Ask for your things back

You can ask for your things back (make a ‘restoration request’) even if you agree customs was right to take them. If you think you should get your things back because you did not break the rules (for example, you brought in alcohol for your own use) you must ask for a court hearing instead of making a restoration request. If your request is accepted, you can get your things back but you may have to pay a fee and any duty you owe. You may be offered compensation if your things have already been destroyed or sold. Making a request Follow the example letter or write your own. You must explain why you think you should get your things back, for example you can now provide missing import or export documents. You must include: the seizure reference number on the notice you got from customs your name and address a list of the things you want back - include details, for example quantities and brands proof of ownership - for a vehicle, this must be proof of purchase, for example a receipt anything else that supports your request to get your things back, for example import documents Notice 12A gives detailed guidance about making a restoration request and getting compensation. Where to send it Send your request to Border Force if it seized your things. National post seizure unit Border Force 3rd Floor West Point Ebrington Street Plymouth PL4 9LT If HM Revenue and Customs ( HMRC ) seized your things, send your request to the address on the notice or letter you got from customs. Check the notice or letter you got from customs if you do not know who seized your things. Contact HMRC if you need a copy of the notice. Deadline There’s no deadline for making a restoration request. But your things will usually be destroyed or sold: straight away if they’re perishable, for example food, beer or tobacco 45 days after they’re seized if they’re not perishable, for example spirits and cars If you send a restoration request, non-perishable things are usually kept until your request is considered. Getting legal help You can appoint someone to deal with your request for you, for example a solicitor. Send an agent authority form with your request. If you’re unhappy with the response You can ask for the response to your request to be reviewed if: you do not get your things back or get compensation you disagree with the fee for getting your things back The letter telling you the response will also tell you how to ask for a review. If you disagree with the review You can appeal to the tax tribunal if you disagree with the outcome of the review.

Ask for a court hearing

Send a ‘notice of claim’ if you think it was illegal for customs to seize your things, for example you brought in alcohol or tobacco for your personal use. A seizure is legal if you break the rules on bringing or receiving things from abroad. You’ll have to go to court - if you win your claim, you’ll get your things back. If they’ve already been disposed of, you can ask for compensation. You may have to pay court costs if you do not win your claim. Sending a notice of claim Follow the example notice of claim or write your own. You’ll need to include: the seizure reference number on the notice you got from customs your name and address a list of the things you think customs was wrong to seize - include details, for example quantities and brands proof of ownership if your vehicle was seized why you think it was illegal for customs to seize your things Notice 12A gives detailed guidance about making a claim and what happens in a court hearing. If Border Force seized your things Send your notice of claim to Border Force’s post seizure unit. National post seizure unit Border Force 3rd Floor West Point Ebrington Street Plymouth PL4 9LT If HM Revenue and Customs ( HMRC ) seized your things For excise goods such as alcohol, tobacco and fuel, send your notice of claim to: Solicitor’s Office and Legal Services HM Revenue and Customs Cotton House 7 Cochrane Street Glasgow G1 1GY For all other goods send your notice of claim to: Solicitor’s Office and Legal Services HM Revenue and Customs Customs Reviews and Litigation BX9 1ZT Check the notice or letter you got from customs if you do not know who seized your things. Contact HMRC if you need a copy of the notice. Deadline Your notice of claim must be received by HMRC or Border Force within a month of your things being seized. Your things are usually kept until your claim is decided, unless they’re perishable, for example they’re food. Get legal help You can appoint someone (for example, a solicitor) to deal with your claim and represent you in court. Send an agent authority form with your notice of claim. If you live outside the UK You must appoint a UK solicitor to handle your claim and represent you in court. Send an agent authority form giving the solicitor’s details with your notice of claim.

Options when customs seizes your things

Overview

Customs will destroy or sell anything it seizes from you for breaking the rules on bringing or receiving goods from abroad, unless you:

ask for your things back - you can do this even if you agree customs was right to seize them
think customs was wrong to seize your things - you’ll have to go to court

This applies to:

goods, cars and other vehicles you bring into the UK
any vehicle you use to transport your things
packages in the post

Collecting things from a seized vehicle

You have 45 days to collect anything you left in your vehicle if it’s been seized. Send a letter marked ‘personal property’ to the address on the notice or letter you got from customs.

If your things or cash are seized as criminal evidence

Customs officers can also seize goods, vehicles and cash you bring into the UK if they suspect a crime. They’ll explain what happens next and what you can do.

Complain about how you were treated

You can complain about how customs officers treated you during a customs seizure. Complain to Border Force or HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC), depending on who seized your things.

Check the notice or letter you got from customs if you do not know who seized your things.

Contact HMRC if you have questions about customs.

View a printable version of the whole guide

Options when customs seizes your things

Overview

Collecting things from a seized vehicle

If your things or cash are seized as criminal evidence

Complain about how you were treated

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Options when customs seizes your things

Overview

Collecting things from a seized vehicle

If your things or cash are seized as criminal evidence

Complain about how you were treated

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