Customs Act 2015 section 26

Power to stop conveyances

Section 26 sets out the powers of uniformed customs officers to stop any form of transport (vehicles, vessels, aircraft, etc.) for customs control purposes, and the obligations of those in charge of such transport to comply.

• Uniformed customs officers or those on state-marked patrol vessels may stop any conveyance entering, leaving, or within the State, or in the State's contiguous zone.
• For conveyances travelling to or from another EU Member State, or located elsewhere within the State away from ports and airports, the officer must have reasonable grounds to suspect a customs offence before stopping.
• The person in charge of a conveyance must stop when requested; if they fail to do so, the officer may take all reasonable measures to halt it.
• Once stopped, the person in charge must keep the conveyance stationary for as long as reasonably needed for inspection, or move it to a more suitable location if directed by the officer.