FOI release

Border Force staff guidance on examining passengers wearing clothing covering their face

Published 28 January 2014

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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/border-force-staff-guidance-on-examining-passengers-wearing-clothing-covering-their-face/border-force-staff-guidance-on-examining-passengers-wearing-clothing-covering-their-face

FOI release 29543

Passengers are not routinely asked to remove headwear when passing through customs. However, there may be occasions where it is necessary to establish an individual’s identity and in such instances they will be asked to remove it.

  • Border Force employees follow the Search of Persons guidance in the HMRC Enforcement Handbook when asking individuals to remove headwear.

    Code of practice A, paragraph 3.1 states: Many people customarily cover their heads or faces for religious reasons – for example, Muslim women, Sikh men, Sikh or Hindu
    women, or Rastafarian men or women. Where there may be religious sensitivities about ordering the removal of such an item, the
    officer should permit the item to be removed out of public view. Where practicable, the item should be removed in the presence of an officer of the same sex as the person and out of sight of anyone of the opposite sex.

  • The Border Force Operations Manual provides further guidance on the examination of passengers who are veiled for religious or cultural reasons.

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