Reflecting on the Role of CBP on International Customs Day
Having served as an agent with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) for over 26 years, I was proud of donning the uniform and working to protect America from those who wish to harm us while ensuring the free flow of legal trade and travel. While many people’s first thought regarding CBP is their role in securing our borders and ports of entry, an often-overlooked part of their mission is to “enhance the nation's economic prosperity.” To recognize the role CBP and similar agencies worldwide play in facilitating global trade and commerce, we celebrate International Customs Day (ICD) on January 26 each year.
ICD is an opportunity to celebrate the work of Customs officials worldwide and raise awareness about the vital role that customs plays in our daily lives. The day is celebrated with events and activities, including conferences, seminars, and exhibitions. Each year, this annual day of recognition is dedicated to a specific theme; for 2023, that theme is "Nurturing the next generation: promoting a culture of knowledge-sharing and professional pride in Customs."
The history of ICD can be traced back to 1953, when the inaugural session of the Customs Cooperation Council (CCC) was held on January 26 in Brussels, Belgium, with representatives from 17 European countries participating. The CCC was established to promote cooperation and coordination between Customs officials worldwide and to help ensure Customs regulations were applied consistently and fairly. In 1983, the CCC formally established International Customs Day to celebrate the organization’s 30th Anniversary of its inaugural meeting. In 1994, the CCC was renamed World Customs Organization (WCO), and today includes Customs organizations from 180+ WCO member countries. The organization
Customs are a vital part of our global community. The men and women who serve as Customs officers are the unsung heroes who work tirelessly to protect our borders and facilitate international trade. It's worth noting that the role of customs officials is quite challenging and demanding, with a big responsibility for their country's security and trade. They must be constantly updated with the changing rules and regulations and always ready for new challenges.
One critical function of Customs is collecting tariffs and other taxes on imported goods. This helps to ensure that domestic industries are protected and that governments have the revenue they need to provide public goods and services. Customs officials are also responsible for enforcing trade agreements and ensuring that goods are appropriately classified and labeled. This helps to ensure that trade is fair and that consumers are protected.
Customs officers further play a critical role in facilitating international trade by ensuring that goods move smoothly and efficiently across borders, working to promote economic growth by providing security and streamlined clearance procedures for legitimate trade. They are also responsible for enforcing trade laws to protect domestic industries and consumers, protecting communities from illegal activities, preventing the smuggling and trafficking of drugs, weapons, and other dangerous materials, and protecting wildlife and other natural resources from illegal trade. They also help to combat money laundering and other financial crimes.
Having been on the frontlines, working with my fellow officers and agents was a humbling experience. Operating at or near the ports of entry along the Southwest Border, the difficult job that the men and women of CBP endure daily is genuinely remarkable. Working for Dignari, I can continue promoting pride and supporting CBP's great men and women, supporting their frontline efforts and mission.
On this International Customs Day, let us take a moment to appreciate the hardworking customs officials who keep our borders secure and make sure that trade flows smoothly. And give a little nod to thank them next time you're at the airport or crossing a border; they might just smile and wave you through a little faster.