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Version Superseded: 28/12/2022
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Customs and Excise Management Act 1979, Section 138 is up to date with all changes known to be in force on or before 07 November 2024. There are changes that may be brought into force at a future date. Changes that have been made appear in the content and are referenced with annotations.
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(1)Any person who has committed, or whom there are reasonable grounds to suspect of having committed, any offence for which he is liable to be detained under the customs and excise Acts may be detained by any officer F1or any member of Her Majesty’s armed forces or coastguard at any time within [F220 years] from the date of the commission of the offence.
(2)Where it was not practicable to detain any person so liable at the time of the commission of the offence, or where any such person having been then or subsequently detained for that offence has escaped, he may be detained by any officer F1or any member of Her Majesty’s armed forces or coastguard at any time and may be proceeded against in like manner as if the offence had been committed at the date when he was finally detained.
(3)Where any person who is a member of the crew of any ship in Her Majesty’s employment or service is detained by an officer for an offence under the customs and excise Acts, the commanding officer of the ship shall, if so required by the detaining officer, keep that person secured on board that ship until he can be brought before a court and shall then deliver him up to the proper officer.
[F3(4)Where any person has been arrested by a person who is not an officer—
(a)by virtue of this section; or
(b)by virtue of section 24 [F4 or 24A] of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 in its application to offences under the customs and excise Acts, [F5or
(c)by virtue of Article 26 [F6or 26A ] of the Police and Criminal Evidence (Northern Ireland) Order 1989 in its application to such offences,]
the person arresting him shall give notice of the arrest to an officer at the nearest convenient office of customs and excise.]
Textual Amendments
F1Words repealed by Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (c. 60, SIF 95), s. 119, Sch. 7 Pt. I and by S.I. 1989/1341 (N.I. 12), art. 90(2)(3), Sch. 7 Pt. I
F2Words substituted by Finance Act 1988 (c. 39, SIF 40:1), s. 11(1)(3)
F3S. 138(4) substituted by Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (c. 60, SIF 95), s. 119(1), Sch. 6 para. 37
F4Words in s. 138(4)(b) inserted (1.1.2006) by Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005 (c. 15), s. 178(8), Sch. 7 para. 54; S.I. 2005/3495, art. 2(1)(m)
F5Words added by S.I. 1989/1341 (N.I. 12), art. 90(1), Sch. 6 para. 9
F6Words in s. 138(4)(c) inserted (N.I.) (1.3.2007) by The Police and Criminal Evidence (Amendment) (Northern Ireland) Order 2007 (S.I. 2007/288), art. 1(2), Sch. 1 para. 18
Modifications etc. (not altering text)
C1S. 138 amended (2.8.1993) by S.I. 1993/1813, art. 6, Sch. 3 para. 2(1)(a)(2)(c); s. 138 amended by the said S.I. 1993/1813, art. 6, Sch. 3 para. 2 as incorporated (with modifications) (1.12.1997) by S.I. 1994/1405, art. 6, Sch. 3 para. 3
S. 138 applied (1.3.1995) by S.I. 1995/271, reg. 12(1)
S. 138 applied (15.11.1996) by S.I. 1996/2721, reg. 12(1)
S. 138 applied (with modifications) (15.7.1998) by S.I. 1998/1531, reg. 4(3)
S. 138 applied (1.5.1999) by S.I. 1999/1261, reg. 4(3)
S. 138 applied (14.10.1999) by S.I. 1999/2821, reg. 4(3)
S. 138 applied (14.10.1999) by S.I. 1999/2822, reg. 4(3)
S. 138 applied (25.5.2000) by S.I. 2000/1408, reg. 3(3)
S. 138 applied (28.9.2000) by S.I. 2000/2620, reg. 12(1)
S. 138 applied (31.3.2002) by S.I. 2002/868, reg. 4(3)
C2S. 138 applied (6.2.2004) by The Democratic Republic of Congo (Financing and Financial Assistance and Technical Advice, Assistance and Training) (Penalties and Licences) Regulations 2004 (S.I. 2004/221), regs. 1(1), 4(3)
C3S. 138 applied (19.2.2004) by The Sudan (Technical Assistance and Financing and Financial Assistance) (Penalties and Licences) Regulations 2004 (S.I. 2004/373), regs. 1(1), 4(3)
C4S. 138 applied (26.2.2004) by The Liberia (Technical Assistance and Financing and Financial Assistance) (Penalties and Licences) Regulations 2004 (S.I. 2004/432), regs. 1(1), 4(3)
C5S. 138 applied (17.5.2004) by The Burma (Sale, Supply, Export, Technical Assistance, Financing and Financial Assistance and Shipment of Equipment) (Penalties and Licences) Regulations 2004 (S.I. 2004/1315), regs. 1(1), 4(3)
C6S. 138 applied (9.2.2005) by The Export Control (Iraq and Ivory Coast) Order 2005 (S.I. 2005/232), arts. 1(1), 5(3)
C7S. 138 applied by SI 2003/318, art. 11(4) (as added (28.3.2005) by The Trade in Controlled Goods (Embargoed Destinations) (Amendment) Order 2005 (S.I. 2005/445), arts. 1, 3)
C8S. 138 applied by SI 2003/2764, art. 21(8) (as added (28.3.2005) by The Export of Goods, Transfer of Technology and Provision of Technical Assistance (Control) (Amendment) Order 2005 (S.I. 2005/468), arts. 1, 5)
C9S. 138 applied by SI 2003/2765, art. 12(4) (as added (28.3.2005) by The Trade in Goods (Control) (Amendment) Order 2005 (S.I. 2005/443), arts. 1, 4)
C10S. 138 applied (27.6.2005) by The Export Control (Democratic Republic of Congo) Order 2005 (S.I. 2005/1677), arts. 1(1), 7(2)
C11S. 138 applied (26.11.2005) by The Export Control (Uzbekistan) Order 2005 (S.I. 2005/3257), arts. 1(1), 6(2)
C12S. 138 applied (27.7.2006) by The Export Control (Liberia) Order 2006 (S.I. 2006/2065), arts. 1(1), 7(2)
C13S. 138 applied (30.7.2006) by The Technical Assistance Control Regulations 2006 (S.I. 2006/1719), regs. 1(1), 6(2)
C14S. 138 applied (11.10.2006) by The Lebanon (Technical Assistance, Financing and Financial Assistance) (Penalties and Licences) Regulations 2006 (S.I. 2006/2681), regs. 1(1), 5(2)
C15S. 138 applied (11.10.2006) by The Burma (Sale, Supply, Export, Technical Assistance, Financing and Financial Assistance) (Penalties and Licences) Regulations 2006 (S.I. 2006/2682), art. 1(1), reg. 6(2)
C16S. 138 applied (27.4.2007) by The Export Control (North Korea) Order 2007 (S.I. 2007/1334), arts. 1(1), 7(3)
C17S. 138 applied (26.5.2007) by The Export Control (Iran) Order 2007 (S.I. 2007/1526), arts. 1(1), 6(3)
C18S. 138 applied (23.4.2008) by The Export Control (Burma) Order 2008 (S.I. 2008/1098), arts. 1(1), 11(3)
C19S. 138 applied (6.4.2009) by The Export Control Order 2008 (S.I. 2008/3231), arts. 1, 41(3)
C20S. 138 applied by 1983 c. 18, s. 1D(2) (as inserted (30.11.2009) by Criminal Justice and Immigration Act 2008 (c. 4), s. 153(7), Sch. 17 para. 3; S.I. 2009/3074, art. 2(q))
C21S. 138 applied by SI 2009/1749, art. 13(2) (as substituted (11.12.2009) by The North Korea (United Nations Sanctions) (Amendment) Order 2009 (S.I. 2009/3213), arts. 1(1), 11)
C22S. 138 applied (20.2.2010) by The Export Control (Guinea) Order 2010 (S.I. 2010/364), arts. 1(1), 7(3)
C23S. 138 applied by S.I. 2009/886, art. 11(2) (as substituted (17.12.2010) by The Iran (United Nations Sanctions) (Amendment) Order 2010 (S.I. 2010/2978), arts. 1(1), 15)
C24S. 138 applied (17.2.2011) by The Export Control (Somalia) Order 2011 (S.I. 2011/146), arts. 1(1), 5(3)
C25S. 138 applied (17.2.2011) by The Export Control (Liberia) Order 2011 (S.I. 2011/145), arts. 1(1), 6(3)
C26S. 138 applied (18.3.2011) by The Export Control (Libya) Order 2011 (S.I. 2011/825), arts. 1(1), 7(3)
C27S. 138 applied (25.5.2011) by The Export Control (Syria and Miscellaneous Amendments) Order 2011 (S.I. 2011/1304), arts. 1(1), 7(3)
C28S. 138 applied (13.6.2011) by The Export Control (Eritrea and Miscellaneous Amendments) Order 2011 (S.I. 2011/1296), arts. 1(1), 6(3)
C29S. 138 applied (13.6.2011) by The Export Control (Iran) Order 2011 (S.I. 2011/1297), arts. 1, 14(3) (with art. 4)
C30S. 138 applied (5.9.2011) by The Export Control (Belarus) and (Syria Amendment) Order 2011 (S.I. 2011/2010), arts. 1(1), 7(3)
C31S. 138 applied (30.11.2011) by The Export Control (Al-Qaida and Taliban Sanctions) Regulations 2011 (S.I. 2011/2649), regs. 1(1), 8(2)
C32S. 138 applied (30.12.2011) by The Export Control (Sudan and South Sudan Sanctions) and (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2011 (S.I. 2011/2925), regs. 1(1), 7(2)
C33S. 138 applied (5.4.2012) by The Export Control (Syria Sanctions) and (Miscellaneous Amendments) Order 2012 (S.I. 2012/810), arts. 1(1), 15(3)
C34S. 138 applied (1.6.2012) by The Export Control (Iran Sanctions) Order 2012 (S.I. 2012/1243), arts. 1(1), 19(3)
C35S. 138 applied (28.8.2013) by The Export Control (Burma Sanctions) Order 2013 (S.I. 2013/1964), arts. 1(1), 9(3)
C36S. 138 applied (6.9.2013) by The Export Control (Syria Sanctions) Order 2013 (S.I. 2013/2012), arts. 1(1), 18(3)
C37S. 138 applied (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), 13(3)
C38S. 138 applied (with modifications) (26.9.2014) by The Export Control (Russia, Crimea and Sevastopol Sanctions) Order 2014 (S.I. 2014/2357), arts. 1(1), 12(3)
C39S. 138 applied (31.12.2014) by The Export Control (Sudan, South Sudan and Central African Republic Sanctions) Regulations 2014 (S.I. 2014/3258), regs. 1(1), 10(2)
C40S. 138 applied (11.8.2015) by The Export Control (Democratic Republic of Congo Sanctions and Miscellaneous Amendments and Revocations) Order 2015 (S.I. 2015/1546), arts. 1(1), 8(3)
C41S. 138 applied (27.8.2015) by The Export Control (Yemen Sanctions) Regulations 2015 (S.I. 2015/1586), regs. 1(1), 6(2)
C42S. 138 applied (6.5.2016) by The Export Control (Iran Sanctions) Order 2016 (S.I. 2016/503), arts. 1(1), 16(3)
C43S. 138 applied (12.8.2016) by The Export Control (Libya Sanctions) Order 2016 (S.I. 2016/787), arts. 1, 10(3)
C44S. 138 applied (22.2.2017) by The Export Control (North Korea Sanctions and Iran, Ivory Coast and Syria Amendment) Order 2017 (S.I. 2017/83), arts. 1, 16(3)
C45S. 138 applied (26.2.2018) by The Export Control (Venezuela Sanctions) Order 2018 (S.I. 2018/108), arts. 1(1), 9(3)
C46S. 138 applied (with modifications) (14.3.2018) by The Export Control (North Korea Sanctions) Order 2018 (S.I. 2018/200), arts. 1, 24(6)(7)
C47S. 138 applied (with modifications) (13.8.2018) by The Export Control (Burma Sanctions) Order 2018 (S.I. 2018/871), arts. 1, 10(6)(7)
C48S. 138 applied (with modifications) (14.8.2018) by The Export Control (Burma Sanctions) (No. 2) Order 2018 (S.I. 2018/894), arts. 1, 10(6)(7)
C49S. 138 applied (with modifications) (31.12.2020) by The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/411), regs. 1(2), 115(4); S.I. 2019/627, reg. 7(2) 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)
C50S. 138 applied (with modifications) (31.12.2020) by The Counter-Terrorism (International Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/573), regs. 1(2), 47(4); S.I. 2019/627, reg. 11(2) 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)
C51S. 138 applied (with modifications) (31.12.2020) by The Lebanon (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/612), regs. 1(2), 29(4); S.I. 2020/1514, reg. 9
C52S. 138 applied (with modifications) (31.12.2020) by The Zimbabwe (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/604), regs. 1(2), 54(4); S.I. 2019/627, reg. 13(2) 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)
C53S. 138 applied (with modifications) (31.12.2020) by The Burma (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (revoked) 2019 (S.I. 2019/136), regs. 1(2), 56(4); S.I. 2019/627, reg. 4(2) 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)
C54S. 138 applied (with modifications) (31.12.2020) by The Libya (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/1665), regs. 1(3), 71(4)
C55S. 138 applied (with modifications) (31.12.2020) by The Sudan (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/753), regs. 1(2), 55(4); S.I. 2020/1514, reg. 15(2)
C56S. 138 applied (with modifications) (31.12.2020) by The Republic of Belarus (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/600), regs. 1(2), 53(4); S.I. 2019/627, reg. 12(2) 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)
C57S. 138 applied (with modifications) (31.12.2020) by The Central African Republic (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/616), regs. 1(2), 54(4); S.I. 2020/1514, reg. 10(2)
C58S. 138 applied (with modifications) (31.12.2020) by The Iran (Sanctions) (Human Rights) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/134), regs. 1(2), 56(4); S.I. 2019/627, reg. 2(2) 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)
C59S. 138 applied (with modifications) (31.12.2020) by The Russia (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/855), regs. 1(2), 85(4); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)
C60S. 138 applied (with modifications) (31.12.2020) by The Venezuela (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/135), regs. 1(2), 56(4); S.I. 2019/627, reg. 3(2) 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)
C61S. 138 applied (with modifications) (31.12.2020) by The Yemen (Sanctions) (EU Exit) (No. 2) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/1278), regs. 1(2), 54(4); S.I. 2020/1514, reg. 20(2)
C62S. 138 applied (with modifications) (31.12.2020) by The South Sudan (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/438), regs. 1(2), 54(4); S.I. 2019/627, reg. 6(2) 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)
C63S. 138 applied (with modifications) (31.12.2020) by The Somalia (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/642), regs. 1(2), 68(4); S.I. 2020/1514, reg. 12(2)
C64S. 138 applied (with modifications) (31.12.2020) by The Iraq (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/707), regs. 1(2), 55(4); S.I. 2020/1514, reg. 14(2)
C65S. 138 applied (with modifications) (31.12.2020) by The Democratic Republic of the Congo (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/433), regs. 1(2), 54(4); S.I. 2019/627, reg. 5(2) 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)
C66S. 138 applied (with modifications) (31.12.2020) by The Syria (United Nations Sanctions) (Cultural Property) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/1233), regs. 1(2), 24(4); S.I. 2020/1514, reg. 19
C67S. 138 applied (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), 44(4); S.I. 2019/627, reg. 9(2) 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)
C68S. 138 applied (with modifications) (31.12.2020) by The Syria (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/792), regs. 1(3), 84(4); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)
C69S. 138 applied (with modifications) (31.12.2020) by The Afghanistan (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/948), regs. 1(2), 43(4); S.I. 2020/1514, reg. 16(2)
C70S. 138 applied (with modifications) (31.12.2020) by The Iran (Sanctions) (Nuclear) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/461), regs. 1(2), 61(4); S.I. 2019/627, reg. 8(2) 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)
C71S. 138 applied (with modifications) (29.4.2021 at 5.00 pm) by The Myanmar (Sanctions) Regulations 2021 (S.I. 2021/496), regs. 1(3), 65(4)
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