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Customs tightens border controls for Christmas

HM Customs has taken a number of steps to strengthen border controls including drafting in police dogs to help enforce the prohibition of illegal imports of fireworks over the weeks leading to Christmas and the New Year.

This follows the commencement of ‘Operation Comet’, the objective of which is the collection of import duty and the enforcement of prohibitions and restrictions.

In a statement Customs said: “Increased Officer presence at the land frontier will ensure that proper Customs clearance procedures are maintained and that adequate facilities are in place to cope with the extra volume of coaches and private vehicles coming from shopping in Spain in the build-up to Christmas.”

Passenger declaration forms have been distributed to all tour operators and these should be completed prior to the coach’s arrival. These will not be a requirement for private vehicles.

Gibraltar Defence Police FX dogs will be operating at the border in a committed attempt to enforce the prohibition of illegal imports of fireworks.

The public is advised to purchase British Standard approved fireworks that have been legally imported and are available locally.

Customs added that it hopes these measures will lead to minimum disruption to the public whilst maintaining efficiency in the process of collection and law enforcement.

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