Illegal Importation of Tobacco
The European Union has framed rules for what it believes are reasonable quantities of tobacco that can be carried, to distinguish from commercial quantities. A traveller with amounts over the stipulated quantity could be allowed through only if he can prove it is for personal consumption, for example at a private birthday bash. Volumes below the guidelines could lead to legal action if, for instance, the same guy was coming through several times a month in an attempt to increase commercial levels of tobacco stock.
It has been reported that 80% of smuggled cigarettes come sealed in containers. The detection rate for the stuff brought in by foot or by car is only about 3% of the remaining percentage of smuggled cigarettes. Smuggling of tobacco and cigarettes costs the United Kingdom billions of pounds every year in taxes. The stipulated guidelines are just that, and there are no hard and fast rules with respect to the amount. However, there exists a mechanism to prevent people from importing excessive amounts of tobacco and tobacco products in order to gain a monetary advantage.
The main problem lies upon the current method of distinguishing cigarettes for personal use from cigarettes for commercial purposes. It has to be made clear whether importing low quantities of cigarettes and tobacco for commercial gain should be made a criminal offence. In the UK, rate charged as duty on tobacco is considerably higher than that in most of the countries in Europe. This, eventually, leads to many smokers in the United Kingdom going to the European mainland and making purchase of cigarettes there. This practice has also impelled smuggling for commercial purposes, as the rewards are high.
The UK government immediately issued rules stating that only 800 cigarettes and 1 kilo of tobacco should be imported into the United Kingdom. There were protests from different sources. Then, the United Kingdom reviewed its policy following many cases, and now, the guidelines state that 3200 cigarettes and 3 kilos of tobacco will be allowed. The officials were still given the authority to nab individuals if they were convinced that the cigarettes and tobacco were bought for commercial uses. However, the problem persists in distinguishing cigarettes for personal use from cigarettes for commercial gain.
But, it is a fact that the aggressive system employed by the Customs and Excise are saving the government millions of pounds in tax. The question remains at large as to whether this is being done in a legal manner. The Court has ruled that that those who bring in large quantities of tobacco must be ready to provide a satisfactory explanation, the absence of which may cause the officials to conclude that the stuff is not for personal use, but for some commercial purpose.
The policy of defining this cause of action as civil has been viewed as contemptuous. People view it as a perverted and vicious action. The Customs and Excise officials, who people would normally relate with the Ambulance service and the Police force, now are viewed with open contempt. More than that, many people now feel intimidated to travel freely through the country. The only way to regain the image would be to reclassify this specific action as criminal, and in the process including all of the required safeguards afforded to society, in the new system.
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