His Majesty's Customs (Gibraltar) Explained

Agencyname:His Majesty's Customs (Gibraltar)
Commonname:HM Customs
Abbreviation:HM Customs
Logocaption:The logo of HM Customs Gibraltar
Flag:File:Flag of Gibraltar.svg
Flagcaption:The flag of Gibraltar
Formedyear:1750
Formedmonthday:14 May
Country:Gibraltar
Countryabbr:GIB
National:Yes
Map:Gibraltar locator map.svg
Sizearea:6.8 kmĀ²
Sizepopulation:34,000
Legaljuris:opsjuris
Governingbody:Government of Gibraltar, Ministry of Finance
Police:Yes
Local:Yes
Speciality1:Customs
Headquarters:Customs House, Waterport
Sworntype:Customs officer
Chief1name:John Payas
Chief1position:Collector of Customs
Parentagency:Ministry of Finance
Stationtype:Customs House
Lockuptype:Prison
Lockups:His Majesty's Prison, Gibraltar
Vehicle1type:Patrol car
Vehicles1:Yes
Vehicle2type:Van
Vehicles2:Yes
Boat1type:RIB
Boats1:Yes
Animal1type:Dog
Animals1:Yes
Website:https://www.hmcustoms.gov.gi/index.jsf

His Majesty's Customs (Gibraltar) are the primary customs and import authority in the British Overseas Territory of Gibraltar. It is a uniformed, enforcement body, controlled by the Ministry of Finance, Government of Gibraltar. The customs officers check commercial goods and ordinary people entering with possessions into the territory.[1]

Duties

The main purpose of HM Customs Gibraltar is to carry out customs duties at the entry points to the territory, search for suspected illegal weapons, drugs or goods, carry out basic good-import checks and requirements. To this end, both fixed posts and patrols are used.

In May 2020, they celebrated their 270 years of existence with a parade at No. 6 Convent Place and their headquarters.[2]

Collector of Customs

The Collector of Customs is the most senior customs officer and is responsible for the day-to-day leadership of the organisation.

Uniform

Customs officers, up to and including the Collector of Customs, wear a traditional British customs uniform.

The symbol of HM Customs is a portcullis, surrounded by a wreath and surmounted by a crown, representing their authority and the monarch.

For men this includes:

Formal dress:[3]

Day dress:[4] [5]

Marine dress:[6]

For women this includes; the same as above apart from the fact that the white-topped female bowler cap with capbadge and black capband is worn instead of the males' peaked cap.[7] A skirt may also be worn in lieu of trousers, in formal dress.

All medals and decorations (including medal ribbons whilst not on parade) are to be worn on the left side of the tunic.

Rank structure

The rank structure follows the UK HM Customs rank structure.

His Majesty's Customs and Excise rank insignia[8]
RankCustoms OfficerExecutive Customs OfficerSenior Customs OfficerAssistant CollectorCollector of Customs
AbbreviationCOECOSCOASCCOC
Insignia

Transport

HM Customs have marked road vehicles for customs duties, fitted with blue flashing lights and sirens. The current vehicles are dark blue, with blue and yellow markings and the HM Customs crest as well as appropriate wording.[9]

HM Customs Marine Section

The Customs of Gibraltar operate a Marine Unit, which operates two-high speed RIBs.[10] The Maritime Journal reported that "Performance patrol boat specialist FB Design has recently delivered two high speed RIBs to HM Customs in Gibraltar. Capable of speeds of over 50 knots these two RIBs are based on standard production hull designs developed by this Italian builder, but they have been fully customised to meet the requirements of the Customs".

HM Customs does carry out counter-drug operations, sometimes in conjunction with the Royal Gibraltar Police and Spanish Guardia Civil.HM Customs seizes illegal drugs and carries out deterrence operations.[11]

Social media

HM Customs have a Twitter account.

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Info Travellers. Hmcustoms.gov.gi.
  2. Archived at Ghostarchive and the Wayback Machine: Web site: HM Customs (Gibraltar) marks 270 years of service . YouTube.
  3. Web site: Opening of the Legal Year. Gibraltarpanorama.gi.
  4. Web site: Governor makes tour of inspection of HM Customs . John. Smith. euroweeklynews.com.
  5. Web site: Photographic image. JPG. C1.staticflickr.com. 29 May 2018.
  6. Web site: Photographic image. JPG. Euroweeklynews.com. 29 May 2018.
  7. Web site: Photographic image. JPG. C1.staticflickr.com. 29 May 2018.
  8. Web site: HM Customs and Excise . International Encyclopedia of Uniform Insignia around the World.
  9. Web site: Stock Photo - Customs officers cars Gibraltar at the border to Spain.
  10. Web site: Maritime Journal - RIBs for HM Customs Gibraltar. Maritimejournal.com.
  11. Web site: HM Customs Gibraltar on Twitter. Twitter.com.