Statement of Truth for Cross-Border Shoppers

We advise you carry a Statement of Truth showing your intentions. lt's an easy thing to do and most helpful in any UKBA interview interrogation as it will answer most if not all of the questions that they ask.lf they ask you questions, just refer them to your statement of truth. 

Remember to RECORD the interview interrogation as is your right and under NO circumstances sign the UKBA Officers notebook. More detail here.

EXAMPLE

Statement of Truth

Mr Marlboro

1 Golden Virginia Avenue

Smokeytown

UK

To whom it may concern,

                                           I, (name), d.o.b. (date) passport number ##########, traveled from UK (airport,port) to (destination) on the (date) re (reference/booking/flight number).  I returned UK (airport,port)  from (destination) on the (date)  re (reference/booking/flight number). 

I purchased 20 cartons (4000) of Marlboro cigarettes and 1kg of  Golden Virginia HRT on this trip for my own personal use and they are not held for a commercial purpose. I am not a revenue trader. These purchases were all EU Duty Paid as per regulations. There are NO limits for personal use EU Directive 2008/118/EC

Please find attached printout of my purchases ( example here)

I have the receipts for the above purchases. I can afford the outlay for this trip but l could’ve just as easily put it on my credit card or taken a loan. The results would all be the same, l save a great deal of money and have a mini-break abroad.

[ In this section put your previous trips abroad incl holidays. Add any purchases, if any, of tobacco/cigarettes that you made on these trips. .Do NOT lie about these trips as UKBA almost certainly already have details of your trips and that is the reason they are asking ... they want you to lie. That is reason enough for UKBA to seize your goods]

I state again that l purchased the cigarettes/tobacco for my own personal use and they are not held for a commercial purpose and neither am l a revenue trader.

.

1. I conformed to EU Directive/2008/118/EC
2. The cigarettes/tobacco are for my own personal use (incl occasional gifts).
3. I purchased them with my own money.(receipts shown)
4. They are not held for a commercial purpose.
5. I am not a revenue trader.
6. I transported the goods myself.

l have now given all the information  you require (EU Directive 2008/118/EC) that shows my legally purchased EU duty paid cigarettes.tobacco are for personal use only and not held for a commercial purpose

Now please let me proceed with my legally purchased EU duty paid goods without any further let or hindrance.

Copy of this statement of truth to be retained by myself and another copy given to UKBA Officer ………….          ID number ……….            at (port/airport)

"I believe that the facts stated in this witness statement are true."

Signed …………………………    Print name…………………. date …………………

Comments by UKBA Officer (optional)

Statement of Truth (3 pages) received by

UKBA Officer  ……………………….           (print name)

UKBA ID number ………….  

Signed  …………………………….

Date …………………..

......................................................................................................................................................................

You need TWO copies of this ... one for UKBA and one for yourself

Specimen only.  Amend and fill in your own details and info. This answers most if not all of the questions UKBA ask you in their interviews interrogations which they refer to as the A-J’s . If they ask you these questions ...  the answers are already contained in this statement of truth …. refer them to it. Do not rabbit on,  instead keep everything precise and factual … nothing more.

Whilst being questioned, they may ask you a question and you answer and then they remain silent looking at you … say nothing. This is a technique that is applied to make you rabbit on and they hope will trip you up. Stay silent and simply look back at them. It does not matter how innocent you are, if you start telling stories the chances are greater they will find a reason to confiscate your goods. They are NOT your friends …. Period! Stick to precise and short factual answers … nothing more.

If you are traveling with a friend who is also purchasing tobacco/cigarettes DO NOT be with them when they purchase these goods. You then have no idea on how much they purchased and therefore cannot be questioned on it. Never ask your friend how much they smoke either … this is personal and nothing to do with you. Also you cannot therefore answer any questions about them, can you?

Insist on recording the interview, they have no right to stop you. Indeed it is in their own procedures.

Regarding the UKBA’s officers notebook. If you are interviewed interrogated ,we advise very strongly that you do NOT sign it. They may try to intimidate you into doing so but it is all bluff … we know through experience! If you sign the notebook as being a true and factual account of the interview interrogation, IT WILL BE USED AGAINST YOU! You have been warned!   It will be used against you anyway but l'm sure it doesnt need you signing to say it's truthful and correct! .... you're acting for them if you sign it! Depend solely upon your RECORDING of the interview interrogation.

Don’t forget to RECORD everything. If your phone won’t do it, get a recorder. They are cheap but if you are ever stopped by UKBA they are worth their weight in gold. It is NOT illegal to record them without their knowledge or indeed with their knowledge … PERIOD! In fact get a recorder! Like this one

Insist on a copy of the notebook as you’ll need it if they seize your goods. It’s no use asking for it at a later date as they’ll take about 40 odd days to get it to you (these will prob be working days) and you only have 28 days to appeal (surprise, surprise, this doesn’t include working days). They'll probably bring up some excuse as to why you can't have a copy but in the end it doesn't matter that much as you have your RECORDING.

Another good tip is to so save your empty packets and tobacco pouches. With the cigarette packets all you need do is cut the back off with the EU Duty paid label still on it. Take these with you and when they ask how much you smoke ... bring them out and show them! 

lf you smoke your last cig before you get on plane or just before you get off ferry .... make sure you open a fresh pack and carry it on your person ... with your lighter (and cig papers). Don't pack them in your luggage.

Download Statement of Truth Doc here  or HERE


Don't forget your ABC ... Always Be Cool


Example of shopper (SBC) using Statement of Truth here 

UPDATE

We are currently updating the Statement of Truth ... Go HERE to view




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