Litigation Team Success for US Company

The Rogers & Norton HMRC and UK Border Force Litigation team were delighted to help with the restoration of goods worth several hundred thousand pounds for an American company importing goods into the UK.

The items were seized shortly before Christmas and created significant consequences for the company at a challenging time of year to find a solution to the problems they had with HMRC. The goods were destined for companies in the UK and could mean our client would be in breach of contract should they not fulfil the order and it may ultimately tarnish their hard-earned reputation for quality service.

Our specialist team that deal with HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) claims, in particular relating to the detention of goods, seizure of goods, understood the need to react quickly to get the goods restored, as the effect on cash flow together with the potential impact on jobs, would be problematic for any company.

HMRC accepted our assertions that whilst our client understood their shipping agent had made an error, the issue in question concerned only a very small proportion of the consignment and had no consequences to the HMRC regarding the payment of more duty.

It was also noted that our client had never had any previous dealings of this nature with HMRC Border Force and that their actions could be seen as disproportionate against the alleged offence.

We have a wide experience in dealing with detentions, stoppages and the seizure of goods by UK Border Force. The team deals with the worldwide importation of goods to the UK, including the huge market from China, Europe, America and Mexico. We work with clients who want goods restored at all major ports of entry, such as Felixstowe and London Gateway, together with Stansted, Gatwick & Heathrow.

We are experienced in Magistrates Court proceedings; First Tier Tax Tribunal; Court of Appeal; European Convention on Human Rights; Administrative Court and Injunctions and can assist with Tax, Duty and Vat claims and issues.