asked the Minister for Finance whether it is the duty of Customs officials where goods of British manufacture, such as motor parts, are being imported, to inform the importer of the preferential duty on such goods and only charge the cheaper rate.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - PREFERENTIAL DUTIES.
It is the duty of importers to make proper Customs entry of their goods and to pay down the proper duty at the time of entry. Obviously, where imported dutiable goods are entitled to the preferential rate it is the duty of the importers to claim preference and to produce the necessary evidence of qualification therefor.
Public notices on the subject of procedure in claiming preferences are issued by the Revenue Commissioners for the guidance of importers, and Customs officers furnish any further information required.
Might I ask where these notices are exhibited? I have never seen any.
They have been published, and they can be purchased from Eason's Ltd., Dublin.
Would it not be a simpler method if the Customs officers mentioned the facts to people who are not aware of the regulations so that they would not forfeit their rights as citizens of the British Commonwealth of Nations and the preferential tariffs that accrue from that Association? Would it not be simpler for the Customs officers to mention that fact to people who are ignorant of the regulations?
I have no objection to the Customs officers mentioning it, but I do not think it should be made the duty of the Customs officer to do so. The importer must look after his own interests.