Useful Information - Alderney

Alcohol & Tobacco Allowance to UK or Europe

Cigarettes 200 or Cigarillos 100 or Cigars 50 or Tobacco 250g

Table Wine 2 litres

Spirits(+ 22% vol.) 1 litre or Fortified sparkling wine 2 litres

or additional still Table wine 2 litres

Perfume 60cc/ml and Toilet Water 250 cc/ml        

Other Goods £145

Persons under 17 are not entitled to tobacco or alcohol allowances

Animals

The Channel Islands are Rabies-free and so only animals originating from the British Isles may be landed (the only exception is where an import licence is held. In all other cases a 6-month quarantine is required. The penalty for smuggling animals into Alderney from foreign countries is severe.

Banks

There are two cash dispensers on the island at  HSBC and Lloyds/TSB in Victoria Street. 

Cheques supported by a cheque card are accepted by most establishments and all major credit cards and traveller cheques may also be used.

UK and CI  notes and coins are in circulation, but CI notes should be exchanged for Sterling prior to returning to the UK. CI money is on a par with Sterling

Useful numbers

Car Hire

The island is one of the cheapest places in Europe to hire a car. You will be surprised how reasonable the daily and weekly rates are together with fuel at around half the cost of that in the UK. 

Churches

Church of England, Roman Catholic Church, Methodist Church, Salvation Army. Quakers.    For more information, click here.

Driving

Left-hand traffic; no traffic jams.

Parking disk for restricted parking areas in St. Anne's. 
Island wide speed limit: 35mph.

Drugs

The possession or importation of heroin, morphine, cocaine, cannabis, amphetamines, barbiturates, LSD and MD (M) A (Ecstasy) are totally banned in all the Channel Islands and are punished with severe fines and in many cases, custodial sentences.

Duty-Free

Alderney offers its own duty-free facilities, where visitors can purchase alcohol and cigarettes at exceptionally low prices, prior to departure from different retail outlets on the Island.

Importation of Goods

The following restrictions apply:

If brought in from a country of the EC

Goods to an unlimited value, with the exception of beer and cider to a maximum of 50 litres per person (or a combination of beer and cider).

If brought in from a country outside of the E.C

Goods to a value of £136.

If you bring in something worth more than the limited value of £136, you will have to pay duty on the full value, not just on the value above £136.

If travelling as a family or group, you cannot pool your individual allowances towards an item worth more than the limited value. You will have to pay duty on the full value of the item.

Language

English is the language spoken in Alderney.

Medical

The UK National Health Service does not extend to Alderney but there is a reciprocal Health Convention between the UK Dept of Health and the States of Alderney for immediate necessary medical services for visitors. Island residents receive free hospital care but have to meet the cost of GP, Optician and physiotherapy services. The cost of an ambulance must also be privately met. Prescription drugs are subject to a set charge.

Useful numbers

Newspapers, Radio & TV

UK national newspapers and some foreign papers are available on the Island, together with the Alderney Journal, Guernsey Press, Guernsey Globe and the Jersey Evening Post. Channel TV is the local ITV provider and ITV's Channel 4 (but not Channel 5) and BBC 1 & 2 are also available. BBC local radio and the commercial station Island FM are also received on the island

Passports

Passports are not required for citizens of Britain and the Irish Republic. Citizens of the European Community, Austria, Switzerland, Monaco and Liechtenstein require passports or national identity cards. Nationals of other western European countries and North America need valid passports , but visas are not required.

Postal Services

Alderney's Post Office is a sub-office of the Guernsey Post Office and has its own stamps which is used on postage mailed from the island. The Post Office is open Mon to Fri 8.30am to 5.00pm and Sat 8.30 am to 12.00pm.

Public Holidays

Banks offices and many shops close on Public Holidays. These are the same as in the UK except for an additional one in the first week of August which coincides with Alderney's carnival week. 

Restricted Goods

A licence is required for the importation of any of the following:

Animals and birds

Caravans and dormobiles

Endangered species whether alive or dead
also such things as fur, ivory, and reptile leather
(or goods made from them)

Firearms, explosives and ammunition, including fireworks and gas cannisters

Certain plants, trees, shrubs, potatoes, fruit and vegetables

Certain radio transmitters, such as CB radios

Uncooked meats and poultry

Time Zone

The time is the same as the rest of the UK.

VAT- free Shopping 

The island has no VAT and so enjoy the shopping experience. Shops are generally open Monday to Saturday 9.00am to 5.30pm. However some shops close for lunch and on Wednesday afternoons. During the height of the summer season, some shops  also open on Sundays.

If you require further information or advice on the import or export of goods, please contact:
The Customs & Excise Department
PO Box 417
White Rock
St. Peter Port
Guernsey GY1 3WJ
Tel; +44 (0)1481 726911

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