'Duty Free' in Ostend

[Guapa]

Some of you may be familiar with Ostend based duty free supplier General Stores in Ostend.
Some of you may even had stores impounded in the UK [img]/forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif[/img]

Anyway... till 2 months ago duty free goods were effectively duty free (no VAT and no excise). Now, due to EU and HMRC protestations, things have changed.

Received the following from Belgian Douane (C&E).

1. Stores can be bought legally.
2. No excise is payable.
3. VAT is payable (the biggest change).
4. Stores can only be consumed outside territorial waters
5. There is no limit on the amount purchased.
6. Goods unconsumed must be declared upon arrival in port, apart from the personal 'allowance'.
7. Personal allowance is 1ltr of alcohol and 1 carton (200) of cigarettes per person (over 18!!) on board. There's no limit on the amount of beer you're allowed, provided it can reasonably be claimed to be for your own consumption.

When you purchase anything, Belgian C&E passes this on to the relevant authorities in your home country.
There is an 'understanding' between HMRC and Belgian C&E that they will leave yachts that stay within the limit of the personal allowance alone.

A word of warning: when you buy stores in Ostend, do not be tempted to start consuming them straight away. Two weeks ago I ordered some booze and fags from General Stores - delivery 10H00. Around 15H00, guess who came on board? Douane - their sole purpose? To check if I still had everything - unopened.

Last but not least: General Stores no longer deliver to Nieuwpoort, Blankenberge or Zeebrugge. Ostend only!