Ferry crossing back to the UK or drive?
Sep 13th 2010, 10:06 am
#61
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Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 3,171
Re: Ferry crossing back to the UK or drive?
It wont go on the inspectors record at all. HMRC have no obligation to put your vehicle back together again.
Sometimes on tip off, but something must have sparked their curiosity on this occasion. Not helped by telling an officer that it was none of their business.
Yes. Yes they can. They have no legal obligation to put your car together again. And if they do find something then they have every right in fact to seize your car from you
I used to be one long ago!
Sometimes on tip off, but something must have sparked their curiosity on this occasion. Not helped by telling an officer that it was none of their business.
Yes. Yes they can. They have no legal obligation to put your car together again. And if they do find something then they have every right in fact to seize your car from you
I used to be one long ago!
Sep 13th 2010, 4:30 pm
#62
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Aug 2007
Location: Los Martinez
Posts: 858
Re: Ferry crossing back to the UK or drive?
You don't have to have upset anyone. If the inspector takes a dislike to you, maybe because he never got his leg over with the wife the night before! He can take your vehcile apart on the pretext of a 'hunch'
It won't make hime feel any better, but it will make you as pissed off as him!
It won't make hime feel any better, but it will make you as pissed off as him!
Nov 1st 2010, 8:00 pm
#63
Just Joined
Joined: Oct 2010
Location: Kintyre Peninsula Scotland/Estepa Andalucia
Posts: 13
Re: Ferry crossing back to the UK or drive?
Vic Reeves does this. He told me that as well as little bags correctly labelled stuck to the roof of his caravanette he also carries a wind up accordian that plays the Marseillaise
http://www.marseillaise.org/audio/marseillaise.mid
and a stuffed parrot on his shoulder facing through the rear window.
He says it helps him get through the monotony of driving through France.
http://www.marseillaise.org/audio/marseillaise.mid
and a stuffed parrot on his shoulder facing through the rear window.
He says it helps him get through the monotony of driving through France.
Nov 2nd 2010, 5:05 pm
#64
Joined: May 2006
Location: Galicia
Posts: 3,141
Re: Ferry crossing back to the UK or drive?
I just thought I would let you know what happened to the OH when he got off the boat today in Portsmouth.
He was first off the ship and thought only 20mins drive and I will be at the MIL house. But customs had other ideas.
The MPV had tools (the reason for his trip was to do some work on my brother's house), 4 packs of tobacco and 6 bottles of beer, and a birthday cake for my mum's 70th birthday. They stripped the MPV of seats, everything that could have been removed from the MPV was taken out. Customs were adamant that the OH had something in the MPV that he should not have had.
They kept asking him how he earnt a living, and why did he keep going backwards and forwards from Spain to the UK. OK the OH did not help matters by tellling them that it was none of their business but in the end he told them he had retired - at which point they said he was too young to retire. As to going backwards and fowards from Spain the last time he went to the UK was in June 2009.
The OH was angry with the Customs, and Customs were angy that they did not find anything. One and half hours later they finally let him on his way.
I know that they have a job to do but it was ridiculous. And the most annoying thing was that they did not put the MPV back together.
He was first off the ship and thought only 20mins drive and I will be at the MIL house. But customs had other ideas.
The MPV had tools (the reason for his trip was to do some work on my brother's house), 4 packs of tobacco and 6 bottles of beer, and a birthday cake for my mum's 70th birthday. They stripped the MPV of seats, everything that could have been removed from the MPV was taken out. Customs were adamant that the OH had something in the MPV that he should not have had.
They kept asking him how he earnt a living, and why did he keep going backwards and forwards from Spain to the UK. OK the OH did not help matters by tellling them that it was none of their business but in the end he told them he had retired - at which point they said he was too young to retire. As to going backwards and fowards from Spain the last time he went to the UK was in June 2009.
The OH was angry with the Customs, and Customs were angy that they did not find anything. One and half hours later they finally let him on his way.
I know that they have a job to do but it was ridiculous. And the most annoying thing was that they did not put the MPV back together.
You have stated to us, on this forum, that your OH still pays NI in the U.K. as a self employed person.
and here you have said you went back to the U.K. at Christmas 2009.
telling them that you are retired is also a bit of a porkey as in your profile you have a link to your on-line shop.
Is not your car still U.K. registered too?
H.M. customs are not that naive as you think!
It wont go on the inspectors record at all. HMRC have no obligation to put your vehicle back together again.
Sometimes on tip off, but something must have sparked their curiosity on this occasion. Not helped by telling an officer that it was none of their business.
Yes. Yes they can. They have no legal obligation to put your car together again. And if they do find something then they have every right in fact to seize your car from you
I used to be one long ago!
Sometimes on tip off, but something must have sparked their curiosity on this occasion. Not helped by telling an officer that it was none of their business.
Yes. Yes they can. They have no legal obligation to put your car together again. And if they do find something then they have every right in fact to seize your car from you
I used to be one long ago!
Nov 2nd 2010, 5:30 pm
#65
Senior Moment
Joined: Jan 2006
Location: On the edge
Posts: 20,460
Re: Ferry crossing back to the UK or drive?
This goes opposite to the story our friend has got: He was stopped, at Dover and HM inspectors searched him and the car. During this search they wrecked the electrics so the car had to be towed to a garage to be fixed. It took 3 days for parts to arrive and the repair to be carried out. They paid for the repairs and the hotel bills. He did not mind except he had to stay in Dover.
I assume it was because they actually damaged the car. If they take the seats out, dismantle the boot etc etc, thats a different thing
Nov 2nd 2010, 7:12 pm
#66
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Joined: Dec 2006
Location: O'Vicedo, Galicia
Posts: 431
Re: Ferry crossing back to the UK or drive?
[QUOTE=Casa Santo Estevo;8957476]Maybe they can see he lied to them.You have stated to us, on this forum, that your OH still pays NI in the U.K. as a self employed person.
and here you have said you went back to the U.K. at Christmas 2009.
telling them that you are retired is also a bit of a porkey as in your profile you have a link to your on-line shop.
Is not your car still U.K. registered too?
H.M. customs are not that naive as you think!
So you are accusing my OH of taking illegal goods into the UK. He has never smoked anything, whether legal or not, does not drink alocohol at all, or does he have any porno mags. You have no right to accuse my OH of lying and I would be grateful if you would retract your comment.
Yes our car is still UK registered, even though we are breaking the law, in our defence the car is MOTd and taxed. My OH has retired - my FIL died about 18 months ago - and he has no need to work. The shop is mine and is something that I run to keep me occupied.
Remind me never to come and stay at your place - you sound just like a Victor Mildrew.
and here you have said you went back to the U.K. at Christmas 2009.
telling them that you are retired is also a bit of a porkey as in your profile you have a link to your on-line shop.
Is not your car still U.K. registered too?
H.M. customs are not that naive as you think!
So you are accusing my OH of taking illegal goods into the UK. He has never smoked anything, whether legal or not, does not drink alocohol at all, or does he have any porno mags. You have no right to accuse my OH of lying and I would be grateful if you would retract your comment.
Yes our car is still UK registered, even though we are breaking the law, in our defence the car is MOTd and taxed. My OH has retired - my FIL died about 18 months ago - and he has no need to work. The shop is mine and is something that I run to keep me occupied.
Remind me never to come and stay at your place - you sound just like a Victor Mildrew.
Nov 4th 2010, 9:17 am
#67
Joined: May 2006
Location: Galicia
Posts: 3,141
Re: Ferry crossing back to the UK or drive?
So you are accusing my OH of taking illegal goods into the UK. He has never smoked anything, whether legal or not, does not drink alocohol at all, or does he have any porno mags. You have no right to accuse my OH of lying and I would be grateful if you would retract your comment.
Yes our car is still UK registered, even though we are breaking the law, in our defence the car is MOTd and taxed. My OH has retired - my FIL died about 18 months ago - and he has no need to work. The shop is mine and is something that I run to keep me occupied.
Remind me never to come and stay at your place - you sound just like a Victor Mildrew.
Yes our car is still UK registered, even though we are breaking the law, in our defence the car is MOTd and taxed. My OH has retired - my FIL died about 18 months ago - and he has no need to work. The shop is mine and is something that I run to keep me occupied.
Remind me never to come and stay at your place - you sound just like a Victor Mildrew.
I have never said anything about anyone smuggling. Your postings just do not add up. In your posting on this thread you have said that the customs stopped your husband and suggested he was earning a living etc. I was putting forward the possible reasons why. I did point out that what you say on the internet is for everyone to see, including the police customs boarder controls etc.
Now you have admitted that your car is illegal here in Spain. BTW I don’t see how your car has an MOT if you last visited the U.K. back in 2009
This internet thing is not so private as you think.
Nov 4th 2010, 9:19 am
#68
Joined: May 2006
Location: Galicia
Posts: 3,141
Re: Ferry crossing back to the UK or drive?
Well, I cant explain it. I was a Customs officer a while back, and the other half worked until relatively recently in the HMRC Investigation division. Thats where our info comes from I assume it was because they actually damaged the car. If they take the seats out, dismantle the boot etc etc, thats a different thing
I assume it was because they actually damaged the car. If they take the seats out, dismantle the boot etc etc, thats a different thingBTW he hated Dover as he really wanted to be where he was heading for; the Welsh countryside.
Nov 4th 2010, 4:59 pm
#69
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Joined: Dec 2006
Location: O'Vicedo, Galicia
Posts: 431
Re: Ferry crossing back to the UK or drive?
I have never said anything about anyone smuggling. Your postings just do not add up. In your posting on this thread you have said that the customs stopped your husband and suggested he was earning a living etc. I was putting forward the possible reasons why. I did point out that what you say on the internet is for everyone to see, including the police customs boarder controls etc.
Now you have admitted that your car is illegal here in Spain. BTW I don’t see how your car has an MOT if you last visited the U.K. back in 2009
This internet thing is not so private as you think.
Now you have admitted that your car is illegal here in Spain. BTW I don’t see how your car has an MOT if you last visited the U.K. back in 2009
This internet thing is not so private as you think.
Nov 7th 2010, 4:39 pm
#70
Forum Regular
Joined: Oct 2010
Location: Costa Blanca, Spain
Posts: 32
Re: Ferry crossing back to the UK or drive?
Remember that food is NOT included in the so called cruise! And they apply English prices plus loading!
We are moving back to the UK...in three weeks.
I have looked into getting the ferry back...
It´s going to cost about 500 pounds Santander to Portsmouth or 439 pounds Bilbao to Portsmouth.
Which is better for young kids and smoothier in case of sickness?.
Or alternatively we could drive home...about 16 hours to drive.
Cost to drive I would imagine is about the same? We could share and cover over two days I think. We have driven from the North to the South of Spain a few times and it took 13 hrs which we did in one day. Tough but do-able.
Which would you recommend?
Any advice appreciated.
I have looked into getting the ferry back...
It´s going to cost about 500 pounds Santander to Portsmouth or 439 pounds Bilbao to Portsmouth.
Which is better for young kids and smoothier in case of sickness?.
Or alternatively we could drive home...about 16 hours to drive.
Cost to drive I would imagine is about the same? We could share and cover over two days I think. We have driven from the North to the South of Spain a few times and it took 13 hrs which we did in one day. Tough but do-able.
Which would you recommend?
Any advice appreciated.
Nov 8th 2010, 6:04 am
#71
¿Dónde estoy?
Joined: Jun 2004
Location: my paradise - Jávea
Posts: 13,330
Re: Ferry crossing back to the UK or drive?
always a good idea to check the original posting date before replying
Nov 11th 2010, 4:52 pm
#72
Forum Regular
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 32
UK Customs Powers
Some people on this thread do not seem to realize Inland Revenue/Customs have even more power than the Police.
Incidentally this dates back to the time when their powers were granted by the Monarch. He had his own security force to protect himself, the Police were only there to protect the Public. So he considered the Tax Collectors more important because they were his source of income.
Incidentally this dates back to the time when their powers were granted by the Monarch. He had his own security force to protect himself, the Police were only there to protect the Public. So he considered the Tax Collectors more important because they were his source of income.
Nov 11th 2010, 5:37 pm
#73
Forum Regular
Joined: Oct 2010
Location: Costa Blanca, Spain
Posts: 32
Re: UK Customs Powers
Some people on this thread do not seem to realize Inland Revenue/Customs have even more power than the Police.
Incidentally this dates back to the time when their powers were granted by the Monarch. He had his own security force to protect himself, the Police were only there to protect the Public. So he considered the Tax Collectors more important because they were his source of income.
Incidentally this dates back to the time when their powers were granted by the Monarch. He had his own security force to protect himself, the Police were only there to protect the Public. So he considered the Tax Collectors more important because they were his source of income.
Nov 11th 2010, 5:59 pm
#74
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Mar 2009
Location: Valencia
Posts: 1,164
Re: UK Customs Powers
But this does reflect the erosion of liberties that is increasing becoming a charactaristic of England today. The abuse of passengers at airports is just another example of the abuse and fundamental contempt that the authorities increasingly have for the ordinary public!
What abuse?
Nov 11th 2010, 6:37 pm
#75
Forum Regular
Joined: Oct 2010
Location: Costa Blanca, Spain
Posts: 32
Re: UK Customs Powers
I have been to England very occasionally. Last time on checking in on departure I leaned forward and cupped my ear as I have a hearing problem especially in noisy environments. The official accused me of abuse and threatening behaviour and was about to call the security police when my wife intervened and explained my hearing difficulty. There was another occasion when I was arbitarily threatened with arrest simply because I was wearing a bum bag which was to be counted as hand baggage and I disputed this! Thankfully we do not get that kind of treatment in Spain. England has indeed changed! Thank God I'll never see England again!