Following complaints from travellers, the European Commission has warned the government that customs policy could be breaking European law through its limitations on the quantities of certain goods.

The commission has asked for a satisfactory reply from the government to the charges within the next two months. Failing this, a formal request will be made for changes to the practices of UK customs and excise.

If this is unsatisfactory, the government could be taken to the European Court of Justice in Luxembourg.

A report on Wednesday showed that 7000 cars had been seized by Customs and Excise at UK ports.

Speaking to the BBC Radio 4 Today programme, Jonathan Todd, spokesman on the internal market for the commission, said: "We are concerned that people should not be stopped from bringing in larger quantities than these guidence levels simply because it's over these indicative guidelines. People have a right to buy as much of goods in another country as they like, as long as it's for their own personal consumption".

Currently, consumers cannot bring into the UK more than 110 litres of beer, 10 litres of spirits, 90 litres of table wine, no more than 800 cigarettes or 1kg of tobacco.

Despite his comments, Todd admitted that there were exceptional cases. "If, for example, they've got the equivilant of five years consumption of tobacco then they may legitimately question a persons motives," he said.

Customs and Excise has defended its role, describing its work as "robust and flexible". A spokesman for the organisation said earlier this year: "There are cases where an individual explains that they are bringing in large quantities for a particular reason and if they can prove it, we accept it."