Customs Departments are the government designated authority to implement the policies related to import and export, collect customs duties and facilitate the movement of people, goods, and cargo into and out of the country.
Area of Operations and Authority
Customs departments have offices at all seaports, airports and border gateways that are essentially the exit and entry points for people and cargo movements into and out of the country. Customs agencies are empowered to make arrests, confiscate goods and enjoy powers like that of police departments.
Every country annually publishes its policy for Foreign Trade, which stipulates the conditions under which goods and services are eligible to be exported or imported. Customs departments implement the provisions of the policy under customs rules, regulations and tariffs.
Imports in many countries may be allowed freely, or some categories may be permitted with due licenses. Many items are also published as banned for import and not allowed entry into the country.
All the items imported into the country must be custom cleared. This applies to the items brought in as personal effects and imported by trade and business establishments including governmental and Dé fense agencies. Necessary stipulated duties would have to be paid before the goods are released by Customs.
Cargo imported into the country from any point of entry is warehoused at Customs bonded area under customs jurisdiction until it is released after clearance.