Nothing to declare: Customs leave US shoppers off scot-free

Evelyn Ring

Such was the strength of the euro against the US dollar that some Irish people brought trolley-loads of goods back with them, well exceeding their limit of E175.

Revenue had warned shoppers in the lead-up to Christmas not to exceed the limit but this turned out to be an empty threat.

Information received by Nuacht TG4 under the Freedom of Information Act shows that no goods were seized by customs from the tens of thousands of Irish people who flew to US cities between November 1 and December 31 last.

A total of 255,000 passengers flew into Ireland from America over the two months 162,000 to Dublin Airport and 93,000 to Shannon Airport.

Irish people flew in such numbers to New York, Boston, Chicago and other US cities to do their Christmas shopping, that a guidebook detailing the best places in New York for Irish people to get bargains became a bestseller over the period.

During the two-month period, a total of E1,162 in duty and VAT was received in declarations made by arriving travellers in both airports.

Explaining why no goods were seized, a Revenue spokesperson said all flights were profiled on a risk basis. He pointed out that the risk of any particular flight or route was tested, assessed and prioritised. He said their focus was on ensuring compliance with tax and customs legislation with particular emphasis on the detection of the smuggling of fiscal goods, illicit drugs, tobacco, firearms and counterfeit.

"While considering the potential risks of the type of traffic referred to in the request mostly short shopping breaks in the US the risk is tested and assessed," he said.