Smuggling

Places to visit

Smuggling

Customs duties
In the mid-18th century, the British government was fighting colonial wars against France in North America and India. Money was needed to pay for wars, so heavy taxes were levied on imported luxury goods like lace, brandy, gin, coffee and tea. At the same time, sailors along the Channel coast had fallen on hard times, and were glad to earn good money smuggling these goods across the channel from France and the Netherlands.

French customs officials in a frontier post...

Places to visit:
Museum of Customs & Frontiers - Helstrud nr.Maubeuge

Related background information
Gin
Lace
Napoleon
Today's Flanders

Home
Back
Map
A-Z

www.theotherside.co.uk © Copyright 2000 Invicta Media Last updated 12th May 2000

	Customs duties In the mid-18th century, the British government was fighting colonial wars against France in North America and India. Money was needed to pay for wars, so heavy taxes were levied on imported luxury goods like lace, brandy, gin, coffee and tea. At the same time, sailors along the Channel coast had fallen on hard times, and were glad to earn good money smuggling these goods across the channel from France and the Netherlands.
French customs officials in a frontier post...

	Places to visit: Museum of Customs & Frontiers - Helstrud nr.Maubeuge
	Related background information Gin Lace Napoleon Today's Flanders