As far as I know the duty free status means UK duty free. If you go over your allowance, and get caught, you'll have to pay any customs duty, excise duty etc that is due. Have a look at HM Revenue and Customs

http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/customs/arriving/arrivingnoneu.htm#2

If it is bought out of the EU then you only have the usual allowance of 1 litre per adult. If you exceed that and hide it and get caught then you are a smuggler. If you are caught then I don't think you have the option of paying the duty. The booze will be confiscated and destroyed. You may also be prosecuted. What is it that you can buy in Walmart and not get over here that is worth getting a criminal record for? If you are over the limit and declare it on entry then you will be allowed to keep it as long as you pay the import duty.

And 'duty free' in the US means free of US duty not EU duty.

Gosh I must be thick, I thought this would only apply to items bought in airports in the actual duty free shops NOT normal shops

I thought in 'duty free' shops alcohol is alot cheaper so thats why you are only allowed to have a certain amount but in say Walmart the alcohol isn't that cheap, that why I was asking.

Thank you for the replies.

Mi$$y

I contacted a UK Customs Officer to get the official answer to this and here is his reply:-

If the goods are bought in walmart it is still duty free because the duty has not been paid on the item/s in the EU, an items doesnt need to be bought in a duty free shop to be duty free, sure they/you would pay taxes at the local rate but this does not make it tax paid.

If the person got stopped then in theory yes the goods would be seized, and not just the excess amount all the goods, however a common sense officer would either charge the vat and duty on the item, which would probably make it more expensive than buying it in the UK, however if there had been any previous indiscretions then the person would be far more likely to lose their goods.

luci

Thank you luci

Also bear in mind that you have to pay tax on any items you buy after about $145 (or £ I can't remember)
So if you buy any jeans/jumpers etc. Take off all the labels before you fly home and say you took them with you!!!

The duty free allowance from non-EU to EU countries was recently changed and you are now allowed £340pp of "other goods".

http://www.uktrf.com/Travellers-Allowances/New-duty-and-tax-free-allowances/Current-duty-free-allowances-(Travel-outside-the-EU).page

luci