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For day trippers, shoppers & visitors to Calais, France and Belgium - looking for tobacco shops - wanting to save money when buying wine, beer, tobacco and food.
August 2007 - All tobacco prices have gone up 6%. A packet of Marlboro now costs 5.30 euro (expect to opay about £3.70.
January 2007 - No increase again in French tobacco prices.
March 2007 - the EU has told France to remove end its policy of imposing a minimum price for tobacco products. EU law only allows for minimum taxation levels.
26th November 2003 - The French Government has reduced the expected 20% increase due January 2004 to 10%. There was no increase in 2005 or 2006.
For U.K. shoppers this means tobacco use to be about 35% cheaper in France - from January 2004 they are now 20% cheaper.
European Court judgement concerning internet purchases of wine and tobacco (23rd November)
Tobacco is cheaper in France and even cheaper in Belgium. Supermarkets don't sell tobacco in France. Prices at TABAC's are regulated so it doesn't matter where you go. Buying 10 cartons of cigarettes in Belgium will save you about £200 at U.K. prices, in France about £185. Pouch tobacco offers the biggest saving especially when bought in Belgium.
Although HM Revenue & Customs suggested limit for personal consumption is now 3,200 cigarettes, this is a guideline only. Warning.
Not available in France and Belgium.
British Government wisdom; Mug an old lady and keep your car, go slightly over the tobacco limit and get your car confiscated.
TAKE CARE! Criminal gangs operate in France and Belgium targetting British cars. More
Beware of counterfeits!
This guide is published by day-tripper.net to encourage U.K. citizens to shop in France and Belgium and beat the appalling Customs and Excise crackdown on European Shoppers, as well as excessive taxation in the U.K.
OFFER 1 - 20% off daytrips to Boulogne with Speedferries. 50 minute crossing. From £20 return (Offer available on this site only)
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www.tabac-info-service.fr - French anti smoking campaign (in French). www.tabac.gouv.fr - All about the new anti smoking laws in France (from February 2007) www.a-cg.com - anti counterfeiting group. |
April 2008 - There have been some tax increases in belgium and Luxembourg. Shopkeepers are trying to hold their sterling prices, but with a continuously weakening Pound, prices have risen this month. January 2008 - Prices unchanged in France, but increases in Luxembourg and Belgium, mainly due to the lousy exchange rate. January 2007 - Prices unchanged in France, but increases in Luxembourg and Belgium. January 2006 - Prices unchanged in France, but small increases in Luxembourg and Belgium. January 2005 - Prices unchanged again, but the manufacturers are changing their prices (some up, some down). January 2004 - 10% increase this year.Seems like they will not increase for a few years now as a result of the protests from French TABAC's. 9th August - Shop in France now! Cigarettes are going up 17% in late OCTOBER and rolling tobacco by 14.2% (from 4.20 euro to 4.80 euro). 20th September 2003 - More bad news. From an article in Le Monde. Prices are to increase again in January 2004 by 20%. In January 2003 a packet of cigarettes cost 3.90 euro, at the end of October it will cost 4.58 euro and next January it will cost 5.48 euro. The price difference with Spain (2,50 euro the package), Luxembourg (2,90), Italy (3,30) or Belgium (3,70) will weigh on the activities of the 34,000 tobacco dealers in France. According to a White Paper, "the market of smuggling represents today 6% of the total market of the sale of tobacco in France". One wonders if they realise that this will rise substantially as it did in the U.K. January 2003 - The Hoverspeed Court victory has seen a substantial increase in the allowances. However, British Revenue & Customs are now (uniquely) subjecting U.K. citizens to checks on the way out of England as well. We think this is scandalous. 6th January 2003 - PRICES GO UP IN FRANCE - Tobacco prices increased substantially in France on January 6th - the most expensive cigarettes increased by 8% and the least expensive of 13% to 16%. The average increase was 15%. For health reasons, taxes on cigarettes went up by 17.5% and on hand rolling tobacco by 25%. On average compared with the U.K., cigarettes are now 39.44% cheaper in France, rolling tobacco 55.67%, pipe tobacco 36.65% and cigars 52.61%. January 2001 - Customs and Excise are having a vigorous campaign to stamp out tobacco smuggling. You may be stopped and told in great detail what you can bring back. If you are caught after this you will face confiscation of your goods and perhaps your vehicle as well. The real smugglers who go by foot face no penalties other than the loss of their goods. The Mafia, who smuggle with container loads must be laughing as their hold on the market is strengthened. |
Fake cigarettes - always look for tar content i.e. nic: 1.0mg and tar: 12mg. Fakes don't have this information. Warning!- shops 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. CREDIT CARDS - we suggest you ring your credit card company before shopping in France - increased fraud means they are turning down shoppers cards if their spending deviates from the norm. Take your mobile - you can often sort the problem out over the phone. Warning! The popular 24 hour tobacco shops in Adinkerke, Belgium are closed 10.00pm - 6.00am. Shopping and Ciggies? Try Centre Commercial Mi-Voix if you want to buy both booze and baccy when in France shopping. Knock, Knock? Believe it or not, but even if you are only slightly over the limit and they let you through, you may get a visit and house search afterwards by C&E. So much for civil liberties in a modern society. Careful! - pouch tobacco in France is sold in 40g packets, in Belgium they are 50g. Get a receipt, particularly if buying in Belgium, you may need it for customs. AVOID buying tobacco in local pubs from Luxembourg - if you don't have a receipt it will be confiscated. Why is there no TABAC at Cité Europe? We often get asked this question. In France TABAC's are effectively a union. The sale of tobacco is also regulated. The number of TABAC's in a town depends on its population. The population of Coquelles is just 1,200 people so it is allowed one TABAC, hence no shop in the shopping centre. If you smoke or know a smoker why not buy your Xmas presents in France and Belgium? Remember you are giving these items as presents - never admit to taking money for them, even from your family. |
Prices are regulated in France and increase annually. In 2003 however cigarette prices went gone up on average just over 9.5% in January. Rolling tobacco a whopping 18.30%. However, the exchange rate was much lower than the previous year and the rise in prices year on year was effectively more. Cigarettes went up by a further 17% October 20th. In January 2004 the increase was about 10%. These increases are part of a deliberate French Government strategy to reduce the number of people smoking in France. |
Some cigarettes are not available in France and Belgium. We know that the following are not available in France; Consulate Menthol, Sovereign, Silk Cut 100's, Royals (at the Euroshop in the Eurotunnel Terminal the following are available; Rothmans Royals, Silk Cut 100's). In France More are called TIME Menthol. In Belgium you cannot get Berkley, John Players Navy Cut non filter, Senior Service non filter, Pall Mall non filter. 2008 - Dorchester and Sovereign are no longer available. there is a new brand to replace them though - Sterling Superkings. In Luxembourg you cannot get Berkeley, Sovereign and Amber Leaf. August 2003 - These brands are now available - Mayfair Superkings, Silk Cut Purple 100s, Benson & Hedges Silver 100's, Mayfair Sky Blue, Club King Size. If you know of any more please let us know - e-mail us. |
Foot Passengers - click here for more information |
Shops in Calais - Only the Continent (now Carrefour Mi-voix) Shopping Centre has a Tobacco Shop. For best prices pay in Sterling cash.
Café Tabac Le Mercure. 221 Bd. Lafayette (opp. Match). Tel/Fax: 0033 321 96 78 68. Open: Monday to Saturday 7.15am - 7.30pm. Sunday Closed. Takes CC's, £'s and euro. Directions; Centre Ville - opposite Match Supermarket - plenty of parking. English spoken, parking for coaches and cars. La Maison du Cadeau Civette. Tel/Fax: 0033 321 34 59 79. 2, Bd. Jacquard, 62100. Calais. Open: Monday - Saturday. A la Civette Tabac-Loto-Cadeaux. Tel: 0033 321 34 64 54. 15, Place d'Armes, 62100. Calais. Tabac Le Cyrano. 86 Bd. Jacquard. Tel: 0033 321 34 43 32. Café - Tabac, Le Persan. 75, Bd. Gambetta, 62100. Calais. Tel: 0033 321 34 62 34. Café - Tabac, Le Saint Germain. 51, Place d'Armes, Calais. Tel & Fax: 0033 321 97 49 90. Open: 6.00am - 1.00am daily. Café - Tabac, Le Salengro. 71, Av. Roger Salengro. 62100. Tel: 0033 321 96 23 36. |
Others (if you find any of these helpful please let us know) Le Balto. 23 Bd. Alliés. Tel: 0033 321 34 50 30. Gérard Leroy. 43 Av. Antoine de Saint Exupéry. Tel: 0033 321 96 12 51. Bar Tabac Le Flash. 43 rue Four à Chaux. Tel: 0033 321 36 36 23. Donald Lockwood. 94 rue Descartes. Tel: 0033 321 34 38 98. Jean-Marie Brunelot. Centre Commercial, rue Henry Matisse. Tel: 0033 321 96 43 02. Agnes Maquignon. 377 Av. Roger Salengro. Tel: 0033 321 96 23 36. Le Calumet. 145 rue Fontinettes. Tel: 0033 321 36 65 89. Le Mazarin. 15 rue Royale. Tel: 0033 321 34 58 46. Chantal Lebrun. 140 Bd. Lafayette. Tel: 0033 321 82 27 02. Jean-Claude Mulard. 119 Bd. Victor Hugo. Tel: 0033 321 97 53 47. Le Cluny. 18, rue Fontinettes. Tel: 0033 321 35 68 92. Tabac Nation. 21 Bd. Egalité. Tel: 0033 321 96 73 66. Le Comptoir. 52 rue Duc de Guise. Tel: 0033 321 34 35 66. Le Narval. rue Constance Cronie. Tel: 0033 321 34 67 19. Cafe Tabac Le Diplomate. 51 rue Thermes. Tel: 0033 321 34 57 35. Cafe Tabac Le Nemrod. 79 rue 11 Novembre. Tel: 0033 321 97 58 10. Cafe Tabac La Fayette. 94 Bd. La Fayette. Tel: 0033 321 36 51 03. Le Palaray. 95 rue Massena. Tel: 0033 321 85 65 59. Cafe Tabac Le Gauloise. 94 rue Descartes. Tel: 0033 321 96 38 58. Le Pénalty. 43 Av. Antoine de Saint Exupéry. Tel: 0033 321 96 79 07. Cafe Tabac Le Gersch. 17 rue André Gershell. Tel: 0033 321 96 08 80. Le Templier. 76 rue Marc. de Lattre de Tassingny. Tel: 0033 321 96 72 05. A La Havane. 218, rue Mollien. Tel: 0033 321 96 63 72. Le Transmanche. 1200 Av. Charles de Gaulle. Coquelles. Tel: 0033 321 82 00 96. |
L’Agriculture Café-Tabac. 4500 rue du Pont d'Oye, Vieille-Eglise. 62162. Open 7.00am - 10.00pm.daily. Tel: 0033 321 35 81 20. Café Hotel Chez Monique. 98 Grand Place. 62179. Audinghen. Tel: 0033 321 87 30 09. www.chezmonique-audinghen.com |
Centre Commercial Auchan - there is no tobacconist here. Centre Commercial Mi-voix. Tobacconist Dereep. Tel: 0033 321 96 71 96. Fax: 0033 321 96 71 96. Open: 9.00am to 7.30pm, Monday to Saturday. Cité Europe Shopping Centre - there is no tobacconist here either - why not? |
When buying up to the suggested British Guidelines for tobacco purchases abroad you will save loads of money - Tobacco prices in France, Belgium and Luxembourg. Sample Prices - 2007 prices (Pouch Tobacco by 50g) |
The most popular cigarette brands in the United Kingdom (2001). Position - Brand - % of Market 1 - Lambert & Butler King Size (Imperial) - 15.93% 2 - Benson & Hedges Special Filter King Size (Gallaher) - 12.55% 3 - Mayfair King Size (Gallaher) - 7.48% 4 - Superkings (Imperial) - 7.13% 5 - Rothmans Royal King Size (Rothmans U.K. - 5.98% 6 - Silk Cut King Size (Gallaher) - 5.88%7 - Marlboro Lights King Size (Imperial) - 5.77% 8 - Regal King Size (Imperial) - 5.22% 9 - Sovereign King Size (Gallaher) - 4.40% 10 - Embassy No. 1 King Size (Imperial) - 4.18% 11 - Lambert & Butler King Size Lights (Imperial) - 3.73% 12 - Superkings Lights (Imperial) - 3.29% 13 - Richmond King Size (Imperial) - 2.86% 14 - Berkeley Superkings (Gallaher) - 2.73% 15 - John Player Special King Size (Imperial) - 2.41% 16 - Mayfair King Size Lights (Gallaher) - 2.33% 17 - Silk Cut Ultra (Gallaher) - 2.32% 18 - Berkeley Superkings Menthol (Gallaher) - 2.06% 19 - Berkeley Superkings Lights (Gallaher) - 1.95% 20 - Marlboro King Size (Imperial) - 1.79% |
There are around 15 million adult smokers in the U.K. which equates to one third of the adult population. U.K. consumers spent almost £12.5 billion on U.K. duty-paid tobacco products in 2000. Sales amounted to 56 billion cigarettes, 2.8 million kg of hand rolling and pipe tobacco and 900 million cigars. The U.K. market for tobacco products has declined. In recent years this trend has been accelerated by the rapid growth of bootlegging and smuggling. Between 1993 and 2000, cigarette sales fell by 38%. Over the same period sales of pipe tobacco, hand rolling tobacco and cigars fell by 57%, 39% and 30% respectively. Last year non-U.K. duty paid consumption of cigarettes stood at around 30% of total consumption. 70% of hand rolling tobacco consumption avoided U.K. taxes. The U.K. Tobacco Manufacturers Gallaher Ltd, Imperial Tobacco Ltd and Rothmans (U.K.) Ltd are the main companies supplying the U.K. market. Whilst cigarettes are the main product, the companies also manufacture hand rolling and pipe tobaccos and cigars for the U.K. and export markets. |
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