The booze cruise, which waned in popularity, is now making a strong come back.
British consumers are finding they can make great savings by crossing the Channel to France where the euro has weakened and the taxes are less.
UK taxes are eight times greater than those in France
While the VAT rates in both countries now stand at 20%, the alcohol tax or “excise duty” on a bottle of wine has gone up by 72p in Britain since 2007 compared to just 2p in France.
Shoppers in the UK pay £2.05 alcohol tax per bottle before VAT is added compared with just 23p in France.
Brits have no import tax to pay as long as the alcohol is for personal use. According to HMRC, “there are no limits as long as you don’t intend to sell the wine.”
Savings of around 50% per bottle of French and Italian wines have been reported.
Exchange firm Caxton FX has found a 14% increase in one year in the number of Brits shopping at the French supermarket Carrefour where it is possible to stock up on other French products as well.
Majestic Wines in France and Calais Wine Superstore have welcomed an upturn in British customers, especially from couples spending £1,000 for wedding receptions.
Craig Nelson from Calais Wine Superstore, said: “We have 10 wedding orders a day. On some premium wines you’re saving as much as £10 a bottle, just because of the tax and difference with the euro. It’s completely different to buying in Britain.”
Some wine merchants in France even cover the cost of the ferry crossing when a certain amount of wine is pre-booked.
