European football competition are coming up. Especially for the fans now planning their trip, the Office of Competition and Consumer Protection and the All-Ukrainian Consumers’ Federation Pulse remind about the most important travel rules

There are still 39 days before the start of the European Football Championships. Fans who decided to travel by plane and these using their local travel agencies should be aware of their rights. UOKiK and UCF Pulse remind about them once again.

Planes

If you travel to host cities in Poland and Ukraine by plane, remember:

• return of ticket bought on-line: airlines’ regulations determine the deadline for ticket return and the amount of compensation fee for resigning. However, it may occur the ticket cannot be returned;
• flight delay or cancellation: money refund is possible when the flight is delayed more than 5 hours or cancelled. If a delayed flight is rescheduled till the following day, airlines are obliged to provide a passenger with assistance: free accommodation, meals and phone connection. Whenever airlines fail to do so, you may file a complaint;
• luggage: lost or damaged. In case of luggage damage, one should immediately fill in the special form, the so called PIR (Property Irregularity Report), available at the airport. Furthermore, it is worth filing a complaint to the airline. In the complaint form, one states the price of the damaged luggage or its content.

Border limits – beyond the EU

To Poland from Ukraine or other countries beyond the EU it is allowed to bring a maximum of: 1 litre of alcohol over 22 percent, 2 litres of alcohol below 22 percent, 4 litres of non-sparkling wines, 16 litres of beer, 40 cigarettes (land transport) and 200 cigarettes (air transport). Remember: alcoholic beverages and tabacco products can be brought in only by persons over 17.

It is worth considering the limits concerning carring certain goods in the territory of the EU by travellers coming from beyond the EU. The personal luggage must not contain any animal-origin food – meat, milk or dairy products.

To Ukraine from Poland (or other countries of the EU) one can import: 1 litre of vodka, 2 litres of wine, 5 litres of beer and 200 cigarettes. It is allowed to carry food products for personal use below EUR 50 per capita and weighing up to 2 kilos. And EUR 10 thousand in cash with no customs declaration required.

When leaving Ukraine for other MS of the EU, we do not pay the duty provided the purchased products in our luggage e.g. presents, do not exceed EUR 300 (land transport), EUR 430 (airlines) - tabacco and alcohol are not included here. If the products in your luggage do not exceed the amounts specified, when crossing the border, head for the channel Nothing to declare (pl. Nic do zgłoszenia) - at the time of Polish and Ukrainian championships there will be operating Euro2012 green channels (pl. Euro2012 zielone pasy).

Limits on borders - EU

Each Member State of the EU can independently set limits to alcohol and tobacco products imported from another MS. The quantity of goods allowed for import must not be lower than: 10 litres of ethyl alcohol, 90 litres of wine, 110 litres of beer, 800 cigarettes.

How to rent a car?

Both in Poland and Ukraine car rents are available in big cities, e.g. near airports, railway stations. Regulations of undertakings specify rules for car rent. Make sure what exactly the insurance and price include, what additional charges are indicated in the contract (e.g. faults, additional driver), or whether there is a fixed mileage. Assess condition of the rented car and necessarily draw up agreement in writing. When returning the car, together with the car rent worker sign the delivery report stating the returned car suffered no damages.

In Poland you pay a toll for driving a passage of motorways A1, A2, A4, whereas in Ukraine motorways are free of charge.

Trips

If at the time of Euro 2012 you wish to use an offer of local travel agencies and visit Poland or Ukraine, it is worth noting the two countries apply different rules for filing complaints concerning unsuccessful trips. In Ukraine the rules are laid down in a regulation established by a travel agency, in Poland – the time limit is 30 days to file a complaint to the organizer. Within the time you should get a reply from the undertaking. You make a complaint in writing claiming for price reduction. In both countries the tour guide should be immediately reported about any irregularities.

Where to seek assistance?

If you face problems with a seller, knowledge of Polish language or Ukrainian consumer law, you can turn to:

In Poland: consumer ombudsmen, consumer organizations, you can also call the free of charge consumer infoline where you will receive free legal advice 800 007 707 (infoline available from fixed telephony and mobile phones in Poland, Monday to Friday, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm). During EURO 2012 the legal advice will be available also in English.

European Consumer Centres provide information on consumer rights in specific countries of the European Union.

In Ukraine: All-Ukrainian Consumers’ Federation Pulse and regional consumer authorities.

All-Ukrainian Consumers’ Federation Pulse – it is the association of Ukrainian non-governmental consumer organizations. In 2006-2010 members of the Federation were partners in the project of the United Nations Development Program regarding the development for consumers. After its completion, they founded their own NGO. The prime objective of the Pulse Federation is representation of consumer interests in relations with the government and undertakings, supporting the development of law and enhancing the role of weaker market participants to meet European standards.

The Polish Office of Competition and Consumer Protection – it was founded in Poland in 1990. It takes responsibility for competition, collective consumer interests, monitors state aid, quality of fuels and ensures the surveillance of general product safety. While implementing the government policy of consumer protection, it inter alia initiates proceedings concerning infringement of collective consumer interests. UOKiK cooperates with the municipal and poviat consumer ombudsmen and NGOs financed from the State Budget (Polish Consumer Federation, Association of Polish Consumers), which provide free legal assistance in individual cases.

Additional information for the media - Poland:
Małgorzata Cieloch, Spokesperson for UOKiK
Department of International Relations and Communication
Pl. Powstańców Warszawy 1, 00-950 Warszawa
Phone: +48 22 55 60 106
Fax: +48 22 826 11 86
E-mail: [SCODE]bWFsZ29yemF0YS5jaWVsb2NoQHVva2lrLmdvdi5wbA==[ECODE]

Additional information for the media - Ukraine:
Nataliia Borodachova
Vice-President for International Cooperation All-Ukrainian Consumer Federation Pulse
Miljutenko 6a Str., 02-156 Kiev
Phone/fax: +38 044 51 39 936
E-mail: [SCODE]dWNmX3B1bHNlQHVrci5uZXQ=[ECODE]
www.consumerinfo.org.ua