Introduction and Overview

• Author: John B. Brew, Brandi B. Frederick, Christopher H. Skinner
• Pages: 1-9

CHAPTER 1

Introduction and Overview

JOHN B. BREW, BRANDI B. FREDERICK,

CHRISTOPHER H. SKINNER1

If government agencies possess certain characteristics like people, as the wise

author of the introduction to the f irst edition of this book suggested, then it is

only natural that government agencies evolve. Over the years, U.S. Customs and

Border Protection (CBP)2 has adapted to the rapidly changing global economy

and risks. Some of these changes have occurred slowly through time, while oth-

ers have occurred quickly. Not surprisingly, then, there have been many changes

at CBP since its inception in 789 and since the first edition of this book in 2009.

Despite these changes, CBP has maintained a certain core DNA—characteristics,

such as the collection of revenue, that have remained throughout its history. In

the end, whether it is adapting to change or maintaining its core mission, CBP’s

functions reflect the environment within which it works.

Customs has played a significant role in the development of our country.

The first major act of Congress in 789 established the U.S. Customs Service.3

Our fledging country needed to generate revenue to pay war debts. Prior to 789,

each state collected customs duties, and only remitted what it deemed necessary

to the federal treasury. Our founding fathers realized that uniform and consistent

revenue collection was required to support the government.

The Tariff Act of 789 was significant in a number of ways. First, it shifted

power from the states to the federal government. Money is power. For years CBP

was one of the most powerful federal agencies. Not only was it the first f ully

formed agency, effectively setting the precedent on how other federal agencies

would function, but it remained the largest source of federal revenue until the

income tax laws were passed in 93. To appreciate the significance of Customs’

role all you have to do is visit some of the older customs houses at ports around

the country (New York, New Orleans, Charleston, and Philadelphia); these

large majestic buildings are symbols of customs’ importance. Customs off icials

were some of the most powerful and prominent people in government. Former

Customs officials included presidents Ulysses S. Grant and Chester Arthur and

authors Herman Melville and Nathaniel Hawthorne.4

Second, the Tariff Act of 789 provided the basic framework for Customs’

core functions as an agency, namely how goods are admitted into the commerce

of the United States and how duties are collected. The Tariff Act of 789 pro-

vided the four basic elements that define customs functions that still exist today:

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