Jerome Pont has been selling French wines in the coastal town of Calais for decades. I first met him at his shop at Calais-Vins in the 90’s during a Booze Cruise shopping trip when the cross-Channel shopping day trip was booming.
At that time, other outlets such as Oddbins, Sainsbury’s, Majestic and the infamous Eastenders popped up all over this coastal town. Brits would venture across the 26 miles of the Channel to fill their boots with alcohol, cheese and other French specialities for their own joyous consumption or celebration and still have saved enough money to party hard. And it was all so easy thanks to brilliant Calaisian roads and the A16/A26 motorway.
In July 1999 the EU abolished duty-free and the bonanza ended. Day trips dropped by 90 per cent and UK-owned outlets disappeared. Then came Brexit and many thought this was the final blow for the day-tripper.
Or did it? I come bearing good news: Brexit has changed the status of the UK into a ‘third country’ and this means shoppers from ‘third countries” can claim the VAT back – that’s 15 per cent tax off your bill.
So, when I visited Jerome at his shop Calais-Vins just off the A16, last month he poured me a glass of La Fage Narasso a young organic red from the Languedoc Roussillon region of France. While we sipped this silky red we reminisced over those heady boozy cruisy days and clinked wine glasses to the bargains that are still up for grabs thanks to a confluence of fortuitous circumstances that led to a a pair of lucky breaks.
Firstly wines and alcohol to be up to 13 per cent cheaper to buy in France compared to the same in the UK. Secondly, the VAT can be reclaimed. That means your savings can still be epic. Let me demonstrate by highlighting the France/UK price difference between some of my favourite drinks:
- The silky and deep red, La Fage Narasso, we were sampling costs €13,90 (£11.63) in Calais Vins and around £18.34 in good wine shops in the UK. So on this single bottle of wine I saved around £8.00.
- A sweet number from the Loire, Domaine de Terrebrune Bonnezeaux Prestige €21,80 (£18.20) in Calais Vins and £24.00 in the UK.
- My whisky tipple is Glenfiddich and I honed in on a Glenfiddich Original Whisky single malt Speyside 70cl for €89,10 (£74.54). You won’t get much change from £100 when you buy this in the UK.
Cheeses at Calais Vins, Calais, France
Where to eat and sleep in Calais
I stayed overnight in Calais at Hotel Meurice, a surprisingly lovely three-star hotel with upholstered furniture, grand rooms an even grander dining room and an impressive staircase.
Hotel Meurice
The location is superb close to the beach and the town centre and a few minutes’ drive from Au Cotes d’Argent restaurant where a gastronomic adventure of food and wine pairing awaited.
Lobster on a bed of Jerusalem artichoke mousse followed by a monk fish with lobster bisque with pasta risotto paired with a buttery crisp and fresh Meursault.
Lamb dish
Then a lamb dish with mushy peas and roasted vegetables paired with Chateau Simone. Followed by cheese with Dompierre Paullac.
Free sightseeing in Calais
Calais has a lovely beach where in the past I have enjoyed bought a baguette, filled it with French cheese, paired with a French red for a picnic on its soft sand beach.
Calais Town Hall with Rodin’s Burghers and Belfry Photo by Alexis Mette on Unsplash
It’s also worth checking out the Hotel de Ville (the town hall), and admire Rodin’s Burghers then climbing the 75-metre belfry to check out the views over the town.
How to get to Calais
How to travel with P&O for free
Jerome Pont is offering free day-trip travel with P&O when you spend €300 or a free three-day trip when you spend €700.
What are the criteria for being eligible for tax refund?
For a stress-free exit with your goodies be prepared to prove that you:
- are a non-EU resident – just show your passport
- have spent less than 6 months – just show your ticket
- can show that you have spent €100 or more in the same store – just show your receipts
- and convince any customs guy that the purchases are for personal use only.
What can you bring back?
Shoppers may bring back up to 24 bottles of wine, 64 bottles of beer (42 litres) and 5 bottles of spirits (4 litres).. There’s no limit on cheese, charcuterie or other French goodies but you will need to produce your receipts at Customs. Eyebrows will be raised if the value of your goods is more than €1000.
How much tax can you reclaim
VAT (or TVA in France) can be reclaimed on alcohol and on luxury goods like clothes and handbags. VAT is charged at 20 per cent, but you get only 15 per cent back due to an export admin charge.
How do I reclaim the tax?
It’s just a matter of scanning your invoice bar code. You will be reimbursed automatically.
- At Le Shuttle terminal in Calais there are four ‘Detaxe’ machines the size of bank telling machines.
- At the ferry terminal there are signs to customs where your invoice barcode can be scanned.
What happens if I go over the limit?
The French are a savvy lot and there are checks. If you have exceeded the limit you will be asked to fork out for import VAT at 20 per cent plus duty on the total amount. You will also be liable to excise duty, typically calculated at £28.50 per litre of alcohol imported.
Incidentally, there is a £390 limit on all other purchases, such as luxury goods, before you are liable to 20 per cent VAT. Buy one £350 handbag and you avoid the tax – buy two and you will have to pay VAT for the full £700.