Beer Imports (Hansard, 16 May 1994)

§ Mr. Couchman
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps he is taking to prevent unaccompanied duty-paid imports of beer.

§ Sir John Cope
The European Commissioner responsible for taxation policy has confirmed the United Kingdom Government's view that United Kingdom excise duty and VAT must be paid on unaccompanied duty-paid imports of excise goods. Customs are performing checks using intelligence techniques to detect individuals attempting to avoid duty payment. In this way illegal unaccompanied imports may be detected in transit, at the recipient's premises, or subsequently.

§ Mr. Couchman
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the regional distribution throughout the United Kingdom of the destination of duty-paid imports of beer.

§ Sir John Cope
Duty-paid beer in quantities below the indicative limits may be imported freely by private travellers for their own use. The distribution can be anywhere throughout the United Kingdom. Customs have no means of knowing the final destination of such travellers and have therefore made no estimate of their regional distribution.

§ Mr. Couchman
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what evidence he has of the involvement of individuals with a criminal record, and of organised criminal groups, in the illegal importing and resale of duty-paid beer brought into the United Kingdom ostensibly for personal use.

§ Sir John Cope
Although there is evidence of petty criminals engaging in this illegal activity, there is no evidence of organised crime being involved.