The government has defended customs officers against the rising tide of complaints about the way they treat cross-Channel shoppers.

What can I bring in?

As much as you like for your own personal use But Customs may stop anyone carrying more than a "minimum indicative level" of: 800 cigarettes 90 litres of wine 10 litres of spirits 110 litres of beer 20 litres of fortified wine

Ministers under pressure from the courts, the European Union, opposition MPs and some newspapers over confiscations of goods from ferry travellers.

The Sun newspaper says Treasury Minister John Healey is about to perform a retreat on the row by issuing new guidelines to Customs.

Mr Healey said the guidelines were always under review but stressed the tough task customs officers faced in weeding out smugglers from among honest shoppers.

A group of Channel shoppers in July won a landmark case over the way customs officials stopped and searched people bringing tobacco and alcohol into the UK.

Shoppers' distress

Shoppers have complained of being intimidated by customs staff and having their cars impounded and sold.

Solicitor Belinda Paisley told BBC Radio 4's World At One that one man had been reduced to tears by customs officers asking his son to prove he was disabled.

The High Court ruled that officials wanting to search cars had to have a specific reason to suspect people were carrying goods meant for resale rather than personal use.

John Healey: Customs officers are not bullies

Jonathan Todd, spokesman for EU internal market commissioner Fritz Bolkestein, said the commission had received hundreds of complaints about customs' behaviour.

"We feel in particular that there may not be enough distinction made between genuine shoppers and smugglers," Mr Todd the World At One.

In a single market, shoppers should be able to import goods for their own use rather than for commercial resale, said Mr Todd.

'No bullying'

The EU had still to be reassured over three key concerns, said Mr Todd: how people could prove goods were for their own use; worries about the grounds for checks; and 'disproportionate' penalties.

John Healey, the Treasury minister responsible for Customs, said customs officers were not bullies.

"Customs have got a tough job in these ports," Mr Healey told BBC Radio 4's PM programme.

It seems increasingly clear from the number of complaints that the government is not getting the balance right

Michael Howard Shadow chancellor

"We have got bootleggers who are increasingly clever at mixing with and posing as shoppers."

Customs officers faced daily abuse and some times assaults as they tried to do their work, said Mr Healey.

When the current checks regime was introduced, �1.7bn a year was being lost through bootleg imports, he said.

Mr Healey said "99.9%" of shoppers went through Customs without problems and most of those who were stopped were free to continue their journeys.

He added: "Sometimes customs officers will overstep the mark, but we have clear complaints procedures in place to deal with that."

'Heavy handed'

Earlier, Conservative shadow chancellor Michael Howard said action was needed against smugglers, who cost both legitimate traders and the Treasury much money.

But a balance had to be struck between enforcing the law and being heavy handed with innocent shoppers.

"It seems increasingly clear from the number of complaints that the government is not getting the balance right," said Mr Howard.

The problem could stem from the way the current guidelines were being implemented, suggested the Folkestone MP.

But whatever the cause, a better balance had to be struck between tackling smuggling and the rights of shoppers, he added.