From 1 December 2008, new rules on tax and duty free imports enter into force.

Travellers will benefit from cost savings when importing goods into the EU in their personal luggage.

At the same time, Member States will avoid administrative costs currently involved in collecting small amounts of duties and taxes.

Taxation and Customs Union Commissioner L಺ló Kovࢳ said: "Today's entry into force of new thresholds in duty-free travellers' allowances is good news for European travellers.

Many of the previous rules, which have been in place since 1969, were no longer relevant to today's world.

From today, citizens will benefit from a nearly doubled monetary threshold and more generously calculated limits for certain beverages when importing goods in their personal luggage into the European Union.

At the same time, due to the increased monetary thresholds Member States will avoid administrative costs currently involved in collecting small amounts of import duties and taxes."

Travellers' allowances are the monetary thresholds or the quantitative limits under which travellers entering the EU from third countries are allowed to import duty free in their personal luggage.

From 1 December 2008 onwards, the new rules will:

1. Increase the current monetary threshold from £145 (