Brexit poses risk to the ‘booze cruise’

Britain leaving the European Union could spell the end of cross-channel journeys for cheap alcohol, travel experts have claimed.

The ‘booze cruise’ is a colloquial term for Brits taking a ferry to France to make large purchases of alcohol (Photo: Wiki)

The tradition of Brits making their way to France to stock up on drinks – where lower taxes lead to cheaper retail prices for alcohol – has rekindled in recent years as the euro has weakened.

The price of a bottle of wine in France is at least £3 cheaper at British retailer Majestic’s stores in France thanks to the favourable taxes and currency valuations.

But this is now under threat from the prospect of Britain quitting the EU, as generous customs rules that allow over 100 litres of beer and 90 litres of wine to be taken across the English Channel will likely be clamped down upon.

It is thought that only 16 litres of beer, four litres of wine and one litre of spirits will be permitted per traveller if Britain votes to leave the EU in the June 23 referendum.

Victoria Bacon of the Association of British Travel Agents, which is opting for the UK to remain in the EU, told The Mirror: “At the moment you can cross to continental Europe and buy as much booze as you want to bring home.

“In the event that we leave the EU, this will have to be renegotiated.

“The negotiation process will take at least two years and this continuing uncertainty is bound to affect the value of the pound.

“The overall assessment, from a travel perspective, is that the potential downside of leaving the EU cannot be matched by the potential upside.”