. • Don't pay rf s not fair
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ROUTIERS member Mrs Mandy found out the hard way about French Custom Officials' tough approach last July. She was on her way to deliver a load of tin plate to a company in Boulogne.
Unfortunately, the permit she handed over was a multiple one which had expired by five days. The official accepted the permit, stamped it, and then told her it was expired.
Realising the genuine error, Mrs Mandy and her boss (codriving) offered to remedy the situation with the correct permit: "In seven years we have never used an illegal or invalid permit." However, as can be ex pected they were fined 2,500 Francs (£208).
Having paid this sum, they contacted Routiers Drivers Club to ask if they could appeal against the size of the fine, which they considered savage.
Routiers had to advise that, once a French customs fine has been paid, it is assumed that the driver or operator has accepted the transaction. There is virtually no chance of art appeal. On the other hand, it is possible to refuse to pay the fine in which case the matter will be heard in court. If she had done this, Mrs Mandy would have been able to put forward a defence.