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 Customs Officials

Customs Officials
Reading Level
     edHelper's suggested reading level:   grades 7 to 9
     Flesch-Kincaid grade level:   8.39

Vocabulary
     challenging words:    happening, observant, merchandise, smugglers, smuggle, oriental, banned, import, beneficial, government, official, prohibit, avoid, sale, american, foreign
     content words:    United States, Customs Inspectors, Border Protection, Homeland Security, CBP Law Enforcement Explorer Program

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Customs Officials
By Phyllis Naegeli 		  
1     Smugglers try to bring illegal items into the United States everyday. People who travel to foreign countries sometimes try to avoid paying duty taxes on items they purchase on vacation. Some people try to enter our country illegally. Who prevents these things from happening? This is the job of U.S. Customs Inspectors.
 
2     Customs officials and border patrol agents work at entry points to America. This includes airports, seaports, and our borders with Mexico and Canada. They work to prevent people from illegally entering America from foreign countries and inspect items brought into the United States. They also work to prevent illegal drugs and terrorists from coming to America. They inspect vehicles, luggage, and people. Inspectors must be very observant. Many tricks are used to smuggle both people and items into our country.
 
3     American citizens who travel to other countries also encounter customs officials. When people travel, they may purchase items to bring home. This merchandise must be declared. Customs officials inspect items and receipts to assess a duty tax. A person may bring eight hundred dollars worth of merchandise into America without paying a duty tax. Some people try to hide expensive items to avoid paying this tax. Sometimes people try to bring banned items to the U.S. Our laws prohibit certain types of plants, foods, animals, and their products from coming into our country. These laws are for our protection. Plants and foods may carry harmful insects or diseases. Customs officials check carefully to make sure proper taxes are paid and banned items do not come into our country.

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