CUSTOMS

Department of Homeland Security (DHS)

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) was created in the aftermath of the September 11, 2001 attacks.  It brings together the many departments and agencies responsible for protecting the nation from terrorist threats under a common head.  The DHS has five major divisions, or Directorates. One of these, the Border and Transportation Security (BTS) Directorate, is responsible for maintaining the security of U.S. borders and transportation systems. It is the largest of the Directorates, and is home to the Bureau of Customs & Border Protection (the former U.S. Customs Service). It also includes agencies such as the Transportation Security Administration, the border security functions of the former Immigration & Naturalization Service, and the Animal & Plant Health Inspection Service.

Customs & Border Protection (CBP)

The Bureau of Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is the successor to the U.S. Customs Service, formerly part of the U.S. Treasury Department. It is the front line agency that is responsible for enforcing more than 400 laws administered by over 40 other agencies and departments.