Customs and Excise National Museum

The Customs & Excise Museum tells the story of contraband and smuggling. The museum holds the national collection of the Department of Customs and Excise, one of the most important collections of its type held anywhere in the world.

Besides collecting revenue, the other main role of HM Revenue and Customs is to protect society from harmful goods. This involves the challenging and exciting work of anti-smuggling against the illegal trade of drugs, weapons, endangered species, fakes, obscene material, alcohol and tobacco.

Displays look at the ingenious and often dangerous world of smuggling, prohibited goods and concealment. Discover just how far some people will go to try and avoid paying their duty!