Travellers' allowances

13.11.2008

WRITTEN QUESTION E-6311/08
by James Nicholson (PPE‑DE)
to the Council

Members of the European Parliament have pressured the Commission and the European Council on many occasions to find a solution to the current confusion for air travellers arriving in the EU as a consequence of restrictions under airport security rules on carrying liquids, gels, etc. purchased in duty-free shops.

The French Government decided to impose a limit of 40 cigarettes on air travellers entering France from third countries when adopting Council Directive 2007/74/EC[1]. Travellers arriving in the EU today are allowed to keep their duty-free liquids if their first airport of arrival is their final destination, but will have to forfeit their liquids if transferring. Conversely, if a traveller arrives at a French airport as their final destination, they will only be allowed to bring in two packs of duty-free cigarettes but will be allowed to carry any quantity with them if they are transferring to another destination outside of France.

Can the Presidency therefore explain the reasoning for the French Government not adopting, like the other EU Member States, the standard allowance of 200 cigarettes for air travellers provided for in the directive?

• [1] OJ L 346, 29.12.2007, p. 6.

OJ C 316, 23/12/2009