I went to a preliminary hearing in February just to sort out a date convenient to both parties. The court hearing is on the 6th May, nearly twelve months after the event which was the 2nd July or if you want to believe a Minister from the Government after I complained about my treatment the 26th April or the Customs themselves the 2nd June. Both these dates have cropped up in correspondence with them but the official court record gives the correct date

ok cheers for that bookworm. I will have to get my forces records out. re the customs knowing what they are doing, he couldnt even add the ammount up correctly. just a small matter,one of the forms I received hasnt even got an official stamp on it were it should be, maybe I could mention that as well. just a small technicality

thanks for that bookworm. I actually thought that as well, I think I just needed reassuring. All the propaganda You read on the Customs websites etc makes you think that the onus is on yourself.

Does anyone know if there is a EU directive or any law which states that the onus is on customs to prove that the seized goods are for commercial reasons. I've looked but a lot of the material I don't really understand, is there anyone out there with a more delving mind than mine. I can't see how I have to prove they were not for commercial reasons

@ thailand. It will be held in a magistrates court. Thanks for all the advice so far. I am looking on the internet for any previous cases but not having much joy. once again many thanks to all who have contributed karl

thank you havingastella for your kind words. It's just so annoying when it feels like the Customs Officer treats you like some of the people you see on the Jeremy Kyle show who are proud of living off taxpayer's money. at bookworm.This is also annoying as how can Customs say they were for commercial use without any proof whatsoever, likewise how can I possibly prove they are for my family's use. I always thought in this country you were innocent until proven guilty but like butty said the customs are a law unto themselves or so they like to think which I think is wrong

havinastella I'm not saying that my money from DLA goes on tobacco at all. My wife has a very good job. It's the fact that the Customs Officer would have treated me differently if I had been in employment.The Customs officer seemed to think that just because I don't work that I am short of money so therefore am automatically go to spain for two days so I can sell the tobacco. I became disabled whilst in the forces, I am not a scrounger at all.

whilst I agree partly with you Pat even the Customs Officer was fine about the cigarettes being for the wife and the rolling tobacco for me. I think it was the amount I had and how much I had paid out for the products being on DLA . Fair enough when I have been on my trips I have seen groups of young men with the sole intention of bringing back as much as they could to sell on further. Seeing that I only go six monthly it would not be very profitable for me with the hotel and air fares taken into account. I also only bring back products which are not very popular. If I was going for commercial reasons I would bring back the popular products like Golden Virginia and Lambert and Butler

I was stopped by Customs at Manchester airport on 2nd July this year. I had 7900 cigarettes and 4.8 kgs of hand rolling tobacco. After a very stressful two hours of interrogation the Customs Officer decided to seize them. I have appealed against this and it now has to go to Magistrates Court sometime in December/January. I was wondering if anyone could possibly give me any advice. I have written to my MP about the Seizure and the way I was treated. All she has said is she will speak to the MP concerned with Customs but there is nothing she can do about the case. I cannot afford to hire a solicitor as I am on DLA It's an awful situation to be in as I can't afford to lose the money I paid out for my tobacco products which is roughly 900 pounds but I also can't afford to lose the case against Customs because of their Costs. I don't think it's right. My wife and myself had saved for this 2 day trip as it saves us a lot of money My arguments are that I travel to Spain roughly once every six months to get tobacco products for my wife and myself. I have done this for the last three years The first thing the Customs officer did was to ask a colleague to check my Passport to see how often I had traveled so they knew that it wasn't a regular trip. I answered all the questions he put to me, even if some were irrelevant I didn't try to hide or conceal anything I had all the receipts for the tobacco products that I had purchased showing that I had paid the tax in Spain. These will be my arguments when it does eventually go to Court. The most annoying thing is I received a letter off Customs basically saying that the tobacco products were for commercial reasons. How on a Customs officer's say so can they accuse me of that. I served in the Armed Forces for 9 years and left with an impeccable record. I feel as though I am being treated like a criminal. I was under the impression that we were part of Europe and it was a free market or does that only matter when it suits this Government I just hope somebody can give me some pointers and any advice would be appreciated thanks Karl

thanks for the welcome. hopefully will join in the forums soon. karl

Ive just been reading this brilliant site for a while tonight and really like it. It's amazing the things you are unaware of. I have a problem going on at the moment but seeing as it is now 2217 I will post tomorrow. I just hope someone can help me. I'm just a normal kind of guy but totally fed up with rip off Britain.