"Chuck Gould" wrote in message
oups.com...

Customs regulations are primarily designed to stop smugglers and
mission of customs is to make sure that all goods coming into the
country are taxed.


Not according to their website. http://www.customs.gov/



According to tradition. We have had the Customs service since the
1700's.

As a matter of fact, even the USCG started off as an agency to collect
taxes and tarrifs.
(Revenue cutters).


We are talking about today Chuck, not the 1700's.