WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2310/97 by Hugh McMAHON to the Commission. Duty free goods allowance on goods purchased outside of the EU
Date: 1997-06-26
Institutions: European Parliament, MCMAHON
Subjects: EU national, alcoholic beverage, cosmetic product, customs regulations, exemption from customs duties, import, personal effects, third country, tobacco

C 60/124

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

25. 2. 98

Sweden

At  the  Swedish  poison  information  centre  petroleum  distillates  are  ranked  as  third  in  the  league  of  chemical
agents most commonly causing incidents to children under ten. Some 500 inquiries per year are registered of
children drinking petroleum distillates of the type used in oil-lamps. A majority of the cases involve barbecue
starters. Lamp oils are involved in around 150 cases every year.

(98/C 60/207)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-2310/97

by Hugh McMahon (PSE) to the Commission

(26 June 1997)

Subject: Duty free goods allowance on goods purchased outside of the EU

Can the Commission confirm what is the monetary value of the duty-free goods allowance for EU residents who
have  purchased  goods  from  non-EU  countries  (e.g.  the  United  States)?  Does  this  exclude  the  allowance  for
tobacco, alcohol and perfume?

Answer given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission

(24 July 1997)

Goods carried in the personal luggage of travellers entering the Community from non-member countries may,
within certain limits, be brought in free of import duties, VAT and excise duties provided that such importations
are of a strictly non-commercial nature.

In the case of products other than tobacco, alcohol and perfume, which are subject to quantitative limits, the total
value of goods imported tax-free may not exceed ECU 175 per traveller. Where the total value of several items
exceeds that limit, the allowance is granted, up to the limit, in respect of those items which would have qualified
for the allowance if imported separately. The value of an individual item cannot be split up; neither can any
artificial distinction be drawn (between the jacket and trousers belonging to a suit, for example).

(98/C 60/208)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-2312/97

by Jorge Hernandez Mollar (PPE) to the Commission

(3 July 1997)

Subject: Inclusion of Ceuta and Melilla in the euro design

Does the Commission intend to propose changing the design of the euro notes to ensure that the map includes not
only the Canary Islands but also the autonomous cities of Ceuta and Melilla, which, as the Commission is aware,
are Community territories marking the land borders of the Union in north Africa?

Answer given by Mr de Silguy on behalf of the Commission

(1 August 1997)

The  proposed  designs  of  the  common  face  of  the  future  euro  coins,  which  were  announced  recently  by  the
Council, are not definitive blueprints, but rather artistic impressions of the coins. The working group of mint
directors has studied the technical aspects of the designs and concluded that the winning series is technically
feasible. However, it will need certain slight modifications in order to be produced in line with the technical
specifications for the coins which are being proposed. In addition, the map of Europe will be adjusted to ensure
that all Member States are happy with the image of Europe on the coins.