VerbatimParliament, as it happens

UK Border Force: Customs

Asked by Alicia KearnsConservativeHome OfficeTabled Answered 3 September 2026UIN 21913

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many customs examinations of (a) passengers and (b) accompanied baggage were conducted by Border Force at airports in each year from 2020 to 2026.

Answered by Home Office

The Home Office does not publish and does not routinely collect statistics on the number of customs examinations of passengers and accompanied baggage undertaken by Border Force.

Border Force conducts thousands of customs interventions and examinations each year using a threat and intelligence-led approach. The Department does not routinely record or collate statistics on individual examinations, as this information is not required for operational or performance management purposes.

Border Force remains focused on identifying and stopping illicit goods and those seeking to circumvent customs controls.

Verbatim has judged this answer against the question that was actually asked — answered, partly answered, or evaded. Sign in to see the verdict →

Open this question in Verbatim →

Every written question, searchable

155,000 questions tabled since the election, with the answer each department gave — and the ones still unanswered, with the clock running. Free to search.

Search written questions →Read on Verbatim