Cuts to duty free cigarette limts from 1 September

[horseman]

Nah your larger sizes, presidente and so forth easily hit the 50 gram limit in one stick. These larger sizes in particular are priced much more reasonably in the us than we see here

 

[Sprucegoose]

I disagree folks. Yes the Labor government followed through with their tough anti-smoking policies and at the same time increased some tax revenue as travellers who use to bring in 10 packets, now have to at least buy 8 fully taxed packets locally. Which smoker stops at two packets anyway? The people in the worse positions are those on the front line officers ie at our airports/ports etc who now only have to protect our borders from various MORE DANGEROUS issues eg. drugs, weapons, quarantine issues ... but now waste some of the time monitoring excess packets of cigarettes.

More IMPORTANTLY ... and I place great emphasis of IMPORTANTLY, is that when the Liberal Government comes in next year, they will not reverse these duty free concession limits. So before you lay blame on Labor for these changes, remember that Abbott has done little to oppose to these changes and we all know Abbott loves negativity by jumping up and down saying how terrible things are, will never ever reverse these concessions.

That is over politicization, depersonalize your comments and stick to policy. You are a Great soothsayer in predicting the next government.

 

[medhead]

Nah your larger sizes, presidente and so forth easily hit the 50 gram limit in one stick. These larger sizes in particular are priced much more reasonably in the us than we see here

If you look at the actually allowance, instead of making false assumptions, you will see that the allowance is 50 sticks. So as I said 2 packets.

From 1 September 2012, the traveller tobacco concession reduces. If you are aged 18 years or over you can bring 50 cigarettes or 50 grams of cigars or tobacco products duty-free into Australia with you. All tobacco products in accompanied baggage are included in this category, regardless of how or where they were purchased.

duty free concession

 

[horseman]

From 1 September 2012, the traveller tobacco concession reduces. If you are aged 18 years or over you can bring 50 cigarettes or 50 grams of cigars or tobacco products duty-free into Australia with you. All tobacco products in accompanied baggage are included in this category, regardless of how or where they were purchased.


So like I said, large cigars can easily be 50grams per cigar, so "50 grams of cigars or tobacco products" is one cigar

 

[anat0l]

If you look at the actually allowance, instead of making false assumptions, you will see that the allowance is 50 sticks. So as I said 2 packets.]

So if the tobacco is rolled already, then that is a "stick" allowance, whereas if it is loose that is the "weight" allowance? Or, is it, as horseman is implying, the 50 grams applies irrespective of how the tobacco is prepared (stick or loose)?

What stops someone from rolling their own tobacco into very fat cylinders that would normally easily exceed 50 grams, yet they could pass it off as a stick? I assume there is a definition.

 

[Alanslegal]

To put some context around the changes that have been made, may I present to you recommendation 75 from the Henry Tax review:


Part 1: Overview - Chapter 12: List of recommendations - Australia's Future Tax System: Final Report

The WHO framework convention on Tobacco control, of which Australia is a signatory, also suggests that duty/tax free sales of cigarretes be restricted.

I don't think Australia is operating in isolation here. Singapore and Hong Kong have pretty tight restrictions.

Great, thank you. Very informative post.

 

[mannej]

HKG's limit is 19g/sticks.

Te only difference between AU and HKG is the level of enforcement.

 

[horseman]

So if the tobacco is rolled already, then that is a "stick" allowance, whereas if it is loose that is the "weight" allowance? Or, is it, as horseman is implying, the 50 grams applies irrespective of how the tobacco is prepared (stick or loose)?

What stops someone from rolling their own tobacco into very fat cylinders that would normally easily exceed 50 grams, yet they could pass it off as a stick? I assume there is a definition.

No if tobacco is in any shape or form other than a cigarette it will go by weight

 

[JohnK]

So if the tobacco is rolled already, then that is a "stick" allowance, whereas if it is loose that is the "weight" allowance? Or, is it, as horseman is implying, the 50 grams applies irrespective of how the tobacco is prepared (stick or loose)?

- 50 cigarettes weigh ~50 gms
- One pouch of loose tobacco weighs ~50gms
- 1 big cigar usually weighs ~50gms although can have several smaller cigars also weigh ~50gms

What stops someone from rolling their own tobacco into very fat cylinders that would normally easily exceed 50 grams, yet they could pass it off as a stick? I assume there is a definition.

It would have to be one huge rollie, probably using newspaper.

 

[Alanslegal]

That is over politicization, depersonalize your comments and stick to policy. You are a Great soothsayer in predicting the next government.

Please reread my post and then re-reread it one more time. I was attacking the subject, and I read as I never made it personal. If it is, please do report my post.

And I make great emphasis because previous posters were laying the blame solely on the Labor government (without fact or evidence - rather than a passionate dislike for that party). And further more, it has been clarified by oz_mark that Australia has international obligations for taking the action that it has.

And again, I stand by my view that the Liberal government in 2013 (why I stand by this view? Everything I read in the media and all the polls published to this date clearly indicates this will happen). Abbott will not remove the two packet maximum duty free concession. So blaming Labor for this, is irrelevant, because the Coalition will not reverse it. I have not read anything to date which indicates opposition to these changes.

 

[anat0l]

HKG's limit is 19g/sticks.

Te only difference between AU and HKG is the level of enforcement.

As in one actually does enforce limits and the other doesn't really give a ****?

I actually don't know which is which...... In any case, whatever the answer is, I'd be surprised for at least one of them.

It would have to be one huge rollie, probably using newspaper.

Well I suppose you could somehow secure a bunch of roll papers and combine them. Glue? Could be dangerous, though people do sniff glue, I'm sure some have thought about smoking it before. (Kidding, people...)

 

[QF1]

If they had an allowance of zero, it would mean that the half smoked pack you'd purchased would attract duty and as such you'd need to pay duty on importing 10 ciggies.

Or if you did not want to pay the taxes..you might just have to smoke them all somewhere in the airport!!!!!!!!

 

[anat0l]

Or if you did not want to pay the taxes..you might just have to smoke them all somewhere in the airport!!!!!!!!

Voila?

 

[haydensydney]

Me and my +1 aren't impressed with this, not because of cigarettes but because of the cigars. We love to come home with a heap of cigars to put into the humidor. Now I can bring what - one big cigar into the country duty free? :evil:

I don't think customs could have enough staff to enforce this one correctly. In fact, in prior trips to HK we have taken in a carton of cigarettes each (when we did smoke cigarettes) and I was none the wiser about the low tobacco DF allowance, nor were we ever challenged by officials on this.

Has anyone actually had to pay tax on tobacco products previously when arriving into Australia? I'm intrigued to know if it would still be economical to buy cigars overseas and just declare/pay taxes OR if it would be cheaper to just buy locally.

 

[serfty]

- 50 cigarettes weigh ~50 gms
...

Nup, no more than 40 grams ...

When is a stick not a stick? When it has more than 8gm of tobacco.

"In stick form not exceeding in weight 0.8 grams per stick actual tobacco content"

See the link I posted upthread.



Posted on a wing and a prayer ...

 

[anat0l]

In fact, in prior trips to HK we have taken in a carton of cigarettes each (when we did smoke cigarettes) and I was none the wiser about the low tobacco DF allowance, nor were we ever challenged by officials on this.

Customs in Asia is pretty lacklustre*. It's like a prison that has automatic glass doors rather than barbed wire fences.

Last time I was stopped at customs in Asia was Japan. Wasn't a big deal and they were very kind during the entire process (then again, these were the Japanese).


Hmmmm...come to think of it now I've probably answered my question that I put in reply to mannej...



* Perhaps the only thing strongly checked for at customs / screening points in Asia is drugs, particularly in jurisdictions where the penalty is death

 

[Sprucegoose]

Please reread my post and then re-reread it one more time. I was attacking the subject, and I read as I never made it personal. If it is, please do report my post.

And I make great emphasis because previous posters were laying the blame solely on the Labor government (without fact or evidence - rather than a passionate dislike for that party). And further more, it has been clarified by oz_mark that Australia has international obligations for taking the action that it has.

And again, I stand by my view that the Liberal government in 2013 (why I stand by this view? Everything I read in the media and all the polls published to this date clearly indicates this will happen). Abbott will not remove the two packet maximum duty free concession. So blaming Labor for this, is irrelevant, because the Coalition will not reverse it. I have not read anything to date which indicates opposition to these changes.

You are predicting Liberal Policy, indeed there return!

What is your support for your assertions here? I dont believe there is a published liberal position one way or another and yet your assessment on opposition policy appears to be very clear.

Your assertions that the liberals will not reverse this is not based on any foundation whatsoever.

If I am wrong, please present the evidence.

 

[JohnK]

Well I suppose you could somehow secure a bunch of roll papers and combine them. Glue? Could be dangerous, though people do sniff glue, I'm sure some have thought about smoking it before. (Kidding, people...)

Newspaper should be sufficient. Where my dad grew up they were so poor and tobacco was produced but they sold it as it used to fetch a good price.

Now corn on the other hand is a different matter. When peeling the corn cobs to leave the corn itself keep the hairs at the end of the corn cob. Dry these out for a few days and then roll up in old newspaper for a cheap "cigarette". :shock: Who says they had no imagination?

I don't think customs could have enough staff to enforce this one correctly.

Almost impossible.

Not easy to do with cigarettes but should be doable with cigars. Buy your allowed allowance of duty free cigars on departing Australia and also your allowed allowance of duty free cigars on arrival.

Put a cigar in one of your socks in your dirty laundry bag or in one of your pockets inside the luggage and put another cigar in your inside jacket pocket. Purchase your duty free allowance of cigars on return and keep the bag in your carry on luggage or in your hand. No one is going to notice the cigar in your pocket, in your socks in the dirty laundry or the duty free bag in your hand/hand luggage. I know they go through things with a fine tooth comb but they do not really care about you having 1-2 extra cigars on your person. And what is the worst that could happen?

Pay duty on the cigars? Sorry officer but I have forgot I left that cigar there.

I have also brought back 2 cartons of cigarettes and declared and was allowed through after explaining my reason. My father is a chain smoking pensioner and I am just trying to help him out save some money.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Newspaper should be sufficient. Where my dad grew up they were so poor and tobacco was produced but they sold it as it used to fetch a good price.

Now corn on the other hand is a different matter. When peeling the corn cobs to leave the corn itself keep the hairs at the end of the corn cob. Dry these out for a few days and then roll up in old newspaper for a cheap "cigarette". :shock: Who says they had no imagination?


Almost impossible.

Not easy to do with cigarettes but should be doable with cigars. Buy your allowed allowance of duty free cigars on departing Australia and also your allowed allowance of duty free cigars on arrival.

Put a cigar in one of your socks in your dirty laundry bag or in one of your pockets inside the luggage and put another cigar in your inside jacket pocket. Purchase your duty free allowance of cigars on return and keep the bag in your carry on luggage or in your hand. No one is going to notice the cigar in your pocket, in your socks in the dirty laundry or the duty free bag in your hand/hand luggage. I know they go through things with a fine tooth comb but they do not really care about you having 1-2 extra cigars on your person. And what is the worst that could happen?

Pay duty on the cigars? Sorry officer but I have forgot I left that cigar there.

I have also brought back 2 cartons of cigarettes and declared and was allowed through after explaining my reason. My father is a chain smoking pensioner and I am just trying to help him out save some money.

they would show up on the xray for those who go through it. if for some reason they found a cigar in your pocket that would be considered a concealment and there would be a fine of $220. no warning as it would be considered deliberate.

they may be a lot of things, but they're not stupid when it comes to finding contraband. that is their job description, end of story.

 

[Flashback]

Put a cigar in one of your socks in your dirty laundry bag or in one of your pockets inside the luggage and put another cigar in your inside jacket pocket. Purchase your duty free allowance of cigars on return and keep the bag in your carry on luggage or in your hand. No one is going to notice the cigar in your pocket, in your socks in the dirty laundry or the duty free bag in your hand/hand luggage. I know they go through things with a fine tooth comb but they do not really care about you having 1-2 extra cigars on your person. And what is the worst that could happen?

Pay duty on the cigars? Sorry officer but I have forgot I left that cigar there.

Not really sure this is the best advice. I saw an episode of Border Patrol recently that showed someone who had done similar, and when the scan picked up the items he had a very stern talking to by customs for trying to defraud (even though the item he was bringing in was allowed, however his next stop in Australia, it wasn't hence he was already prepared for the next leg)....