asked the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a group of students (details supplied) purchased duty free goods from Irish personnel at Moscow Airport last month and had those goods confiscated from them when they arrived at Shannon Airport; and if, as they were unaware of the regulations and were not made aware of them in Moscow, he will arrange to have the goods returned.
Written Answers. - Duty Free Goods.
83.
Under EC law travellers under 17 years of age are not entitled to duty free baggage allowances in respect of tobacco products and alcoholic beverages. On Monday 6 March 1989, the group of students referred to by the Deputy was selected for customs examination in the Green Channel at Shannon Airport. Thirteen students were found to be ineligible on age grounds and were advised that the tobacco products and alcoholic beverages in their possession could only be cleared on payment of the appropriate import charges. One student paid the charges. In the remaining 12 cases, the goods were detained and will be released on payment of the appropriate import charges.
A bottle of spirits found in the possession of one of the students was seized as it was owned by a teacher who had already been granted his full duty free allowances. I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that they have decided to retain this bottle as a seizure.
Entry to a Green Channel is a legal declaration by the traveller that he has nothing more in his possession than the duty free allowances to which he is entitled. The onus rests upon the traveller to acquaint himself with his entitlements, if any, to duty free allowances. Details of these allowances are set out in Notice No. 1735 which is freely available.