As Benson and Hedges are no longer available to buy in the shops here, then I am considering bringing in lots (3,000) when I return from a business trip next week. I would go through the customs, declare them and pay the duty on them no problem, but am a little unsure, as worried the customs may just confiscate them instead. Has anybody tried to do this before? Duty payable, any idea what it is per carton?

I don't believe there is any mechanism in place for paying duty on over-limit ciggies and booze even if you go through the red channel.

The presence of an excess drop-box (for you to dump over-limit goods) by the green line rather than a sign pointing to the red so you can declare and pay duty tends to reinforce this notion.

Anyone with actual experience of declaring and paying??

I have been told they will just take them.

Good! Less poison being brought into the country!!

A lot of airport duty-staff will very soon be smoking Benson & Hedges

This has been tried before by many, and they will be confiscated and possibly a (rather large) fine imposed if they are feeling that way inclined.

The official line is that you need an import license to bring in more than the duty free allowance, no option to pay duty on them.

This has been tried before by many, and they will be confiscated and possibly a (rather large) fine imposed if they are feeling that way inclined.

The official line is that you need an import license to bring in more than the duty free allowance, no option to pay duty on them.

I told yooooou soooooo.

Thanks guys, exactly why I asked and I'll just bring my allowed 200 in then.