The Belize Customs & Excise Department’s role and functions extend beyond that of revenue collection and trade facilitation, as it also includes protecting and securing citizens and our environment through border enforcement. As a frontline agency and its unique positioning at all border areas, the Customs & Excise Department plays an essential role in anti-money laundering and countering terrorism financing, by detecting illegal cross- border currency transaction and trade-base money laundering. The movement of illicit money often crosses borders using innovative methods, for example, trade-based transactions and concealment in vehicles, cargo, passenger baggage, and luggage and on one’s person. 

Customs embarked on a critical element to strengthen its legislation to fight against anti-money laundering and counter terrorism financing. On February 3, 2016, the Customs & Excise Department and Financial Intelligence Unit entered into a Memorandum of Understanding to strengthen cooperation for control, monitoring and reporting of currency and monetary instruments, via a currency declaration, at borders.

The signing of a MOU is part of the modern and strategic approach both organizations used to champion this fight. The Customs and Excise Department uses other internationally accepted techniques, such as risk and intelligence base approaches, and building partnership and collaboration with other customs administration, business and trading community, and other government agencies. These partnership and collaboration offer opportunities for capacity building, increase awareness, pooling of resources, reduce duplication and strengthen efforts. Other benefits of these approaches allows for information and data sharing with local, regional and international law enforcement counterparts.

The World Customs Organization (2020) refer to Customs as the gate-keepers at the international borders hence, it is Customs mandate to identify, intercept, seize and report immediately to the FIU, on any cross border movement of currencies and monetary instruments. The Customs and Excise Department continues to carry out its mission to secure and protect Belizean citizens, environment and economy by ensuring active participation in committees, working groups and task forces to combat illicit cross border activities.