34
votes
Accepted
What will happen if one is caught smuggling something that is not illegal?
It should be pointed out that smuggling doesn't just involve illegal goods but also includes legal goods that are brought in without following proper procedures such as paying required duties.
https://...
- 861
32
votes
Accepted
Answering "Do you have anything to declare?" to customs in the absence of any explanation of the question
The answer has two parts depending on how you get here. Airline answer: Any such question by a CBP officer is merely a last-chance option to supplement the response you gave on the declaration form. ...
- 217k
21
votes
What will happen if one is caught smuggling something that is not illegal?
england-and-wales
In this instance you can consider this your lucky day. No drugs were found on you and hence your defence is airtight, even if that can no long be said about you after your cavity ...
- 4,254
15
votes
What will happen if one is caught smuggling something that is not illegal?
A right of "citizenship" is that your own border guards can't refuse you entry. The corollary is: "Anyone else, they can refuse".
If you pulled shenanigans like that, aside from ...
11
votes
Accepted
How common are import bans of what is freely traded on national markets?
The import of slaves into the United States was banned in 1808, although slavery itself and the buying and selling of slaves remained legal on a Federal level until 1865.
There were, of course, many ...
- 3,853
11
votes
What will happen if one is caught smuggling something that is not illegal?
Even though you probably ultimately wouldn't be convicted of smuggling an illegal substance, I can imagine a number of unpleasant things happening to you. This is not an exhaustive list, but off the ...
- 1,510
10
votes
Answering "Do you have anything to declare?" to customs in the absence of any explanation of the question
it sounds like ignorance of the law could be a reasonable defense. Is it?
No.
I believe that is fundamental to many systems of law.
- 1,102
5
votes
What will happen if one is caught smuggling something that is not illegal?
poland
Article 24 of Polish Criminal Code says that provocation is illegal*, if you are trying to provoke someone to commit a crime. So, if you would try to ask border guard to turn a blind eye on ...
- 176
4
votes
(How) Can I easily export produce from Serbia to Sweden via Hungary?
Serbia is not in the EU nor internal market, so when importing products you would have to follow specific product requirements, pay eventual import duties and internal taxes (VAT).
I would recommend ...
- 141
4
votes
Import Tax - "made in China" versus "made in Taiwan"
In term of international trade practice , "Taiwan" is technically the "Separate Customs Territory of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu (Chinese Taipei)" based on the entry agreement of World Trade ...
- 41
4
votes
Accepted
Liabilities of countries as members of the Universal Postal Union
As for a member of the Universal Postal Union, what repercussions will occur for country B?
None.
Are they allowed to keep stealing stuff at the sender insurer's expense?
Well, country B isn't ...
- 227k
4
votes
What will happen if one is caught smuggling something that is not illegal?
Many contraband items are not illegal to posses. You cannot import meat from Brazil to the UK because the UK only allows meat imports from rabies free countries. Not because steak is illegal. You are ...
- 5,515
4
votes
Confusion about USA export regulations regarding electronics
It is hard to know with certainty why this distinction was made in this case.
There is a fair amount of gamesmanship that goes into having a device classified as an administrative matter in dealings ...
- 240k
4
votes
Must an Incoming Passenger Card/Arrival card be done as a citizen
No, you can pay the fine instead
MIGRATION REGULATIONS 1994 - REG 3.08
Offence--failure to complete a passenger card
(1) A person who is required by these Regulations to complete a passenger card ...
- 227k
3
votes
How common are import bans of what is freely traded on national markets?
This is not as uncommon as you might think, but will probably depend highly on the locality.
Neighboring countries may have different standards or weapons laws.
On the German / Polish border, certain ...
- 5,736
3
votes
Accepted
Does the receiver need to report invalid customs declaration on international shipment
Swiss customs has a form to submit questions like this and they gave me a very informative answer. As it turns out the receiver is also part of the customs process. If for some reason customs decides ...
- 865
3
votes
Can I be prosecuted for smuggling as long as I honestly declare everything I'm bringing?
You don't get do-overs at the border
The instant they catch you, they can charge you with absolutely anything that applies. They apply the laws which apply in their country.
It's easy to forget ...
3
votes
Can I be prosecuted for smuggling as long as I honestly declare everything I'm bringing?
If I attempt to carry such a product into the country, but then honestly declare it at the border (I would like to declare 10 kg of marijuana, sir), can I be prosecuted for attempted smuggling?
This ...
- 40.1k
3
votes
Is it legel to sell used bikes online as a business?
There is nothing illegal about selling used bikes online.
Importing goods is subject to legal regulation such as customs duties. These goods might even be subject to punitive steel and aluminum ...
- 240k
3
votes
In UK legislation, what does "reasonable grounds to suspect" mean?
The concept of reasonable suspicion is used throughout the common law world. While the Wikipedia article (at present) focuses on the term as used in the ‘stop and search’ context of Terry v. Ohio, a ...
- 9,356
2
votes
In UK legislation, what does "reasonable grounds to suspect" mean?
When the legislature uses the word “reasonable” they are instructing the court to apply the reasonable person test.
For this law, the”reasonable person” is a trained customs officer, neither a ...
- 227k
2
votes
Can I claim if Customs open & damage my parcel even though contents clearly labelled & nothing was found
You may be entitled to compensation according to HMRC. The page gives addresses to send complaints to.
- 217k
2
votes
Legality of importation of Insulin from Mexico
Importation of drugs is not per se illegal, but in specific cases could be. 21 USC 331(d) prohibits "the introduction or delivery for introduction into interstate commerce of any article in violation ...
- 217k
2
votes
How common are import bans of what is freely traded on national markets?
A current ban, though one I know little about, is China's waste import ban. It is apparently a total ban on the import of the listed wastes. I have to imagine that domestic trade is still free, as ...
- 123
2
votes
Do I need to pay duties when bringing items into country for storage?
You would be importing them to Canada when they crossed the border, and importing them to the U.S. when they crossed back. If there are duties on those goods, you would pay two iterations of customs ...
- 240k
2
votes
Answering "Do you have anything to declare?" to customs in the absence of any explanation of the question
I would slightly amend some of the other answers here: ignorance of the law is not a defense, but it can be a mitigating factor in sentencing. If you intended to follow the law but were unaware of ...
- 1,147
2
votes
Accepted
Is there a way to avoid double-VAT when delivering from UK to Ireland?
From 1 January 2021, goods sent from Great Britain to the EU are treated as exports, which are subject to 0% VAT:
VAT is a tax levied on goods and services consumed in the UK. When goods are exported ...
- 9,356
2
votes
Must an Incoming Passenger Card/Arrival card be done as a citizen
united-states
The form is obligatory – 19 CFR 122.27, 19 CFR Part 148. If you bring in anything that must be declared (even an amount that is free of import duties), it can be confiscated for a civil ...
- 217k
1
vote
Accepted
Are parcel forwarders to other countries legal?
Yes they are legal
Brokers who carry or forward freight to other countries are very common. This is an example of that. This is done not just in the US but across the globe. These companies might ...
- 7,699
Only top scored, non community-wiki answers of a minimum length are eligible