The Belize Customs and Excise Department marked International Customs Day with a public information fair at Battlefield Park in Belize City on January 27, 2026. The event featured collaborative displays from key national agencies including the Belize Agricultural Health Authority, Belize Port Authority, and the Statistical Institute of Belize.\n\nComptroller Estella Bailey-Leslie used the occasion to honor twenty customs officers receiving the World Customs Organization’s Award of Merit for exemplary service. In her address, Bailey-Leslie emphasized the dual mission of her department: facilitating legitimate trade while protecting national security.\n\nRecent operational statistics reveal the department’s significant impact—customs officials intercepted thousands of undeclared and prohibited items throughout 2025 while simultaneously collecting millions in government revenue, exceeding financial projections. The department processed tens of thousands of import and export declarations, demonstrating both efficiency and effectiveness in trade facilitation.\n\nThe year’s theme, \”Customs Protecting Society Through Vigilance and Commitment,\\” reflects the expanding responsibilities of modern customs operations. Beyond revenue collection, officers confront increasingly sophisticated threats including illicit drugs, firearms trafficking, counterfeit goods, and complex financial schemes.\n\nComptroller Bailey-Leslie congratulated the award recipients, encouraging them to \”continue to strive for excellence in both personal and professional endeavors and inspire others to do the same.\” The celebration underscored that customs work extends far beyond financial collection, encompassing daily vigilance and security protection for all Belizeans.