SMUGGLING – ECJ
March 1st, 2004
BY KEITH NUTHALLHAULIERS who unwittingly drive concealed goods into a European Union (EU) country are liable for the duty if a customs inspection reveals they have been duped into smuggling a high value cargo, the European Court of Justice has ruled. It said the EU's Community Customs Code requires that a lorry driver and co-driver declare all goods, "including those hidden in a secret compartment specially made for that purpose...even though the goods were hidden in the vehicle without their knowledge". As a result, "the person who has introduced goods into the ...
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