Customs officer facts for kids
A customs officer is a special kind of law enforcement agent. Their job is to make sure people follow customs laws. These laws are about what goods can enter or leave a country. Customs officers work for the government to control borders.
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Customs Officers in Canada
In Canada, customs officers are part of the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA). This agency started in 2003. Before that, there were other groups that did similar work, going all the way back to 1868.
You will often see customs officers at the 117 land crossings and 13 international airports between Canada and the United States. They also work at seaports and mail centers across Canada. Their main goal is to keep Canada safe and control what comes in and out of the country.
Customs Officers in the United Kingdom
In the United Kingdom, customs officers work for two main groups: HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) and the UK Border Force. Their job is to collect taxes and duties on goods. They also control what items are imported (brought in) and exported (sent out). A big part of their work is stopping banned items from entering or leaving the UK.
What UK Customs Officers Do
Customs officers have special powers to do their job. These powers help them check goods and people at borders.
They can board and search:
- Ships at ports.
- Airplanes at airports.
- Vehicles that are entering, leaving, or near the UK border.
Officers can go into any part of a ship, airplane, or vehicle at a port or airport. They can:
- Mark goods before they are unloaded.
- Lock or seal goods or containers.
- Open locked places if keys are not given.
- Seize (take) any hidden goods.
They can also inspect aircraft and airports. Officers can stop planes from leaving if they do not have permission. They can also stop ships in UK waters to check if they have permission to leave.
Officers may examine goods on ships that travel along the UK coast. They can do this while the goods are on the ship or after they have been unloaded.
Checking Travelers and Their Belongings
Customs officers can ask questions about the baggage of people entering or leaving the UK. They can also inspect these bags. Officers can ask people to show their passport or ID and answer questions about their trip.
It is against the rules if someone entering the UK from outside the European Union does not declare (tell officers about) certain items. It is also against the rules if they do not show their bags when asked. Any hidden goods or items that are not declared can be seized. Also, anything being brought into or out of the UK that is banned can be seized.
Stopping Illegal Activities
Customs officers work to stop smuggling. Smuggling is bringing goods into or out of a country illegally. Officers can use vessels (boats) to patrol coastal areas. They can also go onto certain lands, like parts of the coast or near airports, to look for smuggling activities. However, they cannot enter private gardens.
Officers can also stop signals or messages that are connected to smuggling.
They can seize:
- Ships, airplanes, or vehicles built or changed to hide goods.
- Ships that throw goods overboard to avoid being caught.
- Ships or airplanes whose captains cannot explain missing cargo.
Free Trade Zones
A free trade zone is a special area where goods can be stored, made, or changed without paying customs duties right away. Customs officers can ask people entering or leaving these zones about any goods they have. They can also ask to see these goods for inspection. Officers can search vehicles and inspect buildings and goods within a free trade zone at any time.
Checking Businesses
Officers can enter businesses that deal with certain goods, like alcohol or tobacco. They can inspect the premises and check machinery, goods, or materials. If it is at night, a constable (police officer) must be with them.
For places like distilleries or breweries, officers can even break open doors or walls to get in if they are refused entry. This is to search for secret pipes or hidden containers used to avoid paying taxes on goods. If they find such hidden items, they can seize them and any goods found inside.
Customs Officers in the United States
In the United States, a customs officer is a federal law enforcement officer. They make sure customs laws are followed. They also help enforce over 400 other laws for different government agencies.
Customs officers work to check every person and item that enters or leaves the U.S. Some of their many jobs include:
- Finding and taking illegal items (contraband).
- Making sure import duties (taxes) are paid.
- Stopping people without legal permission from entering the U.S.
In the past, U.S. customs officers were part of the United States Department of the Treasury. This was one of the oldest law enforcement groups in the U.S., starting in 1789. Today, customs officers work for the United States Department of Homeland Security. They are part of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
You can find U.S. customs officers at every international airport, seaport, and all land border crossings. They are very important for collecting money for the government through duties and fines. Only the IRS (tax agency) collects more money for the federal government. Customs officers have the power to search, hold, or seize things or people without needing a "probable cause" (a strong reason to believe a crime has happened).
Images for kids
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US Customs and Border Protection officers boarding a ship.
