What is one of the main goals of customs enforcement?

One of the main goals of customs enforcement is to prevent illegal trade activities. This includes combating smuggling, trafficking of illegal goods, and violations of trade laws. Effective customs enforcement protects national security, economic interests, and the health and safety of consumers by ensuring that all goods entering the country comply with legal standards and regulations. By preventing illegal trade, customs authorities can help maintain fair competition for businesses that operate within legal frameworks and safeguard against potential threats that illegal goods might pose to society.

Lowering tariffs on imported goods, increasing the speed of customs processing, and promoting specific industries are all important functions of trade but do not directly align with the central purpose of customs enforcement, which focuses on compliance and regulation to ensure that all trade activities are legal and above board.