Jersey Customs crack down on cigarette allowances

Passengers "became angry" when told to pay duty on cigarettes

Jersey Customs officers are warning people they will be charged the duty on all cigarettes brought into the island over the customs allowances.

Officers say people are buying large packs of tax-free cigarettes without knowing they have to pay duty on them.

The Customs and Immigration Service said it seized 210,000 cigarettes last year from people coming into Jersey.

It said that was a 54% increase on 2010, and added up to £36,000 in duty evasion.

A spokesman from the Customs and Immigration Service said passengers were buying cartons of 400 or 1,000 cigarettes on special offer from duty-free shops and on board flights.

He said passengers became angry or disappointed when they were told to pay the appropriate duty.

Steven Le Marquand, the director of legal status and revenue, has written to UK duty free shops and airlines to remind them ensure passengers are aware of customs allowances.