Situation
A European removals firm operating 3.5t vehicles was fined £24,000 after Border Force found two clandestine entrants in their vehicle at Calais. A ‘clandestine entrant’ is a person who hides in or on a vehicle to avoid going through UK border control.
Both the driver and the company were fined £12,000 each.
The company was unaware of the Civil Penalty Accreditation Scheme requirements and had no procedures to prevent such incidents.
Action taken
We filed a Notice of Objection for the company and the driver, explaining the mitigation and providing financial information to show that paying the full fines would cause severe financial hardship.
Outcome
The Border Force accepted our argument and reduced the fines to £3,000 each, a 75% reduction.
Conclusion
If your vehicle is found with a clandestine entrant, you’ll need to complete an IS11D questionnaire from Border Force. This determines if and how much you’ll be fined.
We can help you complete the IS11D to minimise the risk of a fine. If fined, we can file a Notice of Objection to reduce the penalties, but it’s crucial to act quickly due to strict deadlines.
If you have been caught with clandestine entrants or stowaways in your vehicle and need legal advice, contact our team on 0115 910 6239 or email info@keepmeontheroad.co.uk.