Clearing customs
Sir: Without the full facts I cannot com- ment in detail about the article in your 8 February issue (Diary, Nicholas Coleridge) about the difficulties encountered by a passenger seeking to pay duty and VAT on a camera and accessories. There are diffe- rent procedures for articles imported for personal or professional use. But I can assure you that there is no collusion be- tween customs officers and import agents to perpetuate 'the intricacies of duty'. Customs officers have to apply the Euro- pean Community's customs tariff over which we have no direct influence. We simply do not have the resources to assist commercial or professional importers in completing customs entries. I object strongly to the implied allegation that there is 'a drink in it' for customs officers when an agent is employed.
L. D. Hawken
Deputy Chairman, Board Room, HM Customs and Excise, King's Beam House, Mark Lane, London EC3
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