Customs and Excise Management Act 1979

General offences U.K.

167 Untrue declarations, etc. U.K.

(1) If any person either knowingly or recklessly—

(a) makes or signs, or causes to be made or signed, or delivers or causes to be delivered to the Commissioners or an officer, any declaration, notice, certificate or other document whatsoever; or

(b) makes any statement in answer to any question put to him by an officer which he is required by or under any enactment to answer,

being a document or statement produced or made for any purpose of any assigned matter, which is untrue in any material particular, he shall be guilty of an offence under this subsection and may be detained; and any goods in relation to which the document or statement was made shall be liable to forfeiture.

(2) Without prejudice to subsection (4) below, a person who commits an offence under subsection (1) above shall be liable—

(a) on summary conviction, to a penalty of [F1 the prescribed sum][F1 £20,000], or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months, or to both; or

(b) on conviction on indictment, to a penalty of any amount, or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 2 years, or to both.

(3) If any person—

(a) makes or signs, or causes to be made or signed, or delivers or causes to be delivered to the Commissioners or an officer, any declaration, notice, certificate or other document whatsoever; or

(b) makes any statement in answer to any question put to him by an officer which he is required by or under any enactment to answer.

being a document or statement produced or made for any purpose of any assigned matter, which is untrue in any material particular, then, without prejudice to subsection (4) below, he shall be liable on summary conviction to a penalty of [F2 level 4 on the standard scale].

(4) Where by reason of any such document or statement as is mentioned in subsection (1) or (3) above the full amount of any duty payable is not paid or any overpayment is made in respect of any drawback, allowance, rebate or repayment of duty, the amount of the duty unpaid or of the overpayment shall be recoverable as a debt due to the Crown or may be summarily recovered as a civil debt.

[F3 (5) An amount of excise duty, or the amount of an overpayment in respect of any drawback, allowance, rebate or repayment of any excise duty, shall not be recoverable as mentioned in subsection (4) above unless the Commissioners have assessed the amount of the duty or of the overpayment as being excise duty due from the person mentioned in subsection (1) or (3) above and notified him or his representative accordingly.]

Textual Amendments

F1 S. 167(2)(a): sum substituted for words (E.W.) (12.3.2015) by The Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 (Fines on Summary Conviction) Regulations 2015 (S.I. 2015/664), reg. 1(1), Sch. 2 para. 1(19) (with reg. 5(1))

F2 Words substituted by virtue of (E.W.) Criminal Justice Act 1982 (c. 48, SIF 39:1), ss. 38, 46 and (S.) Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1975 (c. 21, SIF 39:1), ss. 289F, 289G and (N.I.) by S.I. 1984/703, (N.I. 3) arts. 5, 6

F3 S. 167(5) inserted (1.6.1997) by 1997 c. 16, s. 50(2), Sch. 6 para. 5; S.I. 1997/1305, art. 2

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C1 S. 167 excluded (E.W.S.) by Film Levy Finance Act 1981 (c. 16, SIF 45A), s. 7(5)

C2 S. 167 amended by Finance Act 1985 (c. 54, SIF 40:1), s. 10(6)(c)

C3 S. 167 restricted (1.6.1997) by 1994 c. 9, ss. 12A, 12B (as inserted by 1997 c. 16, s. 50(2), Sch. 6 para. 1(1)); S.I. 1997/1305, art. 2

C4 S. 167 excluded (18.4.2005) by Commissioners for Revenue and Customs Act 2005 (c. 11), s. 53(1), Sch. 2 para. 6; S.I. 2005/1126, art. 2(2)(d)

C5 s. 167(2)(a) modified (1.12.1992) by S.I. 1992/2790, reg. 12.

168 Counterfeiting documents, etc. U.K.

(1) If any person—

(a) counterfeits or falsifies any document which is required by or under any enactment relating to an assigned matter or which is used in the transaction of any business relating to an assigned matter; or

(b) knowingly accepts, receives or uses any such document so counterfeited or falsified; or

(c) alters any such document after it is officially issued; or

(d) counterfeits any seal, signature, initials or other mark of, or used by, any officer for the verification of such a document or for the security of goods or for any other purpose relating to an assigned matter,

he shall be guilty of an offence under this section and may be detained.

(2) A person guilty of an offence under this section shall be liable—

(a) on summary conviction, to a penalty of [F4 the prescribed sum][F4 £20,000], or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months, or to both; or

(b) on conviction on indictment, to a penalty of any amount, or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 2 years, or to both.

Textual Amendments

F4 S. 168(2)(a): sum substituted for words (E.W.) (12.3.2015) by The Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 (Fines on Summary Conviction) Regulations 2015 (S.I. 2015/664), reg. 1(1), Sch. 2 para. 1(20) (with reg. 5(1))

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C6 S. 168 amended by Finance Act 1985 (c. 54, SIF 40:1), s. 10(6)(d)

C7 S. 168 excluded (18.4.2005) by Commissioners for Revenue and Customs Act 2005 (c. 11), s. 53(1), Sch. 2 para. 6; S.I. 2005/1126, art. 2(2)(d)

C8 S. 168(2)(a) modified (1.12.1992) by S.I. 1992/2790, reg.12.

F5 169 False scales, etc. U.K.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F5 S. 169 repealed (18.4.2005) by Commissioners for Revenue and Customs Act 2005 (c. 11), ss. 52(1)(a)(viii), 53(1), Sch. 5; S.I. 2005/1126, art. 2(2)(i)

170 Penalty for fraudulent evasion of duty, etc. U.K.

(1) Without prejudice to any other provision of the Customs and Excise Acts 1979, if any person—

(a) knowingly acquires possession of any of the following goods, that is to say—

(i) goods which have been unlawfully removed from a warehouse or Queen’s warehouse;

(ii) goods which are chargeable with a duty which has not been paid;

(iii) goods with respect to the importation or exportation of which any prohibition or restriction is for the time being in force under or by virtue of any enactment; or

(b) is in any way knowingly concerned in carrying, removing, depositing, harbouring, keeping or concealing or in any manner dealing with any such goods,

and does so with intent to defraud Her Majesty of any duty payable on the goods or to evade any such prohibition or restriction with respect to the goods he shall be guilty of an offence under this section and may be detained.

(2) Without prejudice to any other provision of the Customs and Excise Acts 1979, if any person is, in relation to any goods, in any way knowingly concerned in any fraudulent evasion or attempt at evasion—

(a) of any duty chargeable on the goods;

(b) of any prohibition or restriction for the time being in force with respect to the goods under or by virtue of any enactment; or

(c) of any provision of the Customs and Excise Acts 1979[F6 , or Part 1 or section 40A or 40B of the Taxation (Cross-border Trade) Act 2018,] applicable to the goods,

he shall be guilty of an offence under this section and may be detained.

(3) Subject to subsection [F7 (4), (4A) [F8 or (4B)]] below, a person guilty of an offence under this section shall be liable—

(a) on summary conviction, to a penalty of [F9 the prescribed sum] [F9 £20,000] or of three times the value of the goods, whichever is the greater, or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months, or to both; or

(b) on conviction on indictment, to a penalty of any amount, or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding [F10 [F11 14] years], or to both.

(4) In the case of an offence under this section in connection with prohibition or restriction on importation or exportation having effect by virtue of section 3 of the M1 Misuse of Drugs Act 1971, subsection (3) above shall have effect subject to the modifications specified in Schedule 1 to this Act.

[F12 (4A) In the case of—

(a) an offence under [F13 subsection (1) or (2)] above committed in Great Britain in connection with a prohibition or restriction on the importation or exportation of any weapon or ammunition that is of a kind mentioned in section 5(1)(a), (ab), (aba), (ac), (ad), (ae), (af) [F14 , (ag), (ba)] or (c) or (1A)(a) of the Firearms Act 1968, [F15 or]

(b) any such offence committed in Northern Ireland in connection with a prohibition or restriction on the importation or exportation of any weapon or ammunition that is of a kind mentioned in [F16 Article 6(1)(a), (ab), (ac), (ad), (ae) or (c) or (1A)(a)] [F16 Article 45(1)(a), [F17 , (aa)] (b), (c), (d), (e)[F18 , (ea), (fa)] or (g) or (2)(a)] of the Firearms (Northern Ireland) Order [F19 2004], F20 ...

F20 (c) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

subsection (3)(b) above shall have effect [F21 as if for the words “imprisonment for a term not exceeding [F22 14] years” there were substituted the words “ imprisonment for life ”].]

F23 (4AA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

[F24 (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 [F25 the statutory maximum] [F25 £20,000] or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three months, or to both”

and

(b) in paragraph (b) for the words “[F26 14] years” there were substituted the words “2 years”.]

F27 (4C) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(5) In any case where a person would, apart from this subsection, be guilty of—

(a) an offence under this section in connection with a prohibition or restriction; and

(b) a corresponding offence under the enactment or other instrument imposing the prohibition or restriction, being an offence for which a fine or other penalty is expressly provided by that enactment or other instrument,

(b)a corresponding offence under the enactment or other instrument imposing the prohibition or restriction, being an offence for which a fine or other penalty is expressly provided by that enactment or other instrument, he shall not be guilty of the offence mentioned in paragraph (a) of this subsection.

[F28 (6) Where any person is guilty of an offence under this section, the goods in respect of which the offence was committed shall be liable to forfeiture.]

Textual Amendments

F6 Words in s. 170(2)(c) inserted (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. 114 (as amended by Taxation (Post-transition Period) Act 2020 (c. 26), s. 11(1)(e), Sch. 1 para. 10(2) (with Sch. 2 para. 7(7)-(9)); S.I. 2020/1642, reg. 9) (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. 170(3): words substituted (15.11.1996) by S.I. 1996/2686, reg. 4(2)(a)

F8 Words in s. 170(3) substituted (22.2.2024) by Finance Act 2024 (c. 3), s. 32(5)(a) (with s. 32(6))

F9 S. 170(3)(a): sum substituted for words (E.W.) (12.3.2015) by The Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 (Fines on Summary Conviction) Regulations 2015 (S.I. 2015/664), reg. 1(1), Sch. 2 para. 1(21)(a) (with reg. 5(1))

F10 Words substituted by Finance Act 1988 (c. 39, SIF 40:1), s. 12(1)(a)(6)

F11 Word in s. 170(3)(b) substituted (22.2.2024) by Finance Act 2024 (c. 3), s. 32(1) (with s. 32(6))

F12 S. 170(4A) substituted (22.1.2004) by Criminal Justice Act 2003 (c. 44), ss. 293(4), 336(3), (4) (with s. 293(5)); S.I. 2004/81, art. 3(1)(2)(b)

F13 Words in s. 170(4A)(a) substituted (14.7.2014) by Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 (c. 12), ss. 111(4)(a), 185(1) (with ss. 21, 33, 42, 58, 75, 93); S.I. 2014/949, art. 6(d)

F14 Words in s. 170(4A)(a) inserted (14.7.2021) by Offensive Weapons Act 2019 (c. 17), s. 70(1), Sch. 2 para. 4(a) (with Sch. 2 para. 5); S.I. 2021/819, reg. 2(i)

F15 Word in s. 170(4A)(a) inserted (14.7.2014) by Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 (c. 12), ss. 111(5)(b), 185(1) (with ss. 21, 33, 42, 58, 75, 93); S.I. 2014/949, art. 6(d)

F16 Words in s. 170(4A)(b) substituted (N.I.) (1.2.2005) by The Firearms (Northern Ireland) Order 2004 (S.I. 2004/702), art. 1(3), Sch. 7 para. 5 (with art. 81); S.R. 2005/4, art. 3 (with arts. 4-7)

F17 Word in s. 170(4A)(b) inserted (N.I.) (20.9.2005) by The Firearms (Amendment) (Northern Ireland) Order 2005 (S.I. 2005/1966), arts. 1(2), 3(4)(c)

F18 Words in s. 170(4A)(b) inserted (14.7.2021) by Offensive Weapons Act 2019 (c. 17), s. 70(1), Sch. 2 para. 4(b) (with Sch. 2 para. 6); S.I. 2021/819, reg. 2(i)

F19 Word in s. 170(4A)(b) substituted (N.I.) (1.2.2005) by The Firearms (Northern Ireland) Order 2004 (S.I. 2004/702), art. 1(3), Sch. 7 para. 5 (with art. 81); S.R. 2005/4, art. 3 (with arts. 4-7)

F20 S. 170(4A)(c) and word omitted (14.7.2014) by virtue of Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 (c. 12), ss. 111(5)(c), 185(1) (with ss. 21, 33, 42, 58, 75, 93); S.I. 2014/949, art. 6(d)

F21 Words in s. 170(4A) substituted (14.7.2014) by Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 (c. 12), ss. 111(4)(b), 185(1) (with ss. 21, 33, 42, 58, 75, 93); S.I. 2014/949, art. 6(d)

F22 Word in s. 170(4A) substituted (22.2.2024) by Finance Act 2024 (c. 3), s. 32(5)(b) (with s. 32(6))

F23 S. 170(4AA) omitted (22.2.2024) by virtue of Finance Act 2024 (c. 3), s. 32(5)(c) (with s. 32(6))

F24 S. 170(4B) inserted (15.11.1996) by The Import of Seal Skins Regulations 1996 (S.I. 1996/2686), regs. 4(2)(b)

F25 Words in s. 170(4B)(a) substituted (E.W.) (12.3.2015) by The Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 (Fines on Summary Conviction) Regulations 2015 (S.I. 2015/664), reg. 1(1), Sch. 2 para. 1(21)(b) (with reg. 5(1))

F26 Word in s. 170(4B)(b) substituted (22.2.2024) by Finance Act 2024 (c. 3), s. 32(5)(d) (with s. 32(6))

F27 S. 170(4C) omitted (22.2.2024) by virtue of Finance Act 2024 (c. 3), s. 32(5)(e) (with s. 32(6))

F28 S. 170(6) inserted (9.12.1992) by Finance (No. 2) Act 1992 (c. 48), s. 3(1), Sch. 2 para. 7; S.I. 1992/3104, art. 2(1).

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C9 S. 170 applied (15.2.2008) by The Fluorinated Greenhouse Gases Regulations 2008 (S.I. 2008/41), regs. 1(1)(b), 12 (with reg. 1(2))

C10 S. 170 applied (9.3.2009) by The Fluorinated Greenhouse Gases Regulations 2009 (S.I. 2009/261), reg. 17

C11 S. 170: power to extend conferred (30.11.2009) by Criminal Justice and Immigration Act 2008 (c. 4), s. 153(7), Sch. 17 para. 9(1); S.I. 2009/3074, art. 2(q)

C12 S. 170(3)(b) modified (1.5.2004) by Export of Goods, Transfer of Technology and Provision of Technical Assistance (Control) Order 2003 (S.I. 2003/2764), arts. 1, 21(6)

C13 S. 170(3)(b) modified (1.10.2006) by The Export of Radioactive Sources (Control) Order 2006 (S.I. 2006/1846), arts. 1, 12(4)

C14 S. 170(3)(b) modified (27.4.2007) by The Export Control (North Korea) Order 2007 (S.I. 2007/1334), arts. 1(1), 6(6)

C15 S. 170(3)(b) modified (26.5.2007) by The Export Control (Iran) Order 2007 (S.I. 2007/1526), arts. 1(1), 5(6)

C16 S. 170(3)(b) modified (23.4.2008) by The Export Control (Burma) Order 2008 (S.I. 2008/1098), arts. 1(1), 10(6)

C17 S. 170(3)(b) modified (6.4.2009) by The Export Control Order 2008 (S.I. 2008/3231), arts. 1, 42

C18 S. 170(3)(b) modified (18.3.2011) by The Export Control (Libya) Order 2011 (S.I. 2011/825), arts. 1(1), 6(4)

C19 S. 170(3)(b) modified (13.6.2011) by The Export Control (Iran) Order 2011 (S.I. 2011/1297), arts. 1, 13(4) (with art. 4)

C20 S. 170(3)(b) modified (5.9.2011) by The Export Control (Belarus) and (Syria Amendment) Order 2011 (S.I. 2011/2010), arts. 1(1), 6(4)

C21 S. 170(3)(b) modified (20.2.2012) by The Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade Regulations 2012 (S.I. 2012/178), regs. 1(2), 12

C22 S. 170(3)(b) modified (5.4.2012) by The Export Control (Syria Sanctions) and (Miscellaneous Amendments) Order 2012 (S.I. 2012/810), arts. 1(1), 14(5)

C23 S. 170(3)(b) modified (5.4.2012) by The Export Control (Syria Sanctions) and (Miscellaneous Amendments) Order 2012 (S.I. 2012/810), arts. 1(1), 14(4)

C24 S. 170(3)(b) modified (1.6.2012) by The Export Control (Iran Sanctions) Order 2012 (S.I. 2012/1243), arts. 1(1), 18(4)

C25 S. 170(3)(b) modified (1.6.2012) by The Export Control (Iran Sanctions) Order 2012 (S.I. 2012/1243), arts. 1(1), 18(5)

C26 S. 170(3)(b) modified (28.8.2013) by The Export Control (Burma Sanctions) Order 2013 (S.I. 2013/1964), arts. 1(1), 8(4)

C27 S. 170(3)(b) modified (6.9.2013) by The Export Control (Syria Sanctions) Order 2013 (S.I. 2013/2012), arts. 1(1), 17(5)

C28 S. 170(3)(b) modified (6.9.2013) by The Export Control (Syria Sanctions) Order 2013 (S.I. 2013/2012), arts. 1(1), 17(4)

C29 S. 170(3)(b) modified (7.1.2014) by The Export Control (North Korea and Ivory Coast Sanctions and Syria Amendment) Order 2013 (S.I. 2013/3182), arts. 1(1), 12(4)

C30 S. 170(3)(b) modified (7.1.2014) by The Export Control (North Korea and Ivory Coast Sanctions and Syria Amendment) Order 2013 (S.I. 2013/3182), arts. 1(1), 12(5)

C31 S. 170(3)(b) modified (26.9.2014) by The Export Control (Russia, Crimea and Sevastopol Sanctions) Order 2014 (S.I. 2014/2357), arts. 1(1), 11(5)

C32 S. 170(3)(b) modified (26.9.2014) by The Export Control (Russia, Crimea and Sevastopol Sanctions) Order 2014 (S.I. 2014/2357), arts. 1(1), 11(4)

C33 S. 170(3)(b) modified (6.5.2016) by The Export Control (Iran Sanctions) Order 2016 (S.I. 2016/503), arts. 1(1), 15(4)

C34 S. 170(3)(b) modified (12.8.2016) by The Export Control (Libya Sanctions) Order 2016 (S.I. 2016/787), arts. 1, 9(5)

C35 S. 170(3)(b) modified (12.8.2016) by The Export Control (Libya Sanctions) Order 2016 (S.I. 2016/787), arts. 1, 9(4)

C36 S. 170(3)(b) modified (26.2.2018) by The Export Control (Venezuela Sanctions) Order 2018 (S.I. 2018/108), arts. 1(1), 8(6)

C37 S. 170(3)(b) modified (14.3.2018) by The Export Control (North Korea Sanctions) Order 2018 (S.I. 2018/200), arts. 1, 23(6)

C38 S. 170(3)(b) modified (13.8.2018) by The Export Control (Burma Sanctions) Order 2018 (S.I. 2018/871), arts. 1, 9(3)(4)

C39 S. 170(3)(b) modified (14.8.2018) by The Export Control (Burma Sanctions) (No. 2) Order 2018 (S.I. 2018/894), arts. 1, 9(3)

C40 S. 170(3)(b) modified by S.I. 2011/146, art. 2C(2) (as inserted (1.7.2020) by The Export Control (Somalia) (Amendment) Order 2020 (S.I. 2020/572), arts. 1, 5)

C41 S. 170(3)(b) modified (31.12.2020) by The Burma (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (revoked) 2019 (S.I. 2019/136), regs. 1(2), 57(3)(4); S.I. 2019/627, reg. 4(2) 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

C42 S. 170(3)(b) modified (31.12.2020) by The Zimbabwe (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/604), regs. 1(2), 55(3)(4); S.I. 2019/627, reg. 13(2) 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

C43 S. 170(3)(b) modified (31.12.2020) by The Venezuela (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/135), regs. 1(2), 57(3)(4); S.I. 2019/627, reg. 3(2) 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

C44 S. 170(3)(b) modified (31.12.2020) by The Syria (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/792), regs. 1(3), 85(5)(6); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

C45 S. 170(3)(b) modified (31.12.2020) by The Republic of Belarus (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/600), regs. 1(2), 54(3)(4); S.I. 2019/627, reg. 12(2) 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

C46 S. 170(3)(b) modified (31.12.2020) by The Syria (United Nations Sanctions) (Cultural Property) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/1233), regs. 1(2), 25(6); S.I. 2020/1514, reg. 19

C47 S. 170(3)(b) modified (31.12.2020) by The Iran (Sanctions) (Human Rights) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/134), regs. 1(2), 57(3)(4); S.I. 2019/627, reg. 2(2) 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

C48 S. 170(3)(b) modified (31.12.2020) by The Sudan (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/753), regs. 1(2), 56(3)(4); S.I. 2020/1514, reg. 15(2)

C49 S. 170(3)(b) modified (31.12.2020) by The Somalia (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/642), regs. 1(2), 69(5)(6); S.I. 2020/1514, reg. 12(2)

C50 S. 170(3)(b) modified (31.12.2020) by The Russia (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/855), regs. 1(2), 86(5)(6); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

C51 S. 170(3)(b) modified (31.12.2020) by The South Sudan (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/438), regs. 1(2), 55(3)(4); S.I. 2019/627, reg. 6(2) 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

C52 S. 170(3)(b) modified (31.12.2020) by The Iraq (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/707), regs. 1(2), 56(5)(6); S.I. 2020/1514, reg. 14(2)

C53 S. 170(3)(b) modified (31.12.2020) by The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/411), regs. 1(2), 116(5)(6); S.I. 2019/627, reg. 7(2) 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

C54 S. 170(3)(b) modified (31.12.2020) by The Counter-Terrorism (International Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/573), regs. 1(2), 48(3)(4); S.I. 2019/627, reg. 11(2) 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

C55 S. 170(3)(b) modified (31.12.2020) by The Central African Republic (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/616), regs. 1(2), 55(3)(4); S.I. 2020/1514, reg. 10(2)

C56 S. 170(3)(b) modified (31.12.2020) by The Iran (Sanctions) (Nuclear) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/461), regs. 1(2), 62(3)(4); S.I. 2019/627, reg. 8(2) 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

C57 S. 170(3)(b) modified (31.12.2020) by The Democratic Republic of the Congo (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/433), regs. 1(2), 55(3)(4); S.I. 2019/627, reg. 5(2) 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

C58 S. 170(3)(b) modified (31.12.2020) by The Lebanon (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/612), regs. 1(2), 30(3)(4); S.I. 2020/1514, reg. 9

C59 S. 170(3)(b) modified (31.12.2020) by The Afghanistan (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/948), regs. 1(2), 44(3)(4); S.I. 2020/1514, reg. 16(2)

C60 S. 170(3)(b) modified (31.12.2020) by The Libya (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/1665), regs. 1(3), 72(6)

C61 S. 170(3)(b) modified (31.12.2020) by The ISIL (Da’esh) and Al-Qaida (United Nations Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/466), regs. 1(2), 45(3)(4); S.I. 2019/627, reg. 9(2) 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

C62 S. 170(3)(b) modified (31.12.2020) by The Yemen (Sanctions) (EU Exit) (No. 2) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/1278), regs. 1(2), 55(3)(4); S.I. 2020/1514, reg. 20(2)

C63 S. 170(3)(b) modified (29.4.2021 at 5.00 pm) by The Myanmar (Sanctions) Regulations 2021 (S.I. 2021/496), regs. 1(3), 66(3)(4)

C64 S. 170(3)(b) modified (28.12.2022) by The Haiti (Sanctions) Regulations 2022 (S.I. 2022/1281), regs. 1(2), 46(3)(4)

C65 S. 170(3)(b) modified (14.12.2023) by The Iran (Sanctions) Regulations 2023 (S.I. 2023/1314), regs. 1(2), 85(4) (with regs. 98-100)

Marginal Citations

M1 1971 c. 38.

F29 170A Offence of handling goods subject to unpaid excise duty. U.K.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F29 S. 170A omitted (with effect in accordance with art. 3 of the commencing S.I.) by virtue of Finance Act 2008 (c. 9), s. 123(2), Sch. 41 para. 25(b); S.I. 2009/511, art. 2 (with art. 4)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C66 S. 170A applied (with modifications) (24.11.2003) by The Channel Tunnel (Alcoholic Liquor and Tobacco Products) Order 2003 (S.I. 2003/2758), arts. 1, 3, Sch.

C67 S. 170A applied (with modifications) (17.3.2000) by S.I. 2000/426, art. 4, Sch. 2

170B Offence of taking preparatory steps for evasion of excise duty. U.K.

(1) If any person is knowingly concerned in the taking of any steps with a view to the fraudulent evasion, whether by himself or another, of any duty of excise on any goods, he shall be liable—

(a) on summary conviction, to a penalty of [F30 the prescribed sum] [F30 £20,000] or of three times the amount of the duty, whichever is the greater, or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months or to both; and

(b) on conviction on indictment, to a penalty of any amount or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding [F31 14] years or to both.

(2) Where any person is guilty of an offence under this section, the goods in respect of which the offence was committed shall be liable to forfeiture.

Textual Amendments

F30 S. 170B(1)(a): sum substituted for words (E.W.) (12.3.2015) by The Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 (Fines on Summary Conviction) Regulations 2015 (S.I. 2015/664), reg. 1(1), Sch. 2 para. 1(22) (with reg. 5(1))

F31 Word in s. 170B(1)(b) substituted (22.2.2024) by Finance Act 2024 (c. 3), s. 32(1) (with s. 32(6))

Commencement Information

I1 S. 170B wholly in force (1.6.1993) by 1992 c. 48, s. 3(1), Sch. 2 para. 8; S.I. 1993/1341, art. 2, Sch.

171 General provisions as to offences and penalties. U.K.

(1) Where—

(a) by any provision of any enactment relating to an assigned matter a punishment is prescribed for any offence thereunder or for any contravention of or failure to comply with any regulation, direction, condition or requirement made, given or imposed thereunder; and

(b) any person is convicted in the same proceedings of more than one such offence, contravention or failure,

that person shall be liable to that punishment for each such offence, contravention or failure of which he is so convicted.

(2) In this Act the “prescribed sum”, in relation to the penalty provided for an offence, means—

(a) if the offence was committed in England [F32 or Wales], the prescribed sum within the meaning of [F33 section 32 of the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980 (£1,000 or other sum substituted by order under section 143(1) of that Act)];

(b) if the offence was committed in Scotland, the prescribed sum within the meaning of [F34 subsection (8) of section 225 of the Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1995 (£5,000 or other sum substituted by order under subsection (4) of that section)];

[F35 (c) if the offence was committed in Northern Ireland, the prescribed sum within the meaning of Article 4 of the Fines and Penalties (Northern Ireland) Order 1984 (£1,000 or other sum substituted by order under Article 17 of that Order);]

and in subsection (1)(a) above, the reference to a provision by which a punishment is prescribed includes a reference to a provision which makes a person liable to a penalty of the prescribed sum within the meaning of this subsection.

F36 (2A) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(3) Where a penalty for an offence under any enactment relating to an assigned matter is required to be fixed by reference to the value of any goods, that value shall be taken as the price which those goods might reasonably be expected to have fetched, after payment of any duty or tax chargeable thereon, if they had been sold in the open market at or about the date of the commission of the offence for which the penalty is imposed.

(4) Where an offence under any enactment relating to an assigned matter which has been committed by a body coporate is proved to have been committed with the consent or connivance of, or to be attributable to any neglect on the part of, any director, manager, secretary or other similar officer of the body corporate or any person purporting to act in any such capacity, he as well as the body corporate shall be guilty of that offence and shall be liable to be proceeded against and punished accordingly.

In this subsection “director”, in relation to any body corporate established by or under any enactment for the purpose of carrying on under national ownership any industry or part of an industry or undertaking, being a body corporate whose affairs are managed by the members thereof, means a member of that body corporate.

[F37 (4A) Subsection (4) shall not apply to an offence which relates to a matter listed in Schedule 1 to the Commissioners for Revenue and Customs Act 2005 (former Inland Revenue matters).]

(5) Where in any proceedings for an offence under the customs and excise Acts any question arises as to the duty or the rate thereof chargeable on any imported goods, and it is not possible to ascertain [F38 the time at which a liability to import duty is incurred] [F39 or the relevant excise duty point], that duty or rate shall be determined [F40 as if the time when the proceedings were commenced was the time at which the liability to import duty was incurred] [F39 or, as the case may be, as if the time when the proceedings were commenced was the relevant excise duty point.]

Textual Amendments

F32 Words substituted by S.I. 1984/703, (N.I. 3) Sch. 6 para. 7(a)

F33 Words substituted by Magistrates' Courts Act 1980 (c. 43, SIF 82), s. 154, Sch. 7 para. 178

F34 Words in s. 171(2)(b) substituted (1.4.1996) by 1995 c. 40, ss. 5, 7(2), Sch. 4 para. 18(5)

F35 S. 171(2)(c) inserted by S.I. 1984/703, (N.I. 3) Sch. 6 para. 7(b)

F36 S. 171(2A) repealed (5.11.1993) by 1993 c. 50, s. 1(1), Sch 1, Pt. XIV Gp. 2.

F37 S. 171(4A) inserted (18.4.2005) by Commissioners for Revenue and Customs Act 2005 (c. 11), s. 53(1), Sch. 4 para. 28; S.I. 2005/1126, art. 2(2)(h)

F38 Words in s. 171(5) 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. 115(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)

F39 Words in s. 171(5) inserted (9.12.1992) by Finance (No. 2) Act 1992 (c. 48), s. 3(1), Sch. 2 para. 9(a)(b); S.I. 1992/3104, art. 2(1).

F40 Words in s. 171(5) 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. 115(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)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C68 S. 171(4) excluded (28.12.2022) by The Haiti (Sanctions) Regulations 2022 (S.I. 2022/1281), regs. 1(2), 41(4)

C69 S. 171(4) excluded (31.12.2020) by The Lebanon (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/612), regs. 1(2), 25(4); S.I. 2020/1514, reg. 9

C70 S. 171(4) excluded (31.12.2020) by The Iran (Sanctions) (Human Rights) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/134), regs. 1(2), 52(4); S.I. 2019/627, reg. 2(2) 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

C71 S. 171(4) excluded (31.12.2020) by The Iran (Sanctions) (Nuclear) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/461), regs. 1(2), 57(4); S.I. 2019/627, reg. 8(2) 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

C72 S. 171(4) excluded (31.12.2020) by The Afghanistan (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/948), regs. 1(2), 39(4); S.I. 2020/1514, reg. 16(2)

C73 S. 171(4) excluded (31.12.2020) by The Yemen (Sanctions) (EU Exit) (No. 2) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/1278), regs. 1(2), 50(4); S.I. 2020/1514, reg. 20(2)

C74 S. 171(4) excluded (31.12.2020) by The Iraq (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/707), regs. 1(2), 51(4); S.I. 2020/1514, reg. 14(2)

C75 S. 171(4) excluded (31.12.2020) by The Syria (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/792), regs. 1(3), 80(4); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

C76 S. 171(4) excluded (31.12.2020) by The Libya (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/1665), regs. 1(3), 67(4)

C77 S. 171(4) excluded (31.12.2020) by The Somalia (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/642), regs. 1(2), 64(4); S.I. 2020/1514, reg. 12(2)

C78 S. 171(4) excluded (31.12.2020) by The Russia (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/855), regs. 1(2), 81(4); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

C79 S. 171(4) excluded (31.12.2020) by The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/411), regs. 1(2), 111(4); S.I. 2019/627, reg. 7(2) 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

C80 S. 171(4) excluded (31.12.2020) by The ISIL (Da’esh) and Al-Qaida (United Nations Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/466), regs. 1(2), 40(4); S.I. 2019/627, reg. 9(2) 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

C81 S. 171(4) excluded (31.12.2020) by The Sudan (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/753), regs. 1(2), 51(4); S.I. 2020/1514, reg. 15(2)

C82 S. 171(4) excluded (31.12.2020) by The Venezuela (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/135), regs. 1(2), 52(4); S.I. 2019/627, reg. 3(2) 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

C83 S. 171(4) excluded (31.12.2020) by The Central African Republic (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/616), regs. 1(2), 50(4); S.I. 2020/1514, reg. 10(2)

C84 S. 171(4) excluded (31.12.2020) by The Zimbabwe (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/604), regs. 1(2), 50(4); S.I. 2019/627, reg. 13(2) 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

C85 S. 171(4) excluded (31.12.2020) by The Syria (United Nations Sanctions) (Cultural Property) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/1233), regs. 1(2), 21(4); S.I. 2020/1514, reg. 19

C86 S. 171(4) excluded (31.12.2020) by The Counter-Terrorism (International Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/573), regs. 1(2), 43(4); S.I. 2019/627, reg. 11(2) 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

C87 S. 171(4) excluded (31.12.2020) by The Republic of Belarus (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/600), regs. 1(2), 49(4); S.I. 2019/627, reg. 12(2) 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

C88 S. 171(4) excluded (31.12.2020) by The Burma (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (revoked) 2019 (S.I. 2019/136), regs. 1(2), 52(4); S.I. 2019/627, reg. 4(2) 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

C89 S. 171(4) excluded (31.12.2020) by The Democratic Republic of the Congo (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/433), regs. 1(2), 50(4); S.I. 2019/627, reg. 5(2) 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

C90 S. 171(4) excluded (31.12.2020) by The South Sudan (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/438), regs. 1(2), 50(4); S.I. 2019/627, reg. 6(2) 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

C91 S. 171(4) excluded (29.4.2021 at 5.00 pm) by The Myanmar (Sanctions) Regulations 2021 (S.I. 2021/496), regs. 1(3), 61(4)

C92 S. 171(4) excluded (14.12.2023) by The Iran (Sanctions) Regulations 2023 (S.I. 2023/1314), regs. 1(2), 80(4) (with regs. 98-100)