The European Commission has accused the government of breaking EU treaty law by seizing the goods of shoppers caught importing alcohol and tobacco on a "non-profit" basis for family and friends.

The EU's tax commissioner, Frits Bolkestein, said London's tough approach hit the rights of ordinary shoppers.

"Cross-border shopping within the internal market is a fundamental right under EU law and should not be regarded as a form of tax evasion, even if it gives rise to revenue losses for the UK exchequer," he said.