Customs in history

From the moment the Sumerian Cities-States stopped being self-sufficient (2.500 a.C.) the exchanging of goods between them began and, later on, the import and export of their surplus' or those products in which they were specialized. Offices in charge of controlling this commerce were born and the tariffs and taxes were first paid with goods and then paid in precious metals (bronze,silver,gold etc).

Sumeria, Asiria and Greece already used these payments as a way to ensure income to the royal treasury. Troy, which is now Turkey, distinguished itself as the guardian of the Helesponto Strait in the commerce between the Egean and Black Sea (Ponto Euxino).

Aristoteles gives us an idea of the importance of the Customs Duties by saying that the regular income of the Greek states were limited to the Patrimonials, from consumer and Customs, adding that and regarding Customs imports, the Athenian State obtained its largest deposits.

In Rome, the "Portorium" goes back to the year 580 a.C, and Momsem even affirms that the Customs tax of the said name was born during the construction of the Ostia Port by the king Anco Marcio.

Various lines of Customs existed for many years within the States. In Spain they were suppressed in part by the Catholic Kings and completely by Felipe V.