The wide range of responsibilities of Customs, and the consequent impact on the business community, can and does give rise to a dispute in several ways, which may or may not subsequently involve a business in litigation.
A VAT assessment may be issued by Customs to recover undeclared or over claimed VAT, which may or may not have arisen out the conduct or actions of someone involved in the running of the business.
Likewise, a business may receive a demand for customs duty arising out of breaches of the rules and regulations relating to the import of particular goods. It may be the importer or it could be the freight forwarder or Customs clearance agent who receives the demand.
A business involved in goods which are subject to excise duty – wines, beers, spirits, tobacco, cigarettes, road fuel, is at risk of receiving an assessment for excise duty from Customs. This may arise out of a breach of the procedures, or as a result of fraud by third parties, relating to the storage or transport of dutiable products. It could be the owner of the goods, the storage warehouse, the haulier, or the customer.
Our Customs Investigations & Litigation Team has acted on behalf of a wide range of clients caught up in a dispute or litigation with Customs with some notable successes. We have also been instructed as expert witnesses to advise and work with lawyers in civil proceedings involving Customs.
Our team would like to speak to you if you are facing a dispute or litigation with Customs to explain how we can assist you.
For more information please contact us