Eurostar's strict new wine rules: what you can – and can't – bring back from Paris

Many who travel to France bring a few bottles home so they can savour the fading memories of their holiday even in the grey British drizzle.

However, passengers have been shocked by strict new rules on the Eurostar which prohibit those on board from bringing back more than one bottle of wine while banning spirits altogether.

This is despite alcohol being served at Eurostar stations and on board trains, and the firm's website encouraging passengers to "bring back ... a bottle or two from a chateau-hopping trip".

Many have complained about the new rule, which is being implemented on passengers travelling this summer.

Will Roberts wrote: "That's crazy. You mean I can no longer bring a six pack of Belgian beer back home in my bag after a trip to Brussels? Is there a way to convince them to change?"

Maurits Wever said: "That's a pity. We're going on holiday to the Scottish islands of Arran and Islay. We wanted to buy some local whiskies, but these aren't allowed on @Eurostar."

Rail expert Mark Smith, founder of Seat61.com, said Eurostar has "quietly changed its luggage policy" after previously having a "fairly easygoing" attitude to alcohol which saw only disruptive passengers and those travelling to ski destinations affected.

He claimed it will be "completely unnecessary" to enforce the new measures on all trains.

"Eurostar has been around for over 20 years," he said. "Why is (carrying alcohol) now a problem? I don't believe society has changed that much.

"There's an awful lot of people who are a bit shocked that they could be caught out. They're shocked that they won't be able to bring back a couple of bottles of nice wine from Paris or some fascinating Belgian beers from Brussels."

He added: "It's going to be inconvenient for a lot of passengers. It might not affect businessmen travelling first class who get (served) wine anyway, but it's going to be a pain in the neck.

"I think air travel is a bit of a pain in the neck a lot of the time and we need a bit of respite."

A spokesman for Eurostar said its luggage policy was updated last autumn to "maintain a pleasant environment on board for all our travellers".

Passengers who want to transport prohibited alcohol are advised to use the firm's luggage service, which charges a minimum fee of £30 per item.

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