Customs officers of Azerbaijan celebrate their professional holiday today

On January 30, customs workers of Azerbaijan celebrate their professional holiday.

On this day in 1992, the foundation was laid for the independent system of one of the most important state bodies ensuring revenue flow to the state treasury. For many years, this system has been preventing illegal import of various goods into the country, as well as the export of crucial strategic resources beyond its borders.

Overall, the history of the customs system in Azerbaijan is very ancient. Although its organization on a scientific and legal basis was first implemented during the times of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic, all historically existing Azerbaijani states had special institutions dealing with customs issues.

Officially, the first customs posts were established by government decree on July 12, 1918, in the villages of Salakhly and Shikhly in Gazakh district, as well as at the Poylu railway station, to protect Azerbaijan's territory from illegal trade and smuggling. On August 10, 1918, the government of Azerbaijan adopted a document that ensured the start of the customs system's operation.

According to the law adopted by the Azerbaijani parliament on August 18, 1918, 99 customs posts were established on Azerbaijan's borders to combat smuggling and protect the country's territory from illegal trade, where 992 employees served. However, the April occupation of 1920 prevented the completion of work on creating the customs system, as in other areas.

During the 71 years of the USSR's existence, Azerbaijan did not have its own customs system. These functions were performed by union bodies.