Editorial note (22 October 2026): UK allowance rules have been updated. Product prices, exchange rates, stock and attributed quotations below should be confirmed with the stores before publication; historical examples are labelled as such.
By Jérôme Pont (Calais Vins) and Olivier Vermisse (Olivier Vins)
TL;DR
You can bring back 18 litres of still and sparkling wine combined (24 standard bottles) per eligible traveller, within the UK personal allowance, when travelling from France to United Kingdom. Champagne and other sparkling wines count towards the same 18-litre wine allowance. Buy at Calais Vins or Olivier Vins — not at the airport — for the widest selection and the best prices. Below are the 24 bottles we'd fill that allowance with right now.
What's the alcohol allowance from France to UK?
The rules are set by HMRC and apply to anyone arriving in Great Britain (England, Scotland, Wales) from France or any other country outside the UK.
Here's the full customs allowance UK travellers get on alcohol:
| Type of alcohol | Allowance |
|---|---|
| Still and sparkling wine, including Champagne | 18 litres combined (24 × 75cl bottles) |
| Beer and cider combined | 42 litres |
| Spirits (>22% ABV) | 4 litres |
| Fortified wine and other alcoholic drinks up to 22% ABV | 9 litres, or split proportionally with the 4-litre spirits allowance |
A couple of things to flag: Champagne, Crémant and other sparkling wines count towards your 18-litre combined wine allowance, not a separate 9-litre pot. The 9-litre allowance applies to fortified wine and other alcoholic drinks up to 22% ABV; it may be split proportionally with the 4-litre allowance for spirits over 22% ABV. Beer and cider share a separate 42-litre allowance.
That's a generous duty free allowance from France to UK. Used well, it's a serious boot-load of excellent wine.
Personal use vs commercial: the rule that changes everything
The allowances above apply to goods for personal use or as a gift. Goods intended for resale fall outside the personal-use allowances and are subject to different rules.
HMRC can ask questions if your quantity looks commercial. Customs officers may assess the purpose and quantity of your purchases. Bring a receipt: it's the simplest way to show you paid retail prices.
Does the allowance apply per person?
Yes — and you cannot combine your allowance with anyone else's. Each traveller aged 17 or over gets their own personal alcohol allowance.
So a couple travelling together can bring back 48 standard bottles of still or sparkling wine in total between them. A family of four adults? That's 96 standard bottles across four separate 18-litre wine allowances. The maths gets very interesting very quickly.
Why buy your wine at Calais Vins or Olivier Vins rather than at the airport?
Airport duty-free shops are convenient. They're not cheap, and the selection is thin.
Calais is different. Calais Vins (managed by Jérôme Pont) and Olivier Vins (managed by Olivier Vermisse) are two superstores a few minutes from the ferry and Eurotunnel terminals. Here's why we think it's worth the detour:
- TAX FREE prices: eligible non-EU visitors may reclaim approximately 15% on qualifying purchases over €100 after customs validation; refund timing and conditions vary (see below)
- Tax-free shopping support for eligible UK visitors; the approximately 15% VAT-refund saving is not an additional discount stacked on top of itself
- Two superstores in Calais, stocked with hundreds of references you simply won't find airside
- Expert advice in-store: our teams know these wines personally and speak English
- Far wider selection: from everyday Bordeaux to Premier Cru Champagne, all under one roof
The duty free allowance EU to UK is exactly the same whether you buy at the airport or in a Calais superstore. The difference is what you get for your money — and our bottle-by-bottle price match shows savings of up to 60% versus UK retail.
How the VAT refund process works
French tax-free shopping is available only to eligible non-EU residents on qualifying purchases totalling more than €100 under the applicable conditions. This refund is separate from UK customs allowances, and validation at French customs is required.
It's simpler than it sounds. Here's the step-by-step:
- Shop as normal: you pay the full price including French VAT at the till in either store.
- Collect your tax-free form: the shop issues you a tax-free form with a barcode — keep it with your purchases.
- Validate your export: before leaving the EU, follow the tax-free provider’s instructions and validate the form at the appropriate French customs/PABLO facility; customs inspection may be required.
- Receive your refund: once customs validation is accepted, the provider processes the refund according to its own conditions and payment timetable.
Check whether each displayed shop price includes VAT. Any estimated post-refund price in this article is illustrative and depends on eligibility, successful validation and provider terms.
Is wine cheaper in Calais than in the UK?
Significantly, yes — and the numbers are worth spelling out.
Take a recognisable Champagne such as Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label Brut. A previous comparison in this guide used a UK retail price of £51 and a Calais price of €46.90. Those figures are historical examples, not verified October 2026 offers. At an illustrative 15% refund, €46.90 would become approximately €39.87, subject to eligibility and validation. Check the current shelf price, UK comparator and exchange rate before calculating a saving.
Champagne can be included in your combined 18-litre wine allowance. Compare current UK and French prices, refund eligibility, exchange rates and travel costs before estimating total savings. We've broken down the full Champagne price comparison between the UK and France if you want to see the numbers in detail.
For still wines, savings depend on the exact bottle, the retailers compared and the current exchange rate — and there are structural reasons why wine is so expensive in the UK that go well beyond VAT alone. An eligible VAT refund may reduce the effective cost further; it should not be counted twice.
"The Veuve Clicquot example is one I give British customers every week. They do the maths at the checkout and they can't believe it. More often than not, the savings on Champagne alone are enough to pay for the Eurotunnel return." — Olivier Vermisse, Olivier Vins, Frethun
Our 24 picks: wines worth considering for your allowance
We've tasted all of these. The euro prices and indicative sterling conversions below come from an earlier selection and have not been rechecked for October 2026. Sterling figures assumed a historical exchange rate of £1 = €1.15 (historical illustration) and a 15% refund; availability, prices and eligibility can change. These are 24 recommendations to choose from, not a single load that fits within one traveller’s 18-litre wine allowance, especially as the list includes a 10-litre bag-in-box.
White wines (5 picks)
Petit Perrière Sauvignon Blanc — Loire | White | €5.95 | £4.40 after VAT refund
An excellent alternative to the big Loire names — Sancerre, Pouilly-Fumé — at a fraction of the price. Crisp, fresh, and unmistakably Loire. Buy six and you won't regret it.
"The Petit Perrière is the bottle I recommend first to anyone who loves Sancerre but doesn't love the Sancerre price tag. The terroir is Loire through and through — you get that signature grassy, mineral Sauvignon without paying for the appellation name." — Jérôme Pont, Calais Vins
Ardèche Chardonnay Gravettes — Ardèche | White | €5.95 | £4.40 after VAT refund
Just as good as the famous Grand Chardonnays of the Ardèche, but at a much lower price. A brilliant everyday Chardonnay that punches well above its weight.
Viognier Secret de Famille — Maison Paul Jaboulet Aîné — Rhône | White | €6.50 | £4.80 after VAT refund
Viognier is one of the trendiest grapes in France right now. This one from Jaboulet delivers the floral, peachy character of the variety at a tiny price. It's the kind of bottle that makes guests ask where you found it.
"Viognier is having a real moment. Customers who've only ever tried it in expensive northern Rhône wines are genuinely surprised when they taste this Jaboulet at under £5. It has all the aromatic generosity of the grape — apricot, white flowers, a little spice — without any of the heaviness you sometimes get at higher alcohol levels." — Olivier Vermisse, Olivier Vins, Calais
Chablis Ammonis 2023 — Sylvain Rozier — Burgundy | White | €13.95 | £10.31 after VAT refund
Sylvain Rozier has selected a superb Chablis with beautiful minerality and citrus notes. A genuine Chablis experience for around £10. If you're using your wine allowance from France to UK, this is exactly the kind of bottle that justifies the trip.
"Sylvain Rozier is a name I trust completely. This Ammonis 2023 has everything you expect from a good Chablis — the flint, the green apple, the tension on the finish — but at a price that frankly embarrasses what you'd pay for the same quality in the UK. It's the bottle I always have at home." — Jérôme Pont, Calais Vins
Touraine Chenonceaux Sauvignon — Domaine Denis Bardon — Loire | White | €9.95 | £7.35 after VAT refund
A rather rare Sauvignon grown in the shadow of the famous Château de Chenonceaux, one of the most beautiful châteaux of the Loire Valley. You won't find this one on a UK supermarket shelf.
Red wines (11 picks)
Malbec Original — Maison Rigal — South West | Red | €6.30 | £4.66 after VAT refund
Cahors is the spiritual home of Malbec in France — and Rigal are the specialists. Rich, dark fruit at a price that makes no sense. Stock up.
"People often think of Argentina when they hear Malbec, but the grape was born in Cahors. Rigal have been making it there for generations. This Original has that characteristic dark plum and violet character, with just enough structure to stand up to a good steak. At under £5, I genuinely don't know how they do it." — Jérôme Pont, Calais Vins
Syrahvissante — Domaine Louis Chèze — Rhône | Red | €9.50 | £7.02 after VAT refund
A fruity, easy-drinking Syrah from the celebrated Domaine Louis Chèze. High-flying winemaking at an everyday price. One of our favourite discoveries from the Rhône this year.
Le Canon du Maréchal — Domaine Cazes — Roussillon | Red | €7.60 | £5.62 after VAT refund
A recent discovery: Domaine Cazes' Grenache-Syrah blend is full of fruit and generosity. Organic, too. The 2024 vintage is particularly good.
"Cazes is one of the most respected organic producers in the Roussillon, and this Canon du Maréchal is a proper discovery. The 2024 has an energy to it — ripe but not heavy, the fruit is fresh and the finish is clean. It's the kind of wine I open for friends who say they don't drink organic wine, and they're always converted." — Olivier Vermisse, Olivier Vins, Calais
Notaris 2018 — Clos du Notaire — Côtes de Bourg | Red | €16.95 | £12.53 after VAT refund
This Côtes de Bourg has beaten many Grand Crus de Bordeaux in blind tastings. Ready to drink, complex, and exceptional value. It's the kind of bottle that converts Bordeaux sceptics.
"The Notaris 2018 is the bottle I pull out when someone says Bordeaux isn't worth it anymore. It has beaten classified growths in blind tastings — real ones, with experienced palates — and it costs a fraction of the price. The 2018 vintage was exceptional across the right bank and this is drinking at its peak right now." — Jérôme Pont, Calais Vins
BDX Le Jus — Stéphane Derenoncourt — Bordeaux | Red | €9.95 | £7.35 after VAT refund
Stéphane Derenoncourt — the winemaker behind the renaissance of Pavie Macquin — wanted a densely fruity Bordeaux without heavy tannins. This is it. The 2023 vintage is drinking beautifully right now.
Château La Rose Bois Montet — Côtes de Bordeaux | Red | €4.95 | £3.66 after VAT refund
A Bordeaux rouge at a tiny price — and genuinely good. Stop the Bordeaux bashing: this is proof the region delivers at every level. At £3.66, it's the easiest decision on this list.
"Stop the Bordeaux bashing. I hear it every week from British customers — 'Bordeaux isn't what it was', 'too expensive', 'not worth it'. And then I open a La Rose Bois Montet and they go quiet. It's honest, well-made claret at a price that makes no argument possible." — Olivier Vermisse, Olivier Vins, Calais
La Providence Margaux 2023 — Margaux | Red | €19.95 | £14.75 after VAT refund
A very good Margaux for under £15. Who knew? You'll find it at our stores — and nowhere else at this price. This is what buying alcohol from France is all about.
"A genuine Margaux for under £15 — I defy anyone to find that in the UK. The 2023 vintage in Margaux was exceptional for quality at every level of the appellation, and La Providence is a perfect example. It has that silky, violet-scented character the appellation is famous for. Honestly, it's the bottle I'm most proud to have on our shelves right now." — Jérôme Pont, Calais Vins
Parallèle 45 Rouge — Maison Jaboulet — Côtes du Rhône | Red | €7.95 | £5.88 after VAT refund
Jaboulet's iconic Côtes du Rhône, consistently excellent across every vintage. A benchmark bottle you can always rely on. We've never had a bad one.
Fleurie Cœur de Granit — Château de Chenas — Beaujolais | Red | €8.95 | £6.62 after VAT refund
The Beaujolais cru that British wine lovers favour most — and at this price, without any compromise on quality. Silky, fresh, and endlessly drinkable. A fine entry point to our broader range of Beaujolais wines.
"Fleurie has always been the Beaujolais cru that resonates most with British customers — there's something about its perfume and silkiness that fits the English palate perfectly. The Cœur de Granit is grown on granite soils that give it that extra lift and minerality. It's a wine I've been selling to the same families for fifteen years." — Jérôme Pont, Calais Vins
Côte Chalonnaise Rouge — Cave de Buxy — Burgundy | Red | €9.50 | £7.02 after VAT refund
Cave de Buxy is well established in the UK — and in both our stores. Always outstanding value for money, every single time. A Pinot Noir that over-delivers at this price.
Maison Ropiteau Pinot Noir or Chardonnay — Vin de France | Red or White | €6.95 | £5.14 after VAT refund
Ropiteau vinifies in the Burgundian style — the Pinot Noir character is unmistakably there, even if the grapes didn't grow on a Burgundy terroir. The Chardonnay is equally convincing. Superb price-to-pleasure ratio on both.
Rosé wines (2 picks)
Domaine Hauts du Clos — Côtes de Provence | Rosé | €9.95 | £7.35 after VAT refund
Aurélien Bouthuyne produces a great Côtes de Provence rosé that has nothing to envy from the big Provence names — except the price tag. Pale, elegant, and perfectly dry.
"Pale Provence rosé has become an obsession in the UK and frankly the prices have followed. What Aurélien Bouthuyne does with the Hauts du Clos is make a wine that's every bit as elegant and food-friendly as the famous names — the colour, the structure, the dry finish — but at a price that doesn't require a special occasion." — Olivier Vermisse, Olivier Vins, Frethun
Château du Carrubier — Côtes de Provence | Rosé | €7.95 | £5.88 after VAT refund
Our biggest discovery this year. A very good rosé at a tiny price — perfect for garden parties this summer. The 2025 vintage has just landed and it's already flying off the shelves.
"The Carrubier 2025 arrived and within two weeks it was our fastest-moving rosé. It has freshness, it has the right Provence character, and it's £5.88. For a garden party or a summer barbecue, I cannot think of a better answer." — Jérôme Pont, Calais Vins
Champagne & sparkling (4 picks)
Remember: Champagne, Crémant and other sparkling wines count towards the same 18-litre allowance as still wine (24 standard 75cl bottles in total). These four are the ones we would choose.
Champagne Rosé Demarjory — Rosé Champagne | €23.50 | £17.37 after VAT refund
Jean-Pierre Robert trained at the great Champagne houses before making his own. Just as good as the big brands — at a fraction of the price. The rosé is particularly stunning.
"Jean-Pierre Robert spent years learning his craft at the grandes maisons before striking out on his own. The result is a Champagne rosé that has all the structure and finesse of the big names — the brioche, the red fruit, the fine persistent bubbles — but produced with the care of a true artisan vigneron. When I compare it blind against rosé Champagnes at twice the price, it wins more often than it loses." — Olivier Vermisse, Olivier Vins, Frethun
Champagne Autréau 1er Cru — White Champagne | €24.95 | £18.44 after VAT refund
A Premier Cru Champagne for under £20. That's all that needs to be said. Elegant, precise, and a genuine step up from the supermarket own-labels.
Champagne Jacquart Mosaïque — White Champagne | €27.90 | £20.62 after VAT refund
A great Champagne house delivering a beautifully balanced blend of all three grape varieties. We love the Jacquart style: consistent, generous, and always crowd-pleasing.
"Jacquart is a house that serious Champagne drinkers have always known about but that the general public is just discovering. The Mosaïque blends Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier in perfect balance — there's freshness from the Chardonnay, body from the Pinot Noir, and roundness from the Meunier. At £20.62 after the VAT refund, it comfortably outpoints Champagnes at £35–40 in the UK." — Jérôme Pont, Calais Vins
Crémant de Bourgogne Réserve — Bailly Lapierre — Sparkling | €9.95 | £7.35 after VAT refund
If you've never tried a Crémant de Bourgogne instead of Champagne, now is the time. Bailly Lapierre's Crémants are genuinely stunning — and at £7.35, the comparison is embarrassing. This is the duty free alcohol limit put to very good use.
"Bailly Lapierre is the reference for Crémant de Bourgogne. They use the same méthode traditionnelle as Champagne, the same Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grapes — but the price is a fraction. I open this for guests without telling them what it is. Nine times out of ten they ask me which Champagne it is. That tells you everything." — Olivier Vermisse, Olivier Vins, Frethun
The value box (1 pick)
Petit Pont Bag-in-Box 10L — Pays d'Oc — White, Red or Rosé | €28.50 | £21.07 after VAT refund
Available in three colours. When you do the maths, that's the equivalent of £1.58 per bottle. A bestseller with us for 25 years — and there's a reason for that. One 10L box uses 10 litres of the combined 18-litre still-and-sparkling-wine allowance, leaving 8 litres for other wine. It is equivalent to 13⅓ standard 75cl bottles by volume.
The Italian wild card (1 pick)
Gran Passione — Veneto, Italy — Red | €8.95 | £6.62 after VAT refund
You can't ignore the fact that Italy produces some extraordinary wines. This Veneto red is one you absolutely must try: rich, smooth, and deeply satisfying. The duty free allowance from France to UK applies to all wines, regardless of origin, so there's no reason to leave this one behind.
"We stock wines from across Europe precisely because the UK customs allowance covers all of them, not just French bottles. The Gran Passione is a Veneto red made from partially dried grapes in the Amarone tradition — but at an accessible price. Rich, velvety, with dark cherry and a touch of chocolate. British customers who pick it up on a whim always come back to ask for more." — Jérôme Pont, Calais Vins
Spirits allowance from France to the UK: what fits in your 4 litres
Wine and Champagne aren't the only reason to fill the boot. The spirits allowance from France to UK sits at 4 litres per person, tax free, and with over 2,200 spirits references between Calais Vins and Olivier Vins, that's roughly five to six standard 70cl bottles worth choosing carefully.
Reminder: how the spirits allowance works
Spirits and other alcoholic drinks over 22% ABV are capped at 4 litres per eligible traveller, or may be split proportionally with the 9-litre allowance for fortified wine and other alcoholic drinks up to 22% ABV. This allowance is separate from the combined 18-litre still-and-sparkling-wine allowance, but may be split proportionally with the 9-litre allowance for fortified wine and other alcoholic drinks up to 22% ABV — so a full boot can combine all three without any overlap. As with wine, the allowance cannot be combined between travellers, and it applies for personal use or as a gift only.
| Category | Allowance | Approx. 70cl bottles |
| Spirits over 22% ABV | 4 litres | ~5–6 bottles |
Our picks for the spirits allowance
Cognac and Armagnac
Hine Cognac VSOP — Cognac | A house cognac trusted by connoisseurs for its elegance, at a price well below UK specialist retailers.
Tariquet Armagnac VS — Gascony | One of the most recognised Armagnac names in France, offering a fruit-forward alternative to Cognac at a lower price point.
Whisky
Rozelieures French Whisky — Lorraine | A French single malt distilled just a few hours from Calais, rarely stocked in the UK.
Chivas Regal Blended Whisky — Scotland | A familiar name at a price that reflects the absence of UK excise duty.
Gin
Distilled Gin selections — a wide range of London Dry and distilled gins, including small-batch French producers not distributed in the UK.
Rum
Don Papa Rum — Philippines | A cult favourite among UK shoppers, consistently priced lower here than in British retailers.
Building a mixed case: wine, Champagne and spirits together
For an eligible traveller, a single trip can combine up to 18 litres of still and sparkling wine, 42 litres of beer and cider, and either 4 litres of spirits over 22% ABV or 9 litres of fortified wine and other alcoholic drinks up to 22% ABV (or a proportional split of those last two allowances). Our sommeliers can help put together a mixed selection that uses every allowance, not just the wine one.
How to make the most of your Calais trip
A few practical points that make the difference between a good trip and a great one.
Order online before you travel. You can browse and pre-order eligible products online, then collect in-store according to the current collection terms. No queuing, no stress.
Both superstores are easy to reach. Whether you're coming off the ferry or through the Eurotunnel, Calais Vins and Olivier Vins are minutes away. No complicated navigation.
Bring your car. Twenty-four standard bottles can be heavy: check your vehicle’s safe load capacity and pack securely. A box or two of mixed cases makes the most of the space — and your alcohol allowance duty free.
The teams speak English. If you're not sure which bottle to choose, ask. Jérôme at Calais Vins and Olivier at Olivier Vins know these wines personally and are happy to advise. That's something no airport duty-free can offer.
Still not convinced the trip is worth it? The Sun newspaper sent a journalist to find out — here's what they wrote.
FAQ
Can I bring 24 bottles of still or sparkling wine back from France?
Yes — 18 litres of still and sparkling wine combined per eligible traveller aged 17 or over, which works out to exactly 24 standard 75cl bottles. This is the official customs allowance UK travellers get when arriving in Great Britain from France. Within the personal allowance, UK import duty and tax are generally not due when the goods are for personal use or gifts.
What happens if I go over the alcohol allowance?
If you exceed your allowance, you must declare the excess and pay tax and duty on the entire category — not just the bottles over the limit. For example, 25 standard 75cl bottles of still wine exceed the 18-litre combined wine allowance; the declaration and applicable charges concern the entire wine category, not only the twenty-fifth bottle. HMRC can also seize undeclared goods.
Do I need to declare wine at UK customs?
Not if you're within your personal allowance and the wine is for personal use or a gift. If you're over the limit, you must declare it — either online before you travel or at the border on arrival. Don't risk it: always check the applicable limits before travelling.
Is wine cheaper in Calais than in the UK?
Many bottles can cost less in Calais than at UK retailers, but the saving depends on the exact product, current prices, exchange rate and travel costs. Eligible non-EU visitors may qualify for an approximately 15% French VAT refund on purchases over €100, subject to customs validation and provider terms. The Veuve Clicquot prices mentioned earlier in this guide are historical examples, not current offers. Champagne counts towards the combined 18-litre wine allowance.
How does the VAT refund work at the Calais stores?
You pay the VAT-inclusive price in store. If eligible, request a tax-free form or follow the approved provider’s process. Validate the export at the appropriate French customs facility before leaving the EU; customs may ask to inspect your goods. Refund processing times vary by provider and payment method. Customs may require an inspection, so allow sufficient time at the terminal.
Can I combine my alcohol allowance with my partner's?
No — each person's allowance is individual and cannot be transferred. But both of you travelling together each get the full 18-litre combined still-and-sparkling-wine allowance. A couple can bring back 48 standard bottles of still or sparkling wine in total between them, entirely within the rules.
Useful sources
- GOV.UK: Bringing goods into the UK for personal use (Great Britain) — the official HMRC page on alcohol allowances, duty-free limits, and what happens if you exceed them.
- GOV.UK: Declaring goods at the UK border — when and how to declare goods if you go over your allowance.