New cigarette restrictions for travellers

Travellers returning from the new EU member countries of Bulgaria and Romania will be subject to limits on the number of cigarettes they can take home without paying duty.

Holidaymakers bringing back more than 200 cigarettes from either country will have to pay UK duty on their purchase.

The government warns travellers if the excess is not declared all of the cigarettes could be seized.

Other tobacco products can be brought in under normal EU law, which allows passengers to bring back as much alcohol and tobacco as they wish, provided it is for personal use only.

The limits are being enforced for the transitional period until Romania and Bulgaria meet the EU's minimum duty rates on cigarettes, HM Revenue and Customs explained.

The move comes as the EU announces it will be doubling the limit of duty-free goods travellers can bring in from outside of the EU from £140 worth of goods to £290 from summer 2007.