The European Court of Justice has rejected a legal bid to allow online European shoppers to purchase cheap cigarettes and alcohol anywhere throughout the EU.
The ruling is a blow to Europeans hoping to buy cheap alcohol abroad via the internet.
The Luxembourg-based court upheld the current interpretation of EU rules, which state that in order to benefit from cheaper taxes elsewhere, consumers have to travel to the EU country in question and pick up their purchases.
The ruling was keenly awaited in Britain and Ireland, where alcohol and cigarette taxes are particularly high compared with the continent.
The weekday or weekend 'booze cruise' is a common pursuit for many British consumers who return from warehouse shops in northern France with cars and vans laden with wine, beer, spirits and cigarettes.
The National Off Licence Association welcomed the decision, calling on the Government to reduce the high rates of tax Irish consumers pay on alcohol.
