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<p>Border Force routinely carries out risk based inspections of post and parcels imported
into the UK. The purpose of this is to both deter and prevent the entry of goods that
would harm the national interest and the safety of its citizens.</p><p>Section 159
of the Customs and Excise Management Act 1979 as amended by regulation 7 of the Postal
Packets (Revenue and Customs) Regulations 2011 provides the power for designated Customs
officials to inspect, and open, any postal packet for the purpose of examining anything
that designated Customs officials suspect it may contain, for example, goods which
may not have duty paid or are prohibited or restricted. The interception of postal
communications for investigatory purposes is not undertaken by Border Force, and can
only be authorised for a competent authority by a warrant under Part 2 of the Investigatory
Powers Act 2016.</p>
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