The European Commission has proposed reforming the European Union's excise duty directive.

The aim is to make it clear that private consumers buying alcohol in one member state can physically bring their purchases to another without paying excise duty twice.

This right has been challenged, notably by Sweden which fears it’s state controlled monopoly on alcohol distribution is being undermined,  so the Commission is asking the EU Council of Ministers to ‘clarify’ the existing rules.

Brussels said it wanted EU excise duty laws to closely follow "the internal market principle” which states that products acquired by private individuals for their own use should be taxed in the member state in which they are bought.