As early as 1729 with the arrival of the first Royal Governor, Sir Woodes Rodgers, a collector of Customs was appointed. In an 1854 Act of Parliament, the Customs Department and Treasury Department, (the two (2) Major Collectors of Revenue), were one department under a Receiver General.
On the 21st March, 1914, an Act was passed to establish a Customs Department separate and apart from the link with the Treasury Department. It was in this Act that the establishment of a Comptroller of Customs was commissioned. His duties were:
1. The general management and administration of the Customs Department.
2. The collection of all revenue due for any duties of Customs and payments to the Treasurer.
3. The active supervision of indoor and outdoor officers of the Customs Department.
Her Majesty’s Customs Department’s name was later officially changed to The Bahamas Customs Department with the passage of the Customs Management Act 1976. In 1989 the Customs Regulations provided for the appointment of a customs seal and flag. The flag is designed with a gold background and the Customs Crest is in the top left corner with seven (7) blue stripes extending to the outer limits.

Our Role
The key function of the Customs Department is the Collection and Protection of the Revenue of The Bahamas.
Currently, there are three specific mandates: The equitable collection of revenue, protection of The Bahamas’ borders against illicit imports and the facilitation of trade. The Customs Department carries out these functions by:
Assessing and collecting customs duties, fees, and penalties due on imports;
Interdicting and seizing contraband, including narcotics and illegal drugs;
Processing passengers, baggage, cargo and mail;
Detecting and apprehending persons engaged in fraudulent practices designed to circumvent Customs related laws;
Protecting intellectual property rights by enforcing the laws intended to prevent illegal trade practices, including provisions related to quotas; and by providing Customs Records for copyrights, patents, trademarks;
Protecting the general welfare and security of The Bahamas by enforcing import and export restrictions and prohibitions, including money laundering.
All Customs activities are governed by the Customs Management Act 2011. In addition to our duties, The Customs Department also collect additional revenue on behalf of Civil Aviation, Ministry of Tourism, Road Traffic Department, Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, other Government Ministries and Departments.
SCOPE OF RESPONSIBILITY
The scope of responsibility under the Department is immense and stretches across the archipelago of the Bahamas.
Currently, there are 32 official Ports of Entry. In addition, numerous sufferance wharfs approved by the Comptroller of Customs are located throughout The Bahamas.  This includes all Airports and Docks within these ports. Also, the Department controls all imports and exports from and to The Bahamas. Furthermore, Customs provides the initial protection at the borders from illegal drugs, contraband, firearms and all other prohibited and restricted goods
VISION
To be a world class organisation with an engaged staff that provides modernized practices to realize our mandated objectives, utilizing cutting-edge technology.
MISSION STATEMENT
Provide professional Customs services through effective utilization of modern technology, networking with stakeholders and legislation that facilitates legitimate trade while protecting our borders. 
VALUES (Seven Cs of Customs)
The seven (7) stripes represent the seven “Cs” of Customs, which is a set of moral codes that guide the individual Customs Officer:
Clean Hands, both literally and morally
Courtesy, without loss of dignity
Command attention
Clear questioning
Consult colleagues
Careful examinations
Control the situation
MANDATE
Equitable collection of revenue
Protection of The Bahamas’ borders against illicit imports
Facilitate trade

Ports of Entry
Abaco
    Marsh Harbour
Leonard M Thompson International Airport
Cherokee Air
Conch Inn Marina
Great Abaco Beach Resort Marina
Mangoes Marina
Jib Room Marina
Marsha Harbour Public Dock
Baker’s Bay Marina, Guana Cay
    Treasure Cay
Treasure Cay Airport
Treasure Cay Public Dock
Treasure Cay Marina
    Green Turtle Cay
Green Turtle Public Dock
    Sandy Point
Sandy Point Airport (Upon Request)
Sandy Point Public Dock (Upon Request)
    Spanish Cay
Spanish Cay Airport
Spanish Cay Marina
Andros
   Fresh Creek
Fresh Creek Airport
Fresh Creek Public Dock
   San Andros
San Andros Airport
San Andros Public Dock
   Congo Town
Congo Town Airport
Congo Town Airport
Berry Islands
   Great Harbour Cay
Great Harbour Cay Airport
Great Harbour Cay Marina
Bullock’s Harbour Public Dock
  Chub Cay
Chub Cay Airport
Chub Cay Marina
Bimini
South Bimini Airport
Bimini Sands Marina
South Bimini Marina
Big Game Marina
Blue Waters Marina
Brown Marina
Resort World Marina
Sea Crest Marina
Weech Marina
Resort World Sea Plane
Bimini Public Dock
    Cat Cay
Cay Marina
    Ocean Cay
Ocean Cay Airport
Ocean Cay Marina
Cat Island
New Bight Airport
Smith’s Bay Airport
Smith’s Bay Public Dock
Bennett’s Harbour Public Dock
Arthur’s Town Public Dock
Eleuthera
    Harbour Island
Harbour Island Public Dock
Harbour Island Marina
Romora Bay Marina
Valentines Marina
    Spanish Wells
Spanish Wells Public Dock
Spanish Wells Yacht Haven Marina
    North Eleuthera
North Eleuthera Airport
White Crown Aviation
    Governor’s Harbour
Governor’s Harbour International Airport
Governor’s Harbour Public Dock
French Leave
    Rock Sound
Rock Sound Airport
Princess Cay (Cruise Ship)
Half Moon Cay (Cruise Ship)
Cape Eleuthera (Restricted)
Exuma
Exuma International Airport
Exuma Public Dock
Emerald Bay Marina
Exuma Yacht Club Marina
Black Point
Black Point Airport
Black Point Public Dock
Staniel Cay
Staniel Cay Airport
Staniel Cay Dock
Grand Bahama
    Freeport
Grand Bahama International Airport
Freeport Harbour
Freeport Container Port
Bradford Marine
Xanadu Marina
Running Mon Marina
Port Lucaya Marina
Lucayan Marina Village
Lucayan Yacht Club
Grand Bahama Yacht Club
    East End
South Riding Point
   Grand Cay & West End
Blue Marlin Cove Marina
Old Bahama Bay Marina
West End Airport (Restricted)
Inagua
Inagua Airport
Inagua Public Dock
Long Island
    Stella Maris
Stella Maris Airport
Stella Maris Public Dock
Stella Maris Marina
Simms Public Dock
Salt Pond Public Dock
Clarence Town Public Dock
Deadman’s Cay Airport
New Providence
Lynden Pindling International Airport
Arawak Container Port
Prince George Dock
East Bay Yacht Basin
Harbour Central Marina
Lyford Cay Marina
Nassau Harbour Club
Nassau Yacht Haven
Southwest Bay Dolphins
Kelly’s Dock
Atlantis Marina
Texaco Harbour View Marina
Albany Marina
San Salvador
San Salvador Airport
San Salvador Public Dock
Riding Rock Marina

Administration – responsible for human resources, accounts and training.
Airports – passenger/cargo airlines
Bonded Matters– responsible for bonded goods, goods under concession, bonds and temporary imports.
Commonwealth Brewery – responsible for manufacturing of beverages.
Entry Checking Section– responsible for processing of documents entering and leaving.
Examinations Section– responsible for examination of direct delivery (containers).
Intelligence Section– deals with risk management.
Information Technology Unit – responsible for the department’s IT services
Internal Audit – responsible for all audits done internally
PCA-Post Clearance Audit – deals with post audits of declarations submitted.
Marine Unit– deals with the patrolling of waterways and marinas.
Canine Unit – deals with searching for contraband within shipments.
Investigation Section – is concerned with fraud and falsification of documents.
Queries and Refunds Section – is concerned with over / underpayment of customs duty.
Temporary Imports – responsible for all cargo entered on a temporary basis that is going to be re-exported
Docks – clearing inward and outwards of cargo vessels
Parcel Post– deals with the clearing of small packages at Post Office
Rules of Origin– deals with preferential rates from the EPA agreement
Releasing – deals with the releasing of completed cargo
Revenue Recovery Unit– Collections Department
Manifest Control/Warehouse – deals with warehousing of unentered goods
Tax Compliance – deals with the verification of approval of all Tax Compliances
Tariff Matters – deals with HS Codes verification and rulings
Training – mandated to train all with up to date technology and practices
Archives – storage of completed documents
Procurements & Logistics – purchasing department
Valuation Section – Verification of value / prices of goods.
Enforcement – The Investigation or Preventive Division of The Bahamas Customs Department was established to ensure compliance with the Customs Management Act 1976.Short Description

The Bahamas has been a member of the World Customs Organization since August 16, 1974. Since becoming a member of the organization the country of benefited from technical expertise and advice from the organization.
The World Customs Organization (WCO), established in 1952 as the Customs Co-operation Council (CCC) is an independent intergovernmental body whose mission is to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of Customs administrations.
Today, the WCO represents 183 Customs administrations across the globe that collectively process approximately 98% of world trade. As the global centre of Customs expertise, the WCO is the only international organization with competence in Customs matters and can rightly call itself the voice of the international Customs community.
The WCO’s governing body – the Council – relies on the competence and skills of a Secretariat and a range of technical and advisory committees to accomplish its mission. The Secretariat comprises over 100 international officials, technical experts and support staff of some nationalities.
As a forum for dialogue and exchange of experiences between national Customs delegates, the WCO offers its Members a range of Conventions and other international instruments, as well as technical assistance and training services provided either directly by the Secretariat, or with its participation. The Secretariat also actively supports its Members in their endeavors to modernize and build capacity within their national Customs administrations.
Besides the vital role played by the WCO in stimulating the growth of legitimate international trade, its efforts to combat fraudulent activities are also recognized internationally. The partnership approach championed by the WCO is one of the keys to building bridges between Customs administrations and their partners. By promoting the emergence of an honest, transparent and predictable Customs environment, the WCO directly contributes to the economic and social well-being of its Members.
Finally, in an international environment characterized by instability and the ever-present threat of terrorist activity, the WCO’s mission to enhance the protection of society and the national territory, and to secure and facilitate international trade, takes on its full meaning.
Recently, The Bahamas Customs Department has taken full advantage of the developing relationship with the WCO. On March 22nd, 2018, a WCO training program was launched by the Bahamas Customs & Excise Department. The Program, funded by the Inter-American Development Bank, consists of 26 missions over a two-year period and comprises of three components: organizational development, human resources and governance. Thus far, courses such as Gulf CBR and Data Modeling have been offered. As the Bahamas aims to join the World Trade Organization (WTO) within two years, this Program is also intended to prepare the country for WTO accession.