i've always been led to believe that youcan only bring back what you can legally buy. but check with the TA.

As you refer to duty free, I assume that he is returning from outwith the EU. THIS page from HM Customs & Excise website indicates that 'under 17s' have no duty free allowance for alcohol or tobacco products. However, he would also be subject to the laws of the country he is visiting, with regard to any minimum age for the purchase of such products.

David

We going to Fuerteventura in the Canary Islands, so adults have an allowance of 200 cigarettes and 1 litre of spirits. He is 17½ and therefore according to the HM Customs site he should be able to bring back his allowance, as he is not "under 17", but as you say David, he's subject to the laws of the country he is visiting, and I'm pretty sure in Spain you have to be 18 to buy both cigarettes and alcohol... it's very confusing. Obviously there won't be problem buying the goods in Fuerteventura, as I'll be able to purchase them on his behalf, but then would they count as my allowance? How would Customs at Manchester Airport deal with this crossover of laws/restrictions?

I think you'll find the customs here will not let an underage person bring in duty free tobacco and spirits from anywhere in Spain as they will know the minimum age that they can be purchased. I suppose if he looked older than his years he might get away with it but that is definately not to be recommended.

There was talk of Spain increasing the minimum age to 21 years for the purchase of alcohol a little while ago as they were concerned about the under age drinking amongst the younger population a problem not dissimilar to the UK.

Hi

My eldest son went on his first lads only holiday when he was 17. They all brought back cigs/drink either for them or family and they where fine. All depends wether they get stoppped at customs I suppose.