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EC steps in on 'personal use' saga
Page 6
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• The European Commission has threatened UK Customs and Excise with legal action over the way its officers treat truck drivers and members of the public returning to the UK with alcohol and cigarettes.
In August CMreported that the EC had received scores of complaints alleging that Customs officials are interfering with the free movement of people and goods, in breach of EU rules governing the internal market.
Hauliers have already been hit by the stringent way the UK applies the law, with Customs officers impounding trucks after drivers were caught with contraband. Hauliers say they have been left in the dark about these regulations.
Frits Bolkestein, the European Commissioner for the internal market and taxation, says: 'We want to make sure that private individuals are not hindered or prevented from bringing tobacco and alcohol products which they have bought in other member states back into the UK for non-commercial use."
The EC has asked UK Customs to clarify how it applies EU law on this matter: this is the first step on a road that could take Customs to the European Court of Justice.
Mike Freeman, head of international affairs with the RHA, praised the EC's stance: "We welcome anything that clears up this grey area."