Customs condemned for rules on booze and fags
Page 5
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
• by Cliff Caswell The British Government is under scrutiny after European bosses received a flood of complaints about the way Customs & Excise is enforcing alcohol and tobacco import rules.
The European Commission confirms it is reviewing scores of letters from angry UK residents relating to exactly how much alcohol and tobacco can be brought into the UK from the Continent for personal consumption.
The EC says the complaints are being examined, but stresses that it is too early to say if any action will be taken.
Hauliers have already slammed the heavyhanded attitude of Customs, which has the power to impound trucks if drivers are caught with contraband (see feature, page 36-7). They also say they have been left in the dark about the regulations.
But Customs bosses have robustly defended their methods of stopping drivers and hauliers importing contraband.
A spokeswoman says the authority is not under formal investigation by the EC, and rejects accusations that hauliers did not have the rules spelt out to them.
She adds: "We have advertised in trade magazines, contacted trade associations and informed hauliers through posters in ports and through flyers.' But on the issue of what constitutes personal consumption, the spokeswoman adds: "People can bring back as many goods as they like. If the figure is above a set EI.J limit, however, they must prove that it is for their own personal use."
Nevertheless, trade associations are still worried about the way Customs has been enforcing Its powers to impound trucks if drivers are caught smuggling alcohol and tobacco.
Mike Freeman, Head of International Affairs at the Road Haulage Association (RHA) confirmed he was due to meet Customs representatives as CM went to press. He adds: "There are a lot of things that we need to sort out."