Cigarettes and avoiding duty
Thread Starter
Joined: May 2026
Aviation Qualifications: SLF
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From: London
Cigarettes and avoiding duty
I wonder if anyone could help. I work for a major airline in the UK doing short haul and long haul trips. I often along with colleagues but cigarettes to resell to friends and family. I only ever carry the legal amount in my bag. Today I was told that customs and excise will be interviewing me later this week as I have avoided tax by reselling the cigarettes to friends etc.
I'm unsure if I will loose my job and honestly didn't think it was that major to sell to friends and family. I've been doing this for around 4 years.
Anyone else on here been in a similar situation or know anyone who has. Advice gratefully appreciated.
I'm unsure if I will loose my job and honestly didn't think it was that major to sell to friends and family. I've been doing this for around 4 years.
Anyone else on here been in a similar situation or know anyone who has. Advice gratefully appreciated.
Joined: Dec 2005
Aviation Qualifications: ATPL
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From: Hong Kong
If you sell them you have to pay duty so there's no 'legal amount' to carry. I doubt you'll get jail time but you'll probably lose your job. No airline wants this kind of publicity. Seek legal advice.
Joined: Sep 2004
Aviation Qualifications: ATPL(H)
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From: Canada
The big question is who ratted you out to customs and excise and what proof they have of your activities?
Were you selling them at a profit? ( don’t answer that question here ! )
Not a bright move in any case.
Were you selling them at a profit? ( don’t answer that question here ! )
Not a bright move in any case.
Thread Starter
Joined: May 2026
Aviation Qualifications: SLF
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From: London
I'm guessing a fellow colleague. I'm not sure how they (my airline etc) are going to know or not know if I've sold these for a profit. I doubt they can prove it. I will await my meeting and find out I guess.
Joined: Jan 2017
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From: Pacifique du Nord
I've been thinking about your meeting. Remember, they need proof that you have sold these cigarettes. Heresay isn't proof. I would also seek some sort of representation beforehand. Are you a union employee? Do you have a union rep? And above all, admit to nothing. They may try to be friendly with you to try and get you to slip; this happened (not to me) when I was interviewing for a US Customs job and needed security clearance. One of the gov't interviewers asked an interviewee something like, "Surely, you smoked a joint sometime, right?" The interviewee answer yes and didn't get the job. Good luck.
Joined: Mar 2018
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From: Central UK
I smell troll.
This is extremely hard to believe on several levels.
A (apparently) 37yr old pilot claiming not to know this is illegal? If that's the case what other very basic regulations is the employer going to wonder haven't been absorbed?
So naive that they blab that colleagues are doing this too? Good luck in the crew-room in future whoever you are. You've evidently upset someone already and this revelation isn't going to win any popularity stakes.
So dim they actually admit to this on a public forum and then ask advice on how to mitigate it?
And if not a troll then criminal fraud in the course of duty is a showstopper whether cabin crew or flight deck imo, how can the company have confidence and trust in anyone who either does this at all and/or is so naive/stupid they bleat about it on a public forum?
As for the disgracefully unprofessional, cowardly and dishonest advice given by some others, also purprtedly 'professional' pilots here....
This is extremely hard to believe on several levels.
A (apparently) 37yr old pilot claiming not to know this is illegal? If that's the case what other very basic regulations is the employer going to wonder haven't been absorbed?
So naive that they blab that colleagues are doing this too? Good luck in the crew-room in future whoever you are. You've evidently upset someone already and this revelation isn't going to win any popularity stakes.
So dim they actually admit to this on a public forum and then ask advice on how to mitigate it?
And if not a troll then criminal fraud in the course of duty is a showstopper whether cabin crew or flight deck imo, how can the company have confidence and trust in anyone who either does this at all and/or is so naive/stupid they bleat about it on a public forum?
As for the disgracefully unprofessional, cowardly and dishonest advice given by some others, also purprtedly 'professional' pilots here....
Last edited by meleagertoo; 10th May 2026 at 11:47.
Joined: Mar 2010
Aviation Qualifications: ATP+Mil
Posts: 343
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From: St. John's Wood
In any case, the rules regarding importing cigarettes, as well as alcohol and other goods, are easily found on the gov.uk website here:
https://www.gov.uk/bringing-goods-in...-Great-Britain
And right af the beginning of the page it states:
If you’re travelling to Great Britain (England, Wales or Scotland) from outside the UK, you can bring in a certain amount of goods without paying tax or duty. This is known as your personal allowance.
When you’re bringing in goods you must:
When you’re bringing in goods you must:
transport them yourself
use them yourself or give them away as a gift
use them yourself or give them away as a gift
Joined: Mar 2018
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From: Central UK
Joined: Jan 2007
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From: Location: Location!
Incidentally, the OP's moniker also leads to this
Jack
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 2,264
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From: Central UK
I'd have thought the "pilots only" followed by a type made it pretty obvious.
Of course it's possible it's a cc disregarding the stated protocol, but it's equally possible to be a pilot asking in a non pilot forum for obscurity.
On the face ot it the stated info indicates pilot, rightly or wrongly.
Of course it's possible it's a cc disregarding the stated protocol, but it's equally possible to be a pilot asking in a non pilot forum for obscurity.
On the face ot it the stated info indicates pilot, rightly or wrongly.
Gender Faculty Specialist
Joined: Mar 2002
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From: In your head.
Either way they're a bit of a moron and I hope they get the book thrown at them. I do not want to share my profession with people like that.
Joined: Mar 2010
Aviation Qualifications: ATP+Mil
Posts: 343
Likes: 65
From: St. John's Wood
I'd have thought the "pilots only" followed by a type made it pretty obvious.
Of course it's possible it's a cc disregarding the stated protocol, but it's equally possible to be a pilot asking in a non pilot forum for obscurity.
On the face ot it the stated info indicates pilot, rightly or wrongly.
Of course it's possible it's a cc disregarding the stated protocol, but it's equally possible to be a pilot asking in a non pilot forum for obscurity.
On the face ot it the stated info indicates pilot, rightly or wrongly.
The 'cabin crew' or 'pilot' question thus remains unconfirmed, though I still think it is more likely the former. But whichever it is, they are daft for not knowing the regulations regarding bringing goods into the UK, and even dafter for publicising it here.
Joined: Nov 2007
Aviation Qualifications: ATPL
Posts: 514
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From: UK
Its probably on the cabin crew forum, because they are the ones selling them.
If there is suspicious activity on the aircraft, ie people paying for large amounts of cigarettes by card, then the company can see this.
My old airline sent out a warning and to cease and desist.
It could be a troll post or someone who is planning to do it.
Whether guilty or not, don't say anything without taking proper legal advice.
If there is suspicious activity on the aircraft, ie people paying for large amounts of cigarettes by card, then the company can see this.
My old airline sent out a warning and to cease and desist.
It could be a troll post or someone who is planning to do it.
Whether guilty or not, don't say anything without taking proper legal advice.