6. Shopping: your rights and what you can bring home

Shopping within the EU

There are no limits on what you can take with you between EU countries, as long as it is for your own use and not for resale. VAT and excise duties are included in the price, so you pay nothing more at home.

For alcohol and tobacco, countries use guide levels to tell personal use from trade, for example 800 cigarettes, 10 litres of spirits, 90 litres of wine (up to 60 litres sparkling) and 110 litres of beer. Some countries set different figures – check with the customs authority of the country you are going to.

Coming back from outside the EU

• Other goods: up to €430 if you travel by plane or ship, €300 by land.
• Alcohol: 4 litres of still wine and 16 litres of beer, plus either 1 litre of spirits over 22% or 2 litres of fortified or sparkling wine.
• Tobacco: usually 200 cigarettes or the equivalent; some countries apply a lower limit of 40 cigarettes.
• Under 17s get no duty-free allowance for alcohol and tobacco.

Your rights as a shopper

• Online shopping: you can usually cancel and send back goods bought online within 14 days without giving a reason.
• Guarantee: if a product is faulty, the seller must repair, replace or refund it – the legal guarantee lasts at least 2 years everywhere in the EU, wherever you bought it.
• A problem with a shop in another EU country? The European Consumer Centres (ECC-Net) help for free.
• Not an EU resident? You can often get VAT back on goods you take out of the EU – ask the shop for a tax-free form.

Sources: Your Europe – alcohol, tobacco and cash · Your Europe – guarantees and returns · European Consumer Centres Network Checked: 2 October 2026.