Customs at a Distance and Abstract Police: Theoretical and Empirical Perspectives on Customs Risk Management

In today's globalized world, national customs agencies face expanding responsibilities that extend far beyond their traditional role as revenue collectors. Increasingly, customs are made responsible of securing society from harmful threats, while recent trade developments place additional pressure on customs to minimize disruptions to the supply chain. Belgian customs authorities now operate within this delicate balance, utilizing advanced risk management techniques to address security concerns while facilitating trade. This paper explores how Belgian customs have embraced data-driven methods to enhance their customs control practices, moving towards a model of `customs at a distance' and `abstract police' as described in literature. Drawing on empirical data, including semi-structured interviews and fieldnotes, this paper examines the experiences of Belgian customs officers with risk management through these fundamental perspectives, analyzing the challenges posed by these transformed customs practices, including their implications on knowledge, autonomy, and inter-organizational relations within the customs administration. Through this analysis, the study provides valuable insights into the risk practices of customs, underscoring their key role in today's security environment. In an era of accelerating global trade and increasingly sophisticated criminal networks, customs authorities remain on the frontline, adapting their practices to meet the demands of a rapidly changing security landscape.