Court: Rocker's booze not tax-exempt

HELSINGBORG, Sweden, Aug. 6 (UPI) -- A Swedish musician's "right to rock" doesn't extend to considering copious amounts of alcohol as a personal expense for tax purposes, officials said.

The 21-year-old singer had tried to claim that because rockers drink a lot as part of their jobs, he should be allowed to import 12 gallons of spirits, 16 gallons of wine and 300 beers into Sweden without having to pay hefty import duties, The Local reported Wednesday.

"I … drink a great deal more than the average Swede. I'm a singer in a rock band and whiskey is a part of it," the rocker contended at an administrative court hearing in Helsingborg, Sweden.

However, the court disagreed with him, ruling that the booze didn't qualify under rules that exempt alcohol for "individual consumption" from the liquor import duties.