Customs and Border Protection

Customs and Border Protection is the federal agency responsible for guarding the country’s borders and ports of entry, screening people and goods that move into the United States, and enforcing trade and immigration laws at the border. It works at land crossings, seaports, and airports, checking travelers’ documents, inspecting cargo, and collecting duties on imported goods.

Stopping illegal goods is a core part of the job, and drug interdiction is among the most visible parts of that mission. Officers use a mix of technology, intelligence, and physical inspection to intercept narcotics before they reach American communities, a task made harder by the small size and high potency of drugs like fentanyl. You can read more about How Border Agents Fight Fentanyl Smuggling.

Collecting duties on trade is another major function, since nearly everything imported into the country passes through customs review and may be subject to a tariff. Understanding how these charges work, and how they differ from ordinary taxes, helps explain both consumer prices and government revenue. See What Are Tariffs and How Do They Work?, What’s the Difference Between a Tariff and a Tax?, and So Where Does Tariff Money Go?.

Processing travelers rounds out the agency’s work, from routine passport checks to programs designed to speed up screening for frequent international travelers. Details on one such option appear in Understanding the Trusted Traveler Program.