The Minister for Finance, Paschal Donohoe, has confirmed that duty-free between Ireland and the UK will return in the event of a no-deal Brexit.
The Minister released a statement yesterday following the UK Chancellor’s announcement that the UK intends to reintroduce duty-free shopping for passengers travelling to EU countries if the UK leaves the EU without a deal.
He added, however, that the announcement does not apply to passenger travel on the island of Ireland, between North and South.
He confirmed that there will be no duty-free regime for passenger travel between the two jurisdictions on the island.
Reciprocal Protection
Minister Donohoe said that the announcement was in line with previously-passed legislation in the Oireachtas, in that Ireland would also allow for duty-free purchases for those travelling from Ireland to the UK.
The Minister revealed that the Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union (Consequential Provisions) Bill 2019, which was published in February, was set up for such an event.
“The effect of the announcement by the UK Government today on the return of duty-free shopping between the UK and EU Member States means that Ireland in respecting our international obligations will, as intended, reciprocate the UK Government’s decision and facilitate duty-free purchases for passengers travelling from Ireland to UK ports and airports,” the Minister said.
“Passengers to Ireland purchasing duty-free goods in the UK must adhere to the personal consumption limits set out in EU law.”
© 2019 Checkout – your source for the latest Irish retail news. Article by Aidan O’Sullivan. Click sign-up to subscribe to Checkout.
