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<p>HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) do not have a breakdown of the level of smuggling
or the value of smuggled items along the border between Northern Ireland and the Republic
of Ireland.</p><p> </p><p>HMRC publishes estimates of tax gap for fuel and other excise
goods. The latest estimates are included at pages 33 to 49 of ‘Measuring Tax Gaps
2016’</p><p> </p><p>These estimates cannot be disaggregated by type of fraud, such
as smuggling. The estimate of the market share for illicit diesel in Northern Ireland
is 8%, which amounts to about £50m in lost revenue.</p><p> </p><p>HMRC continually
reviews its approach to tackling tax fraud. In respect of the border between Northern
Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, HMRC plays a proactive role in the Organised
Crime Taskforce, chairing the Cross Border Enforcement Groups on tobacco and fuel
fraud.</p><p>HMRC continually monitors the threat from the smuggling of heating oil.
There is currently no evidence to suggest that home heating oil has become the main
hydrocarbon fuel smuggled across the border between Northern Ireland and the Republic
of Ireland.</p>
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