Customs Act, 1842

Foreign gold and silver plate imported, not being battered, not to be sold, unless of the proper standard, and duly assayed.

59. All gold and silver plate, not being battered, which shall be imported from foreign parts after the commencement of this Act, and sold, exchanged, or exposed to sale within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, shall be of the respective standards now required for any ware, vessel, plate, or manufacture of gold or silver wrought or made in England; and no gold or silver plate so to be imported as aforesaid, not being battered, shall be sold, exchanged, or exposed to sale within the said United Kingdom, until the same shall have been assayed, stamped, and marked, either in England, Scotland, or Ireland, in the same manner as any ware, vessel, plate, or manufacture of gold or silver wrought or made in England, Scotland, or Ireland respectively is or are now by law required to be assayed, stamped, and marked; and every goldsmith, silversmith, or other person whatsoever, who shall sell or expose to sale in England, Scotland, or Ireland any gold or silver plate so to be imported as aforesaid, and not being battered before the same shall have been so assayed, stamped, and marked as aforesaid shall be subject and liable to the like penalties and forfeitures in all respects, and to be recoverable in the same manner, as the penalties and forfeitures now by law imposed upon goldsmiths and silversmiths selling, exchanging, or exposing to sale in England, Scotland, or Ireland respectively any ware or manufacture of gold or silver plate made or wrought in England, Scotland, or Ireland respectively, and not assayed, stamped, and marked as required by law: Provided always, that no article or ware of gold or silver so to be imported as aforesaid shall be liable to be assayed, stamped, or marked as aforesaid which would not be liable to be assayed, stamped, or marked, if it had been wrought or made in England.