Type: Judgment

Authority: European Authorities: Euopean Communities' Court of Justice

Date: 12/18/2008

Subject: Ruling about a recovery of a customs debt for the purpose of effecting post-clearance recovery of customs import duties, the Court affirmed that a period of 8 to 15 days allowed to an importer suspected of having committed a customs offence in which to submit its observations complies in principle with the requirements of Community law, in particular the right of defence. The Court, however, added that it is for the national court before which the case has been brought to ascertain, with regards to the specific circumstances of the case, whether the period actually allowed to that importer made it possible for him to be given a proper hearing by the customs authorities.

Parties: Sopropé - Organizações de Calçado Lda

Classification: Justice - Art. 48 Rights of defence

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