EU acts to protect Channel shopping

The European Commission is threatening to take the UK to court for harassing cross-Channel travellers who bring in alcohol and cigarettes.

The Commission said the UK's tough controls could breach consumers' rights to buy goods anywhere in the EU.

Brussels also said it would propose new legislation within weeks to close the gap between the high duty demanded in the UK and the lower rates charged on the continent.

Complaining of aggressive tactics by customs officers, the European Commission has sent the British Government a formal warning letter, the first stage of legal procedures that could lead to action in the European Court of Justice.

Brussels says it can cite cases of vehicles being confiscated from people accused of bringing in too many cigarettes or too much alcohol.

Britain has rejected the complaint, saying that those who are targeted have been importing huge quantities of cigarettes and may be linked to criminal networks.

Under internal market laws, British consumers can shop on the continent freely as long as goods are purchased for private consumption.