by EuroNews
It’s published
•update
Carklop, a new car sharing service that allows users to organize cross-border travel from France to purchase cheap items such as cigarettes, is rattling the tobacco industry.
The platform was launched in France on September 11th, and people share car rides in France or Belgium with six destinations: Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Spain, Luxembourg and Andorra.
It promotes cross-border return journeys for users who want to save money when inflation reduces the purchasing power of French citizens. The platform’s name is a play with the word Clope, a French slang term for cigarettes.
“I created Carklop out of personal frustration,” Carklop founder Philippe Poulard said in a recent statement. “I found out that I’m paying almost three times the number of my neighbors because I live near the German border (in Germany).
The creation of the platform sparked a backlash from French Tobakconists.
“That’s totally ridiculous,” said Philip Coy, president of the Tabakconist National Federation, in an interview with the French Island.
“Traking people across the border means losing VAT and povertying local businesses.”
Meanwhile, the French tobacco union said it is considering taking legal action against Carcrop due to the economic damage that could be caused by the sector.
French shoppers face high prices
France has the most expensive cigarettes in Europe. It’s 92% higher than the EU average.
A cigarette packet costs an average of 12.50 euros in France. This is significantly higher than neighboring countries such as Italy (6.20 euros) and Spain (5.90 euros).
According to Carklop, regular smokers can save up to 1,445 euros per year through cheaper cross-border shopping.
The highest prices in the region are in Switzerland and Luxembourg, but in France it is also at least 11% higher. In contrast, the cheapest market is Spain, where the French can save up to 15% on their spending.
Italy is the cheapest country to buy alcohol, with prices 15% lower than the European average. French citizens traveling to the peninsula to buy wine, beer and other drinks can save up to 16% at the final price.
“We live in Europe and we can take advantage of that advantage,” said Poulard of Carklop.
Most cross-border shopping trips tend to be done individually, but this is more expensive than sharing a car.
Carklop’s platform is not illegal as long as everything is strictly personal, as long as users comply with legal purchase restrictions, such as 4 liters of cigarettes and 10 liters of spirits.
The company holds 15% while traveling, allowing users to travel up to twice a month.
