Until March 2003, the United States Customs Service was the portion of the U.S. federal government dedicated to keeping illegal products outside of U.S. borders. It also regulated what could leave the United States and was partially responsible for who could enter the United States.

History

Responding to the urgent need for revenue following the American Revolutionary War, the First United States Congress passed and President George Washington signed the Tariff Act of July 4, 1789, which authorized the collection of duties on imported goods. Four weeks later, on July 31, the fifth act of Congress established the United States Customs Service and its ports of entry.

For over 100 years after its birth, the U.S. Customs Service was the primary source of funds for the entire government, and paid for the nation's early growth and infrastructure. Purchases include the Louisiana and Oregon territories; Florida and Alaska; funding the National Road and the Transcontinental Railroad; building many of the nation's lighthouses; the U.S. Military and Naval academies, and Washington D.C.

With the passage of the Homeland Security Act, the U.S. Customs Service passed from under jurisdiction of the Treasury Department to the Department of Homeland Security.

On March 1, 2003, parts of the U.S. Customs Service combined with the Inspections Program of the Immigration and Naturalization Service, Plant Protection and Quarantine from USDA, and the Border Patrol of the Immigration and Naturalization Service to form U.S. Customs and Border Protection. The Federal Protective Service, along with the investigative arms of the U.S. Customs Service and the Immigration and Naturalization Service, combined to form U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Examples of illegal items

The U.S. Customs Service in the late 1800s.

• All Cuban products without a specific license for their importation, such as cigars.
• Illegal drugs
• Unscreened fruits and meats
• Excessive quantities of textiles
• Undeclared liquor over allowable limits
• Tobacco products over allowable limits
• Undeclared money or monetary instruments over $10,000
• Undeclared firearms and weapons
• Child pornography

Commissioners

This table lists all Commissioners of Customs, their dates of service, and under which administration they served.

See also

• Computer Assisted Passenger Prescreening System

References

External links

• United States Customs & Border Protection