21. What functions does the us Customs carry out?

The customs mission is actually threefold: to collect and protect the revenue, to enforce Customs and other laws, to interdict the illegal flow of narcotics into the US.

Collection and protection of the revenue is the responsibility with which Customs started.

Most of that activity is carried out at places where commercial cargo arrives from foreign countries.

Customs examinations of cargo documents determine proper duty classification and assessment.

Customs has met its charge of interdicting the illegal flow of narcotics head on.

The investigative and enforcement branches have been increased.

Special enforcement teams have been organized.

Intelligence gathering equipment and methods have been improved.

US Customs and Border Protection officers’ mission is anti-terrorism.

They screen all people, vehicles, and goods entering the US.

This facilitate the flow of legal trade and travel into and out of the US.

Their mission also includes carrying out traditional border-related responsibilities and protecting the nation’s food supply and agriculture industry from pests and diseases.

Besides its own laws, the Service enforces over 400 laws of more than forty other federal agencies, as well as a wide range of local laws.

Many of these statutes relate to environmental interests and the quality life, other law – safeguard agriculture, business, and public health.

22.Speak about hm Customs and Excise and its functions.

A national Customs Service was established in 1203 and a duty of 1/5 was charged on all imports and exports.

For centuries the collection of customs duties was “farmed out”, when a wealthy merchant paid the monarch for the right to collect and keep the money.

But the system of “farming” was open to abuse, bribery and loss of revenue.

During the Civil War Parliament took control of the collection of customs duties.

Excise duties were first imposed in 1643 to provide money for Parliamentary forces in the Civil War.

In 1909 the Board of Excise was combined with the Board of Customs to form the Board of Customs and Excise.

Nowadays the Customs Service of the U.K. realized taxing and customs functions.

The taxing functions are to see that makers of excise goods hold the appropriate license, to register manufactures and wholesalers.

23. Speak about the role of Russian Customs nowadays.

Russia has the world’s longest border to police.

The creation of RC was complicated by the fact that after the disintegration of the USSR, the best equipped and staffed customs offices were outside Russia.

The role of RC is to be a guide for the market reforms.

Today the RF has a modern, multi-functioning Customs Service.

It is able to take a deserving place in market economy regulation.

It is also competent to help in rapprochement between Russia and the world economies.

RC has a lot of functions.

Such as fiscal function, regulation of foreign trade, collection of taxes and duties, protection of the economic interests of the country and national treasures, law enforcement and many others.

In 2006 the Russian Customs Service provided almost a half the federal budget with revenue.

There are some problems affecting the performance of Russian Customs.

The major problems are corruption, salary, countries of risk and many others.

Everyone treats the RC Service as an equal.

That’s why the RF is becoming a full and equal member of the world community.