Are there any checks being made on drinks imports at channel ports?

[Kups]

Has anyone been checked for the amount of wine, beer and spirits they have brought back through the french channel ports this year?
I've not heard of anyone being checked, we certainly haven't. Just the usual drugs handle wipe and stowaway check.
Friends of ours came back last week with nearly 70 bottles of still wine and 6 litres of spirits between two people. Nobody at the port showed any interest in their imports.

What's going on?
Have Customs and Excise given up or are they simply not interested in a few extra bottles.

Asking on behalf of a friend!

 

[Lenny HB]

Been across at least 7 times since BX never been asked.

 

[sueandjohn]

We’ve not been checked . Just looking for stowaways

 

[Riverbankannie]

We were pulled over and put through the 3D machine at Folkestone last Thursday. If they saw our haul, there was no comment made !

 

[Bevlar]

Only check we had was going out from Portsmouth to make sure we weren't trafficking stowaways back to France

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[cruiser]

We are the same checked at Portsmouth on the way out.. not on the way back in. And no checks on our paper work in to Spain. Or out.

 

[BriannYe]

We got stopped at Dover when coming back on the last trip. Just asked what countries we had been too. We said we had only been to France. He then asked how long we had the van, we said bought in England last year. He then waved us through.

 

[Emmit]

Pre Bx. we were seriously asked by French customs if we had any cigarettes before we boarded the ferry to Plymouth.

When I replied truthfully to the negative, I was given the steely gaze and the question was repeated.

I gave him my, "Don't cha understand English" look and repeated my answer.

Why I was asked is beyond my comprehension as we were allowed a gazillion under EU rules and we were leaving the country.

 

[The Wino]

We weren't checked this year but like most things you have to weigh up the chances of being stopped but if you risk it be prepared to pay the penalty if caught.

 

[jongood]

Not been checked, been several times

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[Landy lover]

We have only ever been checked for illegals

 

[autorouter]

At Newhaven the other day there was a passport check as we got off the ferry, and somone checked inside the MH for undeclared passengers. Then just further on another customs bloke asked us about any alcohol/tobacco we were carrying. We told him only had s few bottles of wine and zero tobacco, and he was happy with that. Didn't try to inspect any of it.

 

[chaser]

We were put through the check thing where you have to get out and walk alongside, Julie, always eager to talk to anyone french got chatting to the bloke doing the check and asked him what they were checking for, he said explosives, she says, thank God I thought you were looking for wine, he just laughed and said,is it french, she said yes he says that's ok then, and never even looked in.

 

[Ingwe]

Been across at least 7 times since BX never been asked.

Ditto

 

[Riverbankannie]

We were put through the check thing where you have to get out and walk alongside, Julie, always eager to talk to anyone french got chatting to the bloke doing the check and asked him what they were checking for, he said explosives, she says, thank God I thought you were looking for wine, he just laughed and said,is it french, she said yes he says that's ok then, and never even looked in.

That’s more or less what happened to us. We were well over the limit but they really don’t care.

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[EuroTrotters]

We were in my car a couple of times at Portsmouth. Both times heading for Spain.

Got pulled over and a young lad from border force asked me to open the boot. When he looked in, shone is torch in the boot and said what’s in there, I said Christmas gifts, mainly booze. Ok he said.

Another time, I had a chainsaw in the back (see photo). I was asked to open the boot, bloke said, is there any petrol in that. I said no. He never checked and I was sent to boarding.

I’ve been asked a few times on the way into UK. Stopped a couple of times and that’s it.

 

[nicholsong]

We were in my car a couple of times at Portsmouth. Both times heading for Spain.

Got pulled over and a young lad from border force asked me to open the boot. When he looked in, shone is torch in the boot and said what’s in there, I said Christmas gifts, mainly booze. Ok he said.

Another time, I had a chainsaw in the back (see photo). I was asked to open the boot, bloke said, is there any petrol in that. I said no. He never checked and I was sent to boarding.

I’ve been asked a few times on the way into UK. Stopped a couple of times and that’s it.View attachment 685995View attachment 685996

Probably lucky you were not pulled by DVSA for weighing, Trev.

 

[EuroTrotters]

Probably lucky you were not pulled by DVSA for weighing, Trev.

I weighed the Toyota at our local flour mill.

Just under .

It’s more bulk than weight.

But I asked my wife not to fart without first opening the window. Otherwise we might die.

 

[chaser]

If you think about it though, the french aren't worried how much wine you bring back, all revenue to them.

 

[Lenny HB]

If you think about it though, the french aren't worried how much wine you bring back, all revenue to them.

It's not illegal to take it out of France it's bringing into England that could cause a problem.

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