the ferry, tobacco prices are generally much cheaper than in an English Shop, and slightly less than in France. Compared with the U.K., prices were;

Survey date September 2008. Rate used 1.23 euro to the Pound.

If you buy part of your allowance -Golden Virginia (rolling tobacco 3Kg) and cigarettes (3,200 or 16 sleeves of 200)Total savings % saving on U.K. price
- In France you will save (Credit Card):

The savings when using sterling cash are marginal in France.

£517.87or33.66%
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In Belgiumand Luxembourg they give a generous exchange rate, so it is adviseable to use sterling cash.
- In Belgium you will save (Credit Card):£697.14or45.31%
If you pay with sterling cash the saving is even more£738.60or48.00%
- In Luxembourg you will save (Credit Card):£762.18or49.54%
If you pay with sterling cash the saving is even more£789.48or51.31%
If you buy your full allowance(rolling tobacco 3Kg / cigarettes 3,200 / cigarillos 400 /cigars 200)
- If buying your full allowance in France you will save:

The savings when using sterling cash are marginal in France.

£635.25or33.18%
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In Belgiumand Luxembourg they give a generous exchange rate, so it is adviseable to use sterling cash.
- In Belgium you will save (Credit Card):£874.68or45.69%
If you pay with sterling cash the saving is even more£928.52or48.50%
- In Luxembourg you will save (Credit Card):£929.97or48.57%
If you pay with sterling cash the saving is even more£964.44or50.38%

Note; To calculate these prices, the following items were researched; Benson and Hedges Cigarettes, Half Coruna cigars, Cafe Creme cigarillos and Golden Virginia Tobacco. All prices compared with the cheapest rate in Sainsbury or Tesco.

Our survey prices are shown in £'s for convenience of comparison (also, most Belgian and French shops have prices in Sterling).

In France pouch tobacco is sold in 40g packs. The prices used for comparison purposes are per 50g.

In France and Belgium you do not get quantity discounts. On the ferries or Eurotunnel you occasionally do.

Shops in both France and Belgium use a generous rate of exchange PROVIDING you pay sterling cash. Do not be misled by the large prices in sterling - the rate you actually get on your card will be different and less favourable.

The top selling cigarettes are; Benson & Hedges, Regal, Superkings Black, Lambert & Butler, Embassy No. 1, Marlboro Light, JPS, Mayfair and Silk Cut.

The top selling Rolling tobacco's are; Golden Virginia, Old Holborn and Drum.

Save £635 in France, £929 in Belgium, £964 in Luxembourg and stay within the limits!

French Tax increases

The French Government dramatically increased prices in 2003 for health reasons. In 2008 they went up again by 9.00%.

None the less, it is still very much cheaper shopping in France or Belgium than in the U.K. For example rolling tobacco is 63.87% cheaper in Belgium (France 40.33%), and cigarettes are 35.96% cheaper (France 28.59%).

Save in France or Belgium
When buying up to the suggested British Guidelines for tobacco purchases abroad you will save loads of money (2008 prices).
If you bought; Guideline in Belgium in France in the U.K.
Cigarettes (Benson & Hedges) 3,200
Save -
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Cigarillos (HW Café Créme Mild) 400
Save -
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Rolling Tobacco (Golden Virginia) 3 Kg
Save -
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Cigars - (King Edward Invincible) 200
Save -
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Save -
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Other countries

European Tobacco prices from the Tobacco Manufacturers Association. www.the-tma.org.uk

If you have the latest prices from other countries let us know and we will publish the info.on the Tobacco in Spain page.

Tobacco in E.U. Countries - Tobacco in Luxembourg

Sample Prices - 2008 prices (Pouch Tobacco by 50g)

- Price in U.K. £x Belgium £x Luxembourg £x - Price in U.K. £x Belgium £x Luxembourg £x
- Price in U.K. £x Belgium £x Luxembourg £x - Price in U.K. £x Belgium £x Luxembourg £x
- Price in U.K. £5.47 Belgium £3.50 Luxembourg £3.14 - Price in U.K. £x Belgium £x Luxembourg £x
- Price in U.K. £x Belgium £x Luxembourg £xThese are guide prices only calculated at an exchange rate of 1.23 euro to the Pound. Prices in Belgium yo-yo up and down all the time due to the intense competition.