EU move to protect cross-Channel shoppers

12.00.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Thu 13th Nov 2003

Liberal Democrat Euro-MP for London Baroness Sarah Ludford has strongly welcomed the announcement from the European Commission of legal steps to oblige the British government to respect the rights of cross-Channel shoppers.

Sarah Ludford said:

"I am delighted that the EU Commission is now taking effective action to protect the rights of honest cross-Channel shoppers.The British government should respect one of the essential freedoms we enjoy as European Union citizens, the freedom to travel unhindered and transport goods freely for our own use from one country to another."

"Of course the government has the right to protect its tax revenues against commercial smuggling. But it is absurd to treat innocent shoppers as smugglers and confiscate their cars for no reason other than the unfounded suspicions of customs officers."

The Commission has sent a so-called "letter of formal notice", the first stage of EU infringement procedures against a national government, questioning the excessively heavy-handed approach of UK customs officers at Channel ports. In an over-zealous attempt to stop the illegal smuggling of cigarettes and alcohol, UK customs officers have summarily confiscated the vehicles of countless cross-Channel shoppers who are legitimately taking advantage of cheaper alcohol and tobacco prices in France and Belgium to shop for their own consumption.

Related Link:

European Commission press release on this issue.