asked the Minister for Finance why the recipient of a present of a book (name supplied) from an author friend in Britain was sent a form describing this gift as contraband, charging a fine and imposing as a condition of the release of the book, on payment of duty and a fine, a requirement that he advise all firms from whom he receives or is likely to receive dutiable goods by post to send such goods in future by one or other of two particular methods; and whether he will ask the Revenue Commissioners to refrain from treating in this way innocent recipients of gifts of books.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Book Gifts.
41.
The addressee was sent a notification of the packet, which was found to contain a book, in the general terms described by the Deputy because it was imported by a means which is not permitted, that is by letter post without a "Green Label" affixed to it, and was therefore subject to forfeiture. The notification form used is primarily directed at commercial importations and is drawn up in broad terms, parts of which may seem inappropriate in particular cases.
As the Deputy is aware, provision has recently been made for repaying, on request to the Revenue Commissioners, turnover tax charged on books imported in certain circumstances, including, as appears to be the case in the circumstances referred to by the Deputy, the receipt of a complimentary copy from the author.
42.
asked the Minister for Finance why a person (name supplied) to whom a book was sent as a gift by an author friend in Britain was not notified of the arrival of this gift until 13 days after its despatch from Britain.
The person in question was notified by the Customs of the arrival of a letter packet, which subsequently was found to contain a book, on the date, the 26th May, 1972, on which it was handed over to the customs by the Post Office authorities. Records are not maintained as to when packets are despatched by their senders.