Penalties
4.—(1) In section 50 of the Customs and Excise Management Act 1979 (Penalty for improper importation of goods)–
(a)in subsection (4)() for the words “5 or (5A)” there shall be substituted the words “(5), (5A) or (5B)”, and
(b)after subsection (5A)() there shall be inserted the following subsection–
“(5B) In the case of an offence under subsection (2) or (3) above in connection with the prohibition contained in regulation 2 of the Import of Seal Skins Regulations 1996, subsection (4) above shall have effect as if–
(a)for paragraph (a) there were substituted the following–
“(a)on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three months, or to both”; and
(b)in paragraph (b) for the words “7 years” there were substituted the words “2 years”.”.
(2) In section 170 of the Customs and Excise Management Act 1979 (Penalty for fraudulent evasion of duty, etc.)–
(a)in subsection (3)() for the words “4 or (4A)” there shall be substituted the words “(4), (4A) or (4B)”, and
(b)after subsection (4A)() there shall be inserted the following subsection–
“(4B) In the case of an offence under subsection (1) or (2) above in connection with the prohibition contained in regulation 2 of the Import of Seal Skins Regulations 1996, subsection (3) above shall have effect as if–
(a)for paragraph (a) there were substituted the following–
“(a)on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three months, or to both”; and
(b)in paragraph (b) for the words “7 years” there were substituted the words “2 years”.”.