CROSS-CHANNEL shoppers who have complained about heavy-handed customs officers could be helped by the intervention of the European Commission.

The Commission is to take legal action against the Government over allegations that customs officers are being too hard on those going on booze cruises.

The move follows long-running complaints from shoppers who have had their purchases seized and cars impounded at Kent ports when returning from trips France.

Now the Commission has taken up the cause, saying it considers the UK’s policy of seizing goods and cars for even minor offences as “disproportionate.”

The Government has reacted angrily to the news, saying customs officials only target smugglers in a bid to limit the £3billion in lost revenue from excise duty it suffers each year.

Kent MP Gwyn Prosser, who represents Dover, hit out at European Commissioner Frits Bolkestein, who instigated the action.

"In the last two years Dover has handled more than 30 million passengers and our customs officers have dealt with them fairly. Dealing with such numbers means there will inevitably be a dozen or so misjudgments at the margins.

"But the vast majority of customers who act within the law are treated efficiently and courteously. The small number of smugglers and law breakers are dealt with firmly and prompty. That's the way it should be."

Some EU Commissioners were more interested in boosting their egos than bothering to understand the strategy, he added.

Kent Euro MP Peter Skinner said: “I know from my postbag that in some individual cases, people feel they have been unfairly treated by Customs officials, and I will continue to take up these cases. But the Government’s changes, particularly the three-strike rule, should reduce the likelihood of unwarranted action against people acting within the law in the future.”

The Government had sought to avoid legal action by the Commissoin by saying it would allow first-time offenders to keep their cars and goods but still pay duty and a fine.