The case was brought by Hoverspeed and a group of day trippers in July.

The effect of the landmark case means that passengers now can't be lawfully stopped and searched on arrival at Dover unless customs officers have 'reasonable grounds' for suspecting an offence has been caused.

Four individuals, with the help of cross-Channel operator Hoverspeed, brought the action after being stopped by customs on return from a day trip to France and Belgium.

Alcohol, cigarettes and their car were seized because officers felt the goods weren't bought for personal use.

After the ruling in July, Customs and Excise stated that their crackdown focussed on smugglers who cost taxpayers £9 million a day.