New regulations on duty-free come into force

Anyone coming back from holidays in South Africa and other destinations as of today (December 1st) will be able to benefit from new rules on duty-free allowances.Where previously, the total amount that people could bring back into the UK was £145 worth of goods, it will now be £300.

In addition, the amount of individual products allowed in will also rise.

Travellers will now be able to bring back 16 litres of beer and four litres of wine, instead of two.

In addition, the previous rules on perfume will be scrapped and these products will now be categorised as other goods.

“This new rate for all EU member states will be a welcome boost to holidaymakers,” said Stephen Timms, financial secretary to the Treasury.

According to a poll carried out by Tesco Travel Money Card, 40 per cent of holidaymakers say they regret their choice of souvenirs once they get home and a quarter even go so far as to throw them away.