UK tourists with handbags in Spain warned over £170 on-the-spot fines

A little-known Spain law could see tourists fined €200 for shopping. New research by Haypp has shown that 80% of people are unaware of the changing laws that apply abroad, so the team has put together some of the most important ones that you may not already know about.

But in an effort to remove unlicensed street sellers from the tourist strips, Spain has announced a €200 fine (£170) to any tourist caught buying from them. The government has announced this in an attempt to reduce the sale of illegal items - so be careful next time you're browsing any ‘fakes’ this summer.

It comes weeks after the National Police have arrested six people in Costa Adeje, in the south of Tenerife, for crimes "against industrial property and copyright after inspections found they were selling counterfeit goods with the logos of well-known brands."

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Over 4,500 items were confiscated including sportswear and accessories from prestigious labels. They collectively conducted raids on various businesses in Costa Adeje and as a result, 4,500 watches, football kits, items of clothing, and accessories such as handbags and wallets, were seized, and the six shop owners were taken into custody.

The National Police said in a press release that, in crimes of this nature, "the perpetrators seek unfair economic gain at the expense of legitimate businesses and brands, jeopardising the quality assurance of products for consumers." "The police operations aim to safeguard consumer rights and maintain the integrity of the market," they said.

Plain-clothed police will be conducting patrols throughout the city during the peak summer holiday period, and individuals caught buying from unlicensed 'manteros' will be hit with immediate fines of up to €200 (equivalent to £170). These sellers are locally known in Spain as manteros or 'top mantas' because they typically display their goods on top of blankets spread out on the street.