Let us remember that…

Borders mark the territorial limits of a country. Merchandise and people with luggage traveling from one country to another must pass through Customs control upon crossing the border.

Customs are the entire set of facilities where goods entering or leaving a given territory are controlled.

Since 1993, there have been no borders between member countries within the European Union. This means that goods and people with luggage can move freely from one European Union state to another without having to go through administrative controls at Customs. Customs therefore control the exchange of goods with countries outside the European Union.

Products that do not comply with customs regulations are considered contraband. Different types of smuggling are:

• Trafficking in substances or articles whose possession is prohibited (drugs, weapons, etc.).

• Illicit trafficking of goods that, by their nature, require very specific controls (animals, works of art, etc.).

• Excessive entry of items whose permitted quantity is restricted to personal use (tobacco, alcohol, etc.).

Customs also has important functions in combating counterfeit goods and piracy of discs, computer programs, etc.