Checking The Vehicle
You must demonstrate how you would check a vehicle for smuggled items before taking it through customs. Bear in mind that if contraband is found you will be regarded as its owner, and punished accordingly.
When checking the engine compartment make sure that you look carefully and feel into crevices. Beware of sharp edges and hot surfaces – we recommend that you wear gloves.
Pay attention to wind deflectors and steps fitted to the front of the cab. As you walk around the vehicle pay attention to crash barriers and under-run bars – these are normally u-shaped in section and small items can easily be hidden behind them. Offer to open the battery compartment and any electrical compartments associated with tail-lifts.
Check the inner surface of wheel wells and pay particular attention to suspension components and exposed parts of the chassis in case packages have been attached to them. If any axle has twin wheels check between them.
Don’t forget that packages may be put into the fuel tank attached to fishing line for later retrieval. Ensure that the cap is tight after any inspection has taken place.
As you walk around the vehicle be alert for damage to the fabric of the body. Provided that the doors, curtains, bodywork and locks are secure there should not have been an opportunity for any contraband to be placed in the load area. If the load area has been left unlocked however a thorough inspection will be required. At each stage of your vehicle inspection inform your examiner of what you are about to do and follow their instructions regarding how thorough to be.
You must thoroughly check the cab. Pay particular attention to the following areas:
- Sun visors and glove compartments
- Document compartments
- Areas behind seats/sleeping areas
- Foot wells and under carpets
- Door compartments and cubby holes
You also need to demonstrate how you would search the vehicle for stowaways. If a driver is found to be negligent and brings illegal immigrants into the UK they can be fined up to £2,000 for each person.
Though we are treating this as a separate activity, checks for both stowaways and contraband should take place at the same time.
Check cab-top wind deflectors by careful observation from ground level, and by looking through the sun roof if the cab has one.
If the body of the truck/trailer has a translucent roof it will be possible to check for anything or anyone on top of the vehicle from inside. If this is not possible then you should stand well back from the vehicle in an effort to directly check the roof or use whatever may be available to gain an effective vantage point.
As for contraband, you should check for any sign that the security of the load area has been compromised. You should open the back doors of the vehicle and offer to check the load area for hidden persons.
Illegal immigrants will attach themselves to any part of the vehicle in an effort to get through customs. Be sure to check the chassis rails and other areas under the vehicle during your vehicle inspection.