Smuggling offences in the UK occur when you are charged for breaking the law as per the Customs and Excise Management 1979. This means that you are under suspicion of illegally importing goods or evading products’ taxation and customs duties. Thus, there are a few different types of smuggling offences in the United Kingdom, and the penalties can vary based on the type of offence. Thus, this article provides you with what you should know about smuggling offences in the UK.
Different Examples of Smuggling Offences in the UK
As mentioned above, smuggling constitutes illegally importing goods into the UK, committing specific types of fraud, and not paying the appropriate customs duties or VAT. With that said, below are some examples of smuggling offences in the UK.
- Importing prohibited goods
- Illegally importing goods into the UK
- Illegally manufacturing Excising goods in the UK
- Diversion fraud
- Tax fraud
- Excise fraud
- Doing any action that is against the UK customs law
- VAT fraud, payment fraud, or invoice fraud
Please note that this list is not exhaustive, and other crimes can be considered smuggling. Thus, if you suspect you are being charged with a smuggling offence, contact a solicitor immediately. They can help explain your situation in greater detail and provide you with a defence strategy that can help you reduce your penalties.
What Are the Penalties for Smuggling Offences in the UK?
There are a few factors that affect the penalties for smuggling offences in the United Kingdom. These factors include the nature of the crime, the extent of the smuggling offence (i.e., the quality and value of the smuggled goods), and how many prior offences the individual or organisation has committed. Moreover, other factors include the value of the smuggled goods, the intention of smuggling specific goods, and the size of the individual’s or organisation’s smuggling operation.
Typically, all smuggling cases have the perpetrator forfeit all of the smuggled goods to law enforcement officials. In addition to that, they may have to pay penalty fees based on the nature of their crime. Some extreme cases of smuggling can also include imprisonment of up to 7 years. Imprisonment typically occurs with the smuggling of firearms and Class A drugs (in large quantities). You should note that very serious cases can also include imprisonment for life.
Last Few Words
If you want to be able to reduce the penalties for your smuggling offences in the UK, it is imperative that you seek legal representation as soon as possible. You may be able to significantly reduce your charges if your lawyer can determine the nuances of your case before it’s too late. Make sure to seek only those lawyers who are skilled and experienced in this field because you may end up paying a lot of money in penalty fees.
