Is it allowed to transport gas canisters from Spain to Portugal?
According to the information available on the platform “save in the bottle“, from DECO Proteste, the average price of a 13-kilogram butane bottle in the last quarter in Portugal stands at 26.80 euros and an 11 kilogram bottle of propane costs on average 25.88 euros. Already in Spanish territory, and according to data from Galp Energia, a 12.5 kg bottle of butane costs 16.12 euros and an 11-kilogram propane cost 14.19 euros.
With the discrepancy in prices, many Portuguese choose to bring gas cylinders from the neighboring country, not knowing the legislation in force. Recently, an internet user complained on social networks that he had been fined by the Tax and Customs Authority in excess of 300 euros for having transported gas cylinders in your vehicle.
But, after all, is it legal or not to bring gas canisters from Spain to the national territory?
The Polygraph questioned the official source of the Institute of Mobility and Transport (IMT) which, in response, explains that the “international transport of dangerous goods is allowed pursuant to the Agreement Concerning the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road (ADR), approved by the Decree-Law No. 41-A / 2010, in the current wording “.
There are cases of exemption provided for by the document, as the “transport of hazardous substances carried out by natural persons when as bulk substances they are packaged for retail sale and intended for their personal or domestic use or for leisure or sports activities, provided they are attended to measures to prevent any content leakage under normal transport conditions”.
If the main goods “flammable liquids carried in refillable containers full” transported by or to a private person “the total quantity it should not exceed 60 liters per pool and 240 liters per transport unit. Dangerous things in IBCs, large packages or cisterns are not evaluated as packaged, for retail sale”.
The IMT also stated that, “in the context of the competition that defines the safety rules for the transport of dangerous goods, two gas bottles are allowed to be transported from Spain to Portugal”
“In the context of the competition that defines the safety rules for the transport of dangerous goods, the transport of two bottles of gas from Spain to Portugal is allowed.”
official source of Portuguese Association for Consumer Protection (DECO) explains to the Polygraph that “a single certainty is that individuals can carry up to two bottles of butane in their car for private use”, but indicates that “private caution” is still recommended.
“The transport of this type of dangerous products has a very tight and complex legislation. One thing is certain, the market is not liberalized to the point where a Spanish operator can sell ‘Spanish’ bottles in Portugal, and vice versa, as there are specific rules that are not compatible between the two countries”, he points out.
The transport of this type of dangerous products has a very strict and complex legislation. One thing is certain, the market is not liberalized to the point where a Spanish operator can sell ‘Spanish’ bottles in Portugal, and vice versa, as there are specific rules that are not compatible between the two countries “
“There is also a repair regarding the butane gas sold in Portugal and Spain, there are differences in its composition (determined nationally by the respective legislation, although very approximate), as well as at the level of the bottles and respective reducers, which can result in bottles that are not 100% compatible which implies special care in their use and adaptation (Use the correct reducers and any need to change reducers, or need to adapt burners)”, he concludes.
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Polygraph Evaluation:
True, but…