Customs Act 2015 section 30

Power to search persons

Section 30 sets out the powers of customs officers to search individuals suspected of carrying goods liable to forfeiture or records relating to customs offences, together with safeguards governing how such searches must be conducted.

• A customs officer with reasonable cause may search and detain a person at a port, airport, coastline, land frontier, or on premises or conveyances already subject to customs powers, without needing a warrant.
• Searches must be conducted respectfully, the person must understand the reason for the search, and same-sex search rules apply unless the person consents or a medical professional is present.
• The officer may require the person to accompany them to a customs office or other suitable location for the search, and may arrest without warrant anyone who refuses to comply.
• Where a person is suspected of internally concealing controlled drugs or other items, the customs officer may detain them and present them to a member of the Garda Síochána as soon as practicable.