Originally Posted by
hambleoldboy
The maximum volume one can import, even if foreign duty paid is 5 litres. I was fined 50 euros and also charged the French fuel duty on the amount exceeding the 5 litre allowance.
Was this flying in from the UK/Ireland? If so, I'm afraid you've been had on two counts: 1) They acted contrary to the stipulations of art. 24 of the Chicago Convention 1944[*], and 2) the whole point of the sodding EU is that it's a single market, therefore no customs--even if as non-Schengen signatories, travelling to/from the UK one must clear immigration (not customs!). Any form of tax on an article brought in from another EU country is illegal and you should refuse to pay it. If you were flying in ex-EU point 2 does not necessarily apply, but point 1 still does unless you came from a non-ICAO country.
I note that the French are rather notorious for ignoring the law in this aspect. In 2010 they've been copping daily fines for this, particularly regarding their illegal "border controls" at the Spanish border.
[*] Learned that for my JAR ATPL Air Law exam, least it be said they're full of useless knowledge.
