Regulation 7 Proof of lawful import or export
Where a specimen—
is being imported or exported,
has been imported, or
is brought to any place for the purpose of being imported or exported,
a general customs official may require any person possessing or having control of that specimen to provide proof that its import or export is or was not unlawful by virtue of the Principal Regulation or the Subsidiary Regulation.
Until proof required under paragraph (1) is provided to the satisfaction of a general customs official, the specimen may be detained by the customs official for 30 days beginning on the day on which the specimen is first detained.
If that proof is not provided to the satisfaction of the general customs official before the expiry of that period of detention, the specimen is deemed to be seized as liable to forfeiture under the Customs and Excise Management Act 1979 M1 on expiry of that period.
In this regulation, “general customs official” means a person designated as a general customs official under section 3(1) of the Borders, Citizenship and Immigration Act 2009 M2 or a person authorised by a designated person.