EU warns over confiscated duty free cosmetics mountain
MEPs have attacked widespread confiscations at EU airports of duty free perfume and cosmetics from transit passengers over new anti-terrorist rules. Regulations imposed after the UK bomb plot mean passengers can only carry onboard liquids up to 100ml, in sealed transparent plastic bags. But the rules do not cover duty free bought outside the EU, causing problems for passengers transiting via EU airports rather than flying direct to the EU.
MEPs have attacked widespread confiscations at EU airports of duty free perfume and cosmetics from transit passengers over new anti-terrorist rules. Regulations imposed after the UK bomb plot mean passengers can only carry onboard liquids up to 100ml, in sealed transparent plastic bags. But the rules do not cover duty free bought outside the EU, causing problems for passengers transiting via EU airports rather than flying direct to the EU.
Irish MEP Avril Doyle said 20 tonnes duty free products are confiscated weekly from passengers travelling through Frankfurt airport; 1,500 litres of perfume and alcohol daily at Amsterdam's Schiphol.
Scottish MEP David Martin warned of 12% falls in EU duty-free shop sales, 40% in some third-country duty free shops. Another Irish MEP, Jim Higgins called for airports with large passenger flows into Europe to “introduce the same… retail supply chain security that exists in the EU”, allowing passengers “transferring at an EU airport to use a standard tamper-evident bag”.