Travellers purchasing alcohol from so-called duty free shops at the departure lounges of Eurostar stations can continue to do so above ordinary permitted limits.

The cross-Channel operator has been forced to defend changes to its alcohol policy in the face of national press reports centred on a public backlash against ‘new rules’, which means passengers are restricted from carrying more than one bottle of wine and four cans/bottles of beer onboard. Spirits are also forbidden.

Eurostar says it reserves the right to confiscate any alcohol over its permitted allowances and the policy – introduced to ‘help maintain a pleasant environment for all travellers’ – has in fact been in place since Autumn last year.

A Spokesperson today confirmed to TRBusiness that retailers such as Dufry-owned World Duty Free (WDF) are unaffected by the changes and can sell alcohol [not at duty free prices; for the uninformed intra-EU duty free sales were abolished in 1999 – Ed] in sealed bags above Eurostar’s allowances to travellers across its Europe network.

TRAVELLERS SEEK CLARITY

Members of the public appear to have expressed confusion on Twitter regarding Eurostar’s stance on alcohol purchases made post-security from the shops.

WDF states on its website that Eurostar permits up to six bottles of champagne or three bottles of spirits per traveller at its St Pancras International station store located after security, although TRBusiness has reached out to clarify the exact limits and how the retailer is communicating those limit exemptions to customers.

The Eurostar Spokesperson added: “We manage relationships directly with our retailers, and they have been selling spirits in sealed bags since any changes were introduced.”

Commenting on the changes to its alcohol limits, Eurostar said in a statement provided to this publication: “We now restrict alcohol to one bottle of wine per person or four bottles/cans of beer to maintain a pleasant environment on board for all our travellers.

“Those that wish to take more with them for consumption at home can do so using our registered luggage service, EuroDespatch.”

Eurostar says its alcohol policy is clearly communicated via its website and then monitored through its security screening process and by its teams.

A note on its website regarding alcohol rules states: “Although you can bring alcohol with you and we serve alcohol on board, safety is our top priority.

“So, please drink in moderation. If you behave in an antisocial way which ruins the journey for other passengers or break any laws or by-laws, we might ask you to leave the train at the nearest station.”

Night trains and those used to transport fans to or from sports events do not sell alcohol onboard and passengers are forbidden to bring alcohol with them.

Alcoholic drinks are confiscated at check-in and only non-alcoholic drinks in sealed bottles are allowed to pass through security at departure stations.