in commerce, the bringing merchandise into a kingdom from foreign countries; in contradiction to exportation. See EXPORTATION.

We shall here give some of the principal laws relating to the importation of goods into this kingdom. Goods imported without entry, or paying customs, are forfeited; and the lord-treasurer, the barons of the exchequer, or chief magistrates of the place where the offence was committed, or next adjoining to it, may grant a warrant to any person, who, with the assistance of a constable, may break open doors, chests, &c. and take thence any prohibited or unaccustomed goods; but this is to be done within one month after the offence was committed. But if false information is given, the person wrongfully accused, may recover costs and damages.

No ship or vessel arriving from beyond sea is to be above three days in failing from Gravesend to the place of discharge on the river Thames, unless hindered by contrary winds or other impediment. And no ship bound for the port of London is to touch or stay at any place adjoining to any shore, between Gravesend and Chesterquay. True entries are to be made of all such ships lading, upon oath of the master or purser for that voyage; also where she took in her lading, where she was built, how manned, who were the owners, and who the master during the voyage. In all out-ports, ships are to come directly to the place of unlading, and make true entries as aforesaid, upon penalty of the forfeiture of 100l.

After any ship is cleared, and the watchmen and tide-men discharged from their attendance, if there be found on board any concealed goods that have not paid the duty inwards, the master, or other person taking charge of the ship, shall forfeit 100l.

Porters, carmen, watermen, &c. afflicting in landing unaccustomed goods, shall, on conviction, for the first offence, be committed to the next jail till they find security for their good behaviour; and for their second offence, they are to be committed to prison for two months, without bail or mainprize, or till they are discharged by the court of exchequer, or each of them pay 5l. to the sheriff of the county.

No merchant-denizen shall cover a stranger's goods, but shall, by himself or agent, sign one of his bills of every entry, with the mark, number, and contents of every parcel of goods, without which no entry shall pass. And no children of aliens under the age of twenty one years, shall have entry made in their names, nor be permitted to trade.

Merchants, trading into the port of London, shall have free liberty to lade and unlade their goods at any of the lawful quays between the Tower and London-bridge, from sun-rising to sun-setting, from September 10, to March 10; and between six o'clock in the morning and six in the evening, from March 10, to September 10; giving notice thereof to the respective officers, appointed to attend the lading and unlading of goods. And such officers as shall refuse to be present shall forfeit 5l. for every default.

To prevent combination between importers, and seizors of goods unlawfully imported or exported, none shall seize them but the officers of the customs, or such as shall be authorised so to do by the lord treasurer, under-treasurer, or a special commission from his majesty, under the great privy seal.

If any feizer of prohibited or unaccustomed goods does not make due prosecution thereof, it is lawful for the custom-house officers, or others deputed thereto, to make seizure of such goods, and they shall be, in law, adjudged the first true informers and seizors, and have the benefit thereof, notwithstanding any law and statute to the contrary.

All foreign goods permitted to be landed by bills at sight, bills at view or suffrance, shall be landed at the most convenient quays and wharfs, as the officers of the customs shall direct; and there, or at the king's storehouse of the respective ports, shall be measured, weighed, numbered, &c. by the officers appointed, who shall perfect the entry, and subscribe their names to it, and the next day make their report to the customer, collector, or comptroller; or in default thereof, shall forfeit 100l.

Any merchant who shall import goods, shall have liberty to break bulk in any lawful port or quay, the master or purser first making oath of the true contents of the ship's lading. No English merchant shall put on shore in Scotland or Ireland, any merchandize of the growth or produce of any of his majesty's plantations, unless the same have been first landed in England, Wales, or Berwick, and paid the duties with which they are chargeable, under the penalty of forfeiting the ship and goods, three fourths to the king, and one fourth to the informer, or he that shall sue for the same: but if a ship be disabled, or driven into any port of Ireland, and unable to proceed on her voyage, her goods may be put on shore, under the hands of the principal officers of the customs there residing, till the goods can be put on board some other vessel, to be transported to some part of England or Wales.

Natives of England or Ireland may import into England, directly from Ireland, any hemp, flax, thread, yarn and linen, of the growth and manufacture of Ireland, custom-free; the chief officer so importing bringing a certificate from the chief office in Ireland, expressing the particulars of the goods, with the names and places of abode of the exporters thence, and of such as have sworn that the said goods are, bona fide, of the growth and manufacture of that kingdom, and who they are consigned to in England; and the chief officer shall make oath, that the said goods are the same that are on board, by virtue of that certificate.