Going abroad to buy alcohol is known as 'booze cruising'

A row between the British government and the European Commission over the import to the UK of alcohol and tobacco remains unresolved. Their disagreement centres on what is the appropriate punishment for those people who bring in drink or cigarettes with the intention of selling it on at cost price. This report from Tim Franks:

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If you're caught, customs officers will seize the goods and present you with a choice: either pay the duty owed as a fine or forfeit your car.

Last year, according to government figures, out of fourteen million Channel crossings, that happened to just twenty-eight people. Still, the European Commission has said that the punishment is disproportionate. The government now has until the start of next week to explain itself.

Both sides called today's meeting "good and constructive", but the Commission has warned that if it's not satisfied soon, it will take court action as quickly as possible against the British government.

Tim Franks, BBC, Brussels

Listen to the words

consumption
use

gift
present

cost price
the price that someone pays for something that they are going to sell

offence
crime

seize
take hold of something suddenly

duty
a tax you pay on something you buy

forfeit
lose something valuable by having it taken away from you

according to
as shown by something or said by someone

disproportionate
too much or too little in relation to something else

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