CONFUSION over the abolition of duty-free is causing havoc for travel agents who are being inundated by requests from the public to explain what is happening.
Even though the European Union has been saying for months it is to axe duty-free on Wednesday, there is still confusion over the system that will replace it or even whether the tax will be given a three-month stay of execution.
The Duty-Free Confederation has predicted widespread chaos over the scrapping of the tax and agents say its fears have proved correct.
Paul Dayson, owner and general manager of Spa Travel Worldchoice in Boston Spa, West Yorkshire, said: “It is totally confusing. Nobody knows what the hell is going on – including me. We are getting customers coming in asking what’s going on and I’m having to say to them that I am still trying to find out.
“It is a farce and to make matters worse I am getting contradictory reports from different sources.
“I heard that when a ferry is cruising into French water it can then sell duty-free and other ferries can sell stuff at the prices of the country they are in. What about the airlines – do they adopt the same policy as soon as they are in a different country’s airspace? No-one seems to know.”
Amanda Colledge, assistant manageress of National Holidays in Bridlington, said: “Customers are unsure about what is going on. Is it going to be abolished and what will that mean? It hasn’t really hit home that it’s the end of the line for duty-free.”
Mohamed Kassamali, director of Ray Clark Travel Ltd in Maidstone, added: “On the one hand customers are hearing that duty-free has been axed and on the other that no firm decision has been reached about what will replace it. It’s all very vague and they don’t know what’s going on.”
A Thomas Cook spokeswoman said Customs and Excise officials should have published guidelines for retailers. “We haven’t found it easy to find clear information,” she said.
The confusion is set to grow because airlines are taking different stances in response to the duty-free situation. British Airways and Ryanair will stop selling cigarettes and alcohol on inter-EU flights from July 1 saying the newly outlined system is too complicated and not financially viable.
Swissair, however, plans to start promoting Switzerland’s non-EU status in a bid to get more passengers to travel via its hub in Zurich, where they can still buy duty-free.
The DFC was making a last-ditch attempt to persuade the EU to extend duty-free as Travel Weekly went to press.
Secretary general Barry Goddard said even though Customs and Excise had issued basic guidelines about the new regime for consumers last week, it is still in negotiations with airlines and ferry operators to work out the final arrangements. “It’s not a sensible way to implement fundamental change,” he said.
Mixed-up rules that are causing the chaos
- The price of alcohol and cigarettes may have to be changed mid-flight or mid-ferry crossing from the UK duty rate to that of another EU country.
- Shops on ferries may have to close for half their journey, leading to a scrum when they do reopen.
- Passengers will still be able to buy duty-free drinks at a bar orrestaurant on a ferry, but not in a shop.
- Airlines are planning to give upselling alcohol and cigarettes onflights altogether, claiming itdoesn’t make financial sense anymore.
- Travellers can still buy duty-freeas normal if they are going to anon-EU country. This is likely toconfuse anybody who can’t name all 15 EU countries off the top of their head.
- Customs and excise authorities in each EU country are expected to implement the new rules slightly differently – some may be more strict than others.