Happy 231st birthday to the U.S. Customs Service! Over two centuries ago, a newly independent America established 59 customs collections districts in the 11 states that ratified the new Constitution – creating the U.S. Customs Service.
The first U.S. Congress created the Service as a way to offset Revolutionary War debt and to fund America in its infancy. By 1800, Customs was responsible for 88% of U.S. federal revenue. Two hundred and thirty-one years later, as the second largest revenue collector for the U.S. government today, U.S. Customs and Border Protection keeps this legacy alive as we continue to protect U.S. consumers and businesses and drive America’s economic competitiveness.
