Travelling from Bulgaria to UK via Turkey, will I have issues with tobacco products bought from the EU?

So basically I will travel from Sofia, Bulgaria to UK, but I have a layover in Turkey. Previously I've flew the Bulgaria-UK route, but only within the EU borders.

Usually when I do so, I buy cigarettes from Bulgaria(in the bounds of 800 cigarettes, looking at this arrivals from EU countries UK regulation)

My concern is related to the arrivals from non-EU countries UK regulations as well as the turkish import regulations

Is there a problem if I enter Turkey with more than 200 cigarettes ? Is my travel considered from non-EU country when arriving in the UK ?

uk customs-and-immigration turkey eu duty-free

Best Answer

To avoid any problems, make sure you stay airside in Turkey otherwise you'll have to face Turkish customs and the UK will see you as arriving from a non-EU country.

Is there a problem if I enter Turkey with more than 200 cigarettes ?

If you enter Turkey, anything on top of the 200 cigarette limit is subject to a 57.6% duty¹rate² and an 18% VAT and a special consumption tax.

Is my travel considered from non-EU country when arriving in the UK ?

The UK considers the originating flight to determine where you're coming from, so if you don't enter Turkey (that is, leave the EU) you're technically coming from an EU country as Turkey stamps on exit and entry, meaning the UK will know you've left the EU, however temporarily.

^{¹ Select "Chapter 24", then "2402", then "2402.90.00.00.00"
² Pay-walled, but you can make a one day free temporary account to see that page.}

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How much tobacco are you allowed to bring back from the EU?

Tobacco productsHigher limitLower limit200 cigarettes or 100 cigarillos or 50 cigars or 250 g tobacco40 cigarettes or 20 cigarillos or 10 cigars or 50 g tobaccoOct 11, 2021

Can you bring cigarettes back from Bulgaria?

40 cigarettes, 20 cigarillos, 10 cigars, 50g of smoking tobacco for all other travellers. You may combine any of these products provided that you do not exceed the total limit. 4L of wine and 16L of beer, plus either 1L of spirits over 22% volume or 2L of alcoholic beverages less than 22% volume.

Can you bring tobacco from EU to UK?

You can bring in one from the following: 200 cigarettes. 100 cigarillos. 50 cigars.

Can you bring tobacco into the UK?

You can bring in 200 cigarettes, 100 cigarillos, 50 cigars, 250g tobacco, or 200 sticks of tobacco for electronic heated tobacco devices. You are allowed to split this allowance \u2013 for example, you could bring in 100 cigarettes and 25 cigars (both half of your allowance).

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