BRITISH CONSUMERS COULD SAVE THOUSANDS

The European Court of Justice is about to hand down a tax ruling that could change Britain's alcohol-buying habits forever. On November 23, the ECJ is expected to rule that goods bought in other EU states and sent across borders may only be taxed in their country of origin. At present, buyers have to physically accompany their purchases in order to avoid being taxed in their destination country.

In other words, cases of wine bought on the internet and sent from France to Britain would only be taxed at the French rate – less than 2p per bottle. Currently a bottle of wine sent to Britain is taxed at £1.29 per 75cl bottle. And while the new law would apply to all members of the EU, British consumers would benefit the most since Britain’s rates on wine and spirits – and tobacco – are some of the highest in Europe.