Fonds LK-NA/62 - Department of Customs

The Customs Department was established by ordinance No.17 of 1869. There were four collectors of customs before 1869. The principal collector of customs was in charge of the Western Province, the deputy collector of customs was in charge of the Southern Province, an assistant collector of customs was in charge of the Eastern Province. After the establishment of the Customs Department the government agents of the Northern, Southern and Eastern Provinces were appointed as collectors of customs in the respective provinces. The Western and North Western Provinces were placed under the principal collector of customs.
The Customs Department is regulated under section 3 of the above-mentioned ordinance which states that the principal collector of customs shall be the general superintendent of all matters relating to customs including the collection of duties on all imports throughout the island.
The Customs Department dealt only with customs duties of imports and exports and had no control over the collection of internal revenue. He was also a member of the Legislative Council and a justice of the peace. In his capacity as principal collector of customs he was also the superintendent of wrecks and registrar of shipping and seaman