Restoration Success for Border Force Team

21st Jun 2019

The litigation team has achieved yet another major result in successfully gaining the restoration of an HGV tractor unit seized by HMRC Border Force. The lorry had been impounded following the discovery of a quantity of tobacco belonging to the driver in his cab.

Despite the tobacco having no connection to the owners of the lorry, Border Force made the decision to seize the cab, potentially costing the owners hundreds of pounds a day in loss of income, on top of the loss of an expensive truck cab..

Our client had repeatedly advised their drivers that they were forbidden to take any quantities of tobacco that exceeded permitted limits, when they cross the border.

We were delighted that Border Force chose to restore the lorry to our client free of charge and no claim for excise duty was made at all.

As one of the leading legal teams involved in this type of work, our detailed and thorough knowledge of HMRC Border Forces systems and procedures enabled us to mount a detailed and rapid challenge to the seizure. The client was delighted with the outcome in recovering their lorry, minimising both the loss of income to them and the inconvenience to their customers.

We can also advise on Border Force’s policies for seizure, restoration and take to step to avoid seizures.

The success of the team is based on the ability to act quickly and decisively to support our clients in very trying and stressful circumstances. Companies can have both goods and assets seized that impact heavily on their ability to trade successfully – we understand the issues involved and use our experience to help gain a successful outcome for them. Our clients are based throughout the UK; Europe; the Far East; Mexico and the USA.