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Goods and vehicles seized by UKBA

Multi-Award Winning Experts in Recovering Seized Vehicles and Reducing Penalties levied by Border Force

IMD Corporate have an excellent track record in a number of matters where we assisted clients with recovering vehicles seized by the Border Force, reducing fines imposed by HMRC, and implementing procedures and policies meant to protect businesses dealing with transports to and from the UK.

Transport of undeclared goods, clandestine entrants or non-compliance with transport regulations may result in your vehicle being seized or a penalty being levied on your company. We appreciate this can lead to significant financial and reputational losses for your business.

Our experienced solicitors can analyse the circumstances surrounding the seizure, present a compelling case on your behalf, and guide you through the relevant process to make sure we minimise the negative impact of the seizure on your business.

Get in touch with us by calling on 0330 107 0106 in order to arrange a free no no-obligation call or request a free quote.

My vehicle or goods have been seized – what now?

Even if you did not know of the undeclared goods being transported and believe you have done all you could to prevent clandestine entry, your vehicle and/or seized goods will not be simply given back to you upon request.

Border Force will hold you accountable for the incident unless you provide compelling reasons and evidence as proof that you have undertaken sufficient steps to prevent misconduct by your own drivers or clients. Your items will be sold or destroyed if you do not act within deadlines imposed by the Border Force.

If your goods and/or vehicle have been seized under Customs and Excise Management Act 1979, you have three options:

  1. Notice of Claim: if you believe the Border Force or HMRC did not have any right to seize your items, we can challenge the legality of the seizure through appropriate court proceedings in the Magistrates’ Court;
  2. Restoration Request: if you accept the seizure, but want to restore the goods and/or vehicle, we can help explain your circumstances to the Border Force or HMRC and provide them with appropriate accompanying evidence;
  3. Both options: If this solution is suitable, we can ask for your goods and/or vehicle to be returned promptly, while also claiming that it was seized illegally in the first place.

HMRC and Border Force will dispose or sell your vehicle if you do not submit a Notice of Claim within a month of the date of seizure or request its restoration within 45 days of the seizure. As such, we urge you to contact us as soon as possible, so that we may advise you on the best way forward.

When should I involve solicitors?

The administrative restoration procedure gives us just two chances to present our case and prove that your items should be returned promptly.

Our solicitors have achieved wonderful results even in cases where our client’s initial request was refused in the first instance, but by contacting us early you are maximising your chances of success and restoring the vehicle early.

If each of the chances to present our case is not fully taken as part of the administrative process, the only avenue will be an appeal to a tribunal, which carries significant costs that we appreciate all business wish to avoid. We can, however, offer you our support at each stage of such matters.

Get in touch with us so that we can arrange for the goods to be reloaded onto a different transport, guide you through the restoration process, and also offer you training on implementing procedures that will better protect you from such incidents in the future.

Our law experts are here to help you

For an initial consultation, call our UK International Solicitors on 0330 107 0106 or request a free call back.

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IMD Corporate – the right lawyers for your business

As a full-service law firm, our commercial lawyers are passionate about reducing the risk of commercial disputes through specialist contracts that are sector and industry-specific and fit for the jurisdictions in which your business operates.

No company, whether a start-up, SME or multi-national, can avoid all business disputes. That is where our dispute resolution solicitors step in to react quickly at the first sign of a claim or jurisdictional dispute. With our legal expertise, combined with a pragmatic commercial focus, we can work with you to find the best solution to your problems

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The success of a start-up or multi-national business can come down to the quality of its paperwork. That’s why your business, large or small, needs commercial lawyers it can trust to deliver the documents and commercial contracts it requires to get on with business

Whether it is company formation documents, complex shareholder agreements, IP licenses or commercial contracts, our experienced commercial solicitors can help. We like to think that we supply the backbone of your business with specialist documents tailored to your business needs, providing commercial solutions built around your needs.

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Corporate Solutions

IMD specialise in delivering corporate solutions through technical expertise combined with excellent client service and attention to detail.

Our highly specialist corporate solicitors operate out of offices in the UK and Europe. We assist large and small UK and international businesses with their corporate law needs, including domestic and cross-border transactions.

Our corporate solicitors can provide corporate solutions, whether you are a listed company, start-up, SME or management team.

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List of notable business crime and regulatory cases

  • Defending in large scale national fraud upon pharmaceutical agencies. This required an in depth knowledge of practice within the pharmaceutical legislative. Successful outcome (acting for company director).
  • Advising a company in connection with bringing non-gambling slot machines to the UK market involving extensive discussions with the Gambling Commission and a claim in the Hight Court.
  • Acting for an individual in transit through Heathrow who had goods seized by the UK Border Control. Successfully recovered a large settlement in lieu of seized goods.
  • Defending in large scale Trading Standards case involving price competition within the energy industry.
  • Environmental case involving multi agencies around the UK involving illegal tipping of noxious substances on a huge scale. Not guilty verdict (acting for company director).

Do you have a legal issue that
needs to be resolved in the UK?

Why us?

Why Choose IMD Corporate?

01.

Why Choose IMD Corporate?

Our team is adept at handling intricate cases involving international elements, such as division of assets across borders, child abduction and child relocation. This makes us particularly suited for individuals with international family or business ties.

02.

Award-Winning Legal Excellence

We are proud recipients of multiple national awards, a testament to our commitment to legal excellence. Our awards reflect our high standards and dedication to achieving the best outcomes for our clients. You can check the list of our awards by clicking here.

03.

Outstanding Client Testimonials

Our clients’ satisfaction speaks volumes about our services. We invite you to read the glowing testimonials on ReviewSolicitors, which showcase our ability to exceed client expectations.

04.

Proven Track Record in Complex Cases

Our firm has a proven track record of successfully handling complex legal cases, particularly those involving cross-border elements. Our expertise is especially beneficial for individuals seeking sophisticated legal solutions.

05.

Deep Cultural Understanding

At IMD Corporate, we recognise the significance of cultural nuances in legal matters. Our team, with its diverse cultural backgrounds, is uniquely positioned to understand and empathetically address the specific needs of clients from various international communities.

06.

Personalised and Compassionate Approach

We believe in a client-centric approach, offering personalised and compassionate legal advice. Understanding that each case is unique, we tailor our strategies to suit individual client needs.

07.

Comprehensive Legal Services

Beyond family law, we offer a wide range of legal services, making us a one-stop solution for all your legal needs, whether personal or business-related.

08.

Commitment to Client Communication

We believe in empowering our clients with knowledge. Our team ensures that you are well informed about the legal processes and your options, enabling you to make educated decisions.

09.

Comprehensive Legal Services

Our extensive network of international legal and professional contacts allows us to efficiently handle cases that span multiple jurisdictions, providing a seamless legal experience for our clients.

10.

High Ethical Standards

As a reputable law firm, we adhere to the highest ethical standards, ensuring transparency, integrity, and professionalism in all our dealings.

Frequently Asked Questions

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If you need legal advice, contact us today to request a free callback. Please note that all meetings are by appointment only in all our offices.

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