Customs and Excise Management Act 1979

31 Control of movement of goods to and from inland clearance depot, etc. U.K.

(1) The Commissioners may by regulations impose conditions and restrictions as respects—

(a) the movement of imported goods between the place of importation and a place approved by the Commissioners for [F1 the discharge of a Customs procedure in respect of] such goods [F2 , a free zone][F3 or a place of exportation of such goods]; and

[F4 (aa) the movement of goods between—

(i) a free zone and a place approved by the Commissioners for [F5 the discharge of a Customs procedure in respect of] such goods,

(ii) such a place and a free zone, and

(iii) a free zone and another free zone;]

(b) the movement of goods intended for export between a place approved by the Commissioners for the examination of such goods F6 ... and the place of exportation.

(2) Regulations under subsection (1) above may in particular—

(a) require the goods to be moved within such period and by such route as may be specified by or under the regulations;

(b) require the goods to be carried in a vehicle or container complying with such requirements and secured in such manner as may be so specified;

(c) prohibit, except in such circumstances as may be so specified, any unloading or loading of the vehicle or container or any interference with its security.

[F7 (2A) Any documents required to be made or produced as a result of regulations made under subsection (1) above shall be made or produced in such form and manner and contain such particulars as the Commissioners may direct; but the Commissioners may relax any requirement imposed under the regulations that any specific document be made or produced and if they do so may impose substituted requirements.]

(3) If any person contravenes or fails to comply with any regulation under subsection (1) above or any requirement imposed by or under any such regulation [F8 or a direction made under subsection (2A) above or any requirement imposed under that subsection], that person and the person then in charge of the goods shall each be liable on summary conviction to a penalty of [F9 level 4 on the standard scale] and any goods in respect of which the offence was committed shall be liable to forfeiture.

Textual Amendments

F1 Words in s. 31(1)(a) substituted (13.9.2018 for specified purposes, 31.12.2020 in so far as not already in force) by Taxation (Cross-border Trade) Act 2018 (c. 22), s. 57(1)(a), Sch. 7 para. 23(a) (with savings and transitional provisions in S.I. 2020/1449, reg. 3 and 2020 c. 26, Sch. 2 para. 7(7)-(9)); S.I. 2020/1642, reg. 4(a)

F2 Words inserted by Finance Act 1984 (c. 43, SIF 40:1), s. 8, Sch. 4 Pt. II para. 2(a)

F3 Words inserted by Finance Act 1981 (c. 35, SIF 40:1), s. 10(2)(4), Sch. 7 Pt. II para. 1(2)(a) (by s. 10(4) it is provided that s. 10(2) does not affect the operation of the 1979 Act in relation to goods exported before 1.10.1981)

F4 S. 31(1)(aa) inserted by Finance Act 1984 (c. 43, SIF 40:1), s. 8, Sch. 4 Pt. II para. 2(b)

F5 Words in s. 31(1)(aa)(i) substituted (13.9.2018 for specified purposes, 31.12.2020 in so far as not already in force) by Taxation (Cross-border Trade) Act 2018 (c. 22), s. 57(1)(a), Sch. 7 para. 23(a) (with savings and transitional provisions in S.I. 2020/1449, reg. 3 and 2020 c. 26, Sch. 2 para. 7(7)-(9)); S.I. 2020/1642, reg. 4(a)

F6 Words in s. 31(1)(b) omitted (13.9.2018 for specified purposes, 31.12.2020 in so far as not already in force) by virtue of Taxation (Cross-border Trade) Act 2018 (c. 22), s. 57(1)(a), Sch. 7 para. 23(b) (with savings and transitional provisions in S.I. 2020/1449, reg. 3 and 2020 c. 26, Sch. 2 para. 7(7)-(9)); S.I. 2020/1642, reg. 4(a)

F7 S. 31(2A) inserted by Finance Act 1981 (c. 35, SIF 40:1), s. 10(2)(4), Sch. 7 Pt. II para. 1(3) (by s. 10(4) it is provided that s. 10(2) does not affect the operation of the 1979 Act in relation to goods exported before 1.10.1981)

F8 Words inserted by Finance Act 1981 (c. 35, SIF 40:1), s. 10(2)(4), Sch. 7 Pt. II para. 1(4) (by s. 10(4) it is provided that s. 10(2) does not affect the operation of the 1979 Act in relation to goods exported before 1.10.1981)

F9 Words substituted by virtue of (E.W.) Criminal Justice Act 1982 (c. 48, SIF 39:1), s. 46 and (S.) Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1975 (c. 21, SIF 39:1), s. 289G (as inserted by Criminal Justice Act 1982 (c. 48, SIF 39:1), s. 54) and (N.I.) by S.I. 1984/703, (N.I. 3) art. 5