Dear Sir or Madam,

I am writing to request information on the reason why a vehicle
arriving into the UK by Car-ferry may be subjected to a search by
customs. From what I am aware Customs Officers must have
justification for such checks to be carried out rather than at
random, although it has happened to me on a number of occasions.

Yours faithfully,

Mr J Bullock

Mr James Bullock

[FOI #603 email]

Date 23rd June 2008

Our Ref 2008/06 000013

Your Ref

Dear Mr Bullock

Thank you for your email of 25 May requesting information.

It may help if we explain that with effect from April 2008 Customs
(HMRC) border controls will be part of the new UK Border Agency. The new
agency brings together immigration, customs and visa checks to improve
border controls and security, while facilitating legitimate travel and
trade. The new agency will begin operations under shadow arrangements
with full agency status planned for April 2009. In the meantime HMRC
officers will continue to work to and use HMRC powers, policies and
procedures within the UK Border Agency structure.

As HMRC we are responsible for preventing the smuggling of excise goods,
drugs, crime related money, firearms and other prohibited or restricted
goods into or out of the UK. HMRC can stop travellers leaving or
entering the UK and question them to establish whether they are involved
in the import or export of illegal items. They are empowered to do so
both under legislation specific to HMRC, such as the Customs & Excise
Management Act 1979, and general legislation such as the Proceeds of
Crime Act 2002.

HMRC do not stop people at random although it is inevitable that during
the course of our activities to tackle smuggling travellers like
yourself will find themselves subject to Customs checks. It is not
departmental policy to provide individuals with specific reasons for
their stop as to do so may assist less honest travellers in avoiding our
controls.

I hope this reply is of some help and clarifies the situation.

Yours sincerely

Border Force (Detection Complaints)

Priory Court

St John's Road

Dover

Kent

CT17 9SH

Tel +44 (0) 1304 664511

Fax +44 (0) 1304 664459

Email [email address]

Web www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk and www.hmrc.gov.uk

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