Calais wants a ‘duty-free zone’ after Brexit to entice Britons back into booze cruises Northern France has long benefited from British tastes for cheap drink

Authorities in Calais believe Brexit will revive Britain’s once famous “booze cruises” that saw hordes of Britons cross the Channel to stock up on cheap wine, beer, and cigarettes.

The local mayor, Natacha Bouchart, has been lobbying the French government to create a duty-free zone for British shoppers that would cover the entire port town if a future trade deal between the UK and the EU sees trade tariffs return.

In the 1980s and 1990s, thanks to low-cost ferry crossings and more affordable French pricing, “booze cruises” became a regular event for thousands as they travelled to Northern France.

The i politics newsletter cut through the noise Email address is invalid Email address is invalid Thank you for subscribing! Sorry, there was a problem with your subscription.

Ms Bouchart anticipates Britain’s exit from the EU single market could prove beneficial so long as duty-free rules are ensured.

Future of Calais

“Our mayor is fighting for the whole town of Calais to benefit from the same duty-free rules as the ferries,” said Philippe Mignonet, one of Bouchart’s deputies.

The fortunes of Calais rely on the smooth flow of people and goods across the English Channel and the mayor’s initiative reflects the growing doubts in the town over whether a future trade deal will maintain the single market’s zero-tariff, friction-free movement of goods across the Britain-EU border.

Calais authorities were also exploring the option of tax rebates that would allow visiting Britons to reclaim VAT on hotel stays and restaurant meals, Mr Mignonet said, a move aimed at encouraging them to spend more time and money in the town.

Unlimited amounts

EU rules allow private individuals to carry unlimited amounts of alcohol and cigarettes across the bloc’s internal borders provided they are not for resale.

But after Britain ended its 47-year membership of the EU on Friday, it now has until 31 December 2020, to negotiate a trade accord that will determine what tariffs, if any, Britain and the EU levy on each other’s goods, and caps to duty-free commerce.

Mr Mignonet said junior budget minister Gerald Darmanin had so far pushed back against the proposed city-wide duty exemptions for alcohol and tobacco in the town centre because of smuggling concerns.

“I don’t think they’ll budge on those,” he said, but added it could be applied to goods such as chocolate, perfumes and electronic goods.

Mr Darmanin’s office was not immediately available for comment.

The looming trade talks between London and Brussels will be closely watched by the owners of the cavernous wine stores dotted along the highway leading out of Calais, where signs are in English and prices quoted in sterling.

“The worst case scenario? That would be to limit the huge volumes that British clients can take back with them to England,” said Oliver Versmisse, owner of the Oliver, Vin et Compagnie store that overlooks the Eurotunnel terminal.

Several million Britons used to make day trips across the Channel every year during the heyday of the booze cruise, local officials say, before duty-free shopping ended in 1999 following the creation of the EU’s single market.

Its renaissance on board vessels and in the ferry terminal would be “very good for the port”, said Calais port director Jean-Marc Puissesseau, who is overseeing a 700 million euro expansion that will double the port’s capacity from early 2021.

Additional reporting by Reuters