HM Customs and Excise facts for kids
Final logo of HM Customs and Excise
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 Ensign of HM Customs and Excise |
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| Non-ministerial government department overview | |
|---|---|
| Formed | 1909 |
| Preceding agencies |
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| Dissolved | 1 April 2005 |
| Superseding agency | |
| Jurisdiction | United Kingdom |
| Headquarters | New Kings Beam House, Upper Ground, London |
HM Customs and Excise (often called HMCE) was a special part of the British Government. It was created in 1909 when two older groups, HM Customs and HM Excise, joined together.
The main job of HMCE was to collect different kinds of taxes. These included customs duties (taxes on goods coming into the country) and excise duties (taxes on certain goods made or sold inside the country). They also collected other indirect taxes.
People in Britain have been paying customs taxes for over a thousand years! HMCE came from very old groups that did similar work.
On April 18, 2005, HMCE joined with another government group called the Inland Revenue. The Inland Revenue used to collect direct taxes, like income tax. Together, they formed a new department called HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC).
Contents
What HM Customs and Excise Did
HM Customs and Excise had three main jobs. They collected money for the government, figured out how much tax was owed, and worked to stop crime. They also did other important tasks.
Collecting Taxes and Duties
One of their biggest roles was to collect taxes. These taxes helped the government pay for public services, like schools and hospitals. They collected customs duties on goods imported from other countries. They also collected excise duties on things like alcohol and tobacco.
Preventing Smuggling and Crime
HMCE officers worked hard to stop people from bringing illegal goods into the country. They also prevented people from avoiding taxes. This was called "preventive work." They would check ships, planes, and vehicles at borders. They looked for smuggled items or things that had not had their taxes paid. This helped keep the country safe and fair.
Images for kids
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Exeter's former Custom House: built in 1681, it was used by HM Customs until 1989.
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Custom House, Lower Thames Street, London: a long-time home for HM Customs.
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HMCE Office, Queen's Dock, Liverpool; it opened in 1993 and closed in 2012.
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A peaked cap worn by Preventive officers when they were in uniform.
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A British Victorian six pence customs revenue stamp.
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HM Revenue Cutter Vigilant, launched in 2003; it was the twelfth customs vessel to have this name.
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