Brussels, 07/07/2004 (Agence Europe) - The European Commission has sent a reasoned opinion to the United Kingdom calling on it to amend its policy to combat alcohol and tobacco excise fraud. It considers that confiscating the goods and sometimes the vehicle of those bringing illegal amounts into the country, which is a minor offence, is disproportionate to the crime and hinders the free movement of goods.
Imports of alcohol and tobacco for exclusively private use are authorised in the United Kingdom as in the rest of the EU, without customs duties. All imports intended for gainful sale is taxed on the other hand. The problem arises when individuals import alcohol and cigarettes to sell them at a profit to friends and colleagues for example. In the latter case, British customs agents seize the goods, which are not returned, and even sometimes the vehicles, which are only returned under certain conditions.
According to the Commission, this is a "very severe and intrusive" measure which goes beyond the aims of British customs policy. Customs seizure does in practice discourage the British to go and buy products on the other side of the Channel, it says. The United Kingdom has two months in which to answer the Commission's formal notice, before action is initiated against it before the Court of Justice.