# Border guard

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Government service concerned with security of national borders

Not to be confused with [Immigration officer](/source/Immigration_officer).

This article is about border guards in general. For specific agencies, see [Border Guard (disambiguation)](/source/Border_Guard_(disambiguation)).

"Border patrol" redirects here. For other uses, see [Border Patrol (disambiguation)](/source/Border_Patrol_(disambiguation)).

[Finnish Border Guards](/source/Finnish_Border_Guard) in 1967

A **border guard** of a country is a [national security](/source/National_security) agency that ensures [border security](/source/Border_security). Some of the national border guard agencies also perform [coast guard](/source/Coast_guard) (as in [Germany](/source/Federal_Police_(Germany)), [Italy](/source/Guardia_di_Finanza) or [Ukraine](/source/State_Border_Guard_Service_of_Ukraine)) and [rescue service](/source/Search_and_rescue) duties.

## Name and uniform

In different countries, names of particular border guard services vary significantly. The service may be called "**police**", "**guard**", "**troops**" or "**sentinel**" and the name would refer to the nation's official term for the state border - whether it is "**frontier**" or "**border**".

Most border guards of the world use dark green-colored elements on their uniform, insignia or flags.

## Tasks

### Peacetime duties

[Chinese](/source/People's_Armed_Police) border guards' booth on the sea coast in [Guangdong](/source/Guangdong).

Typical tasks of a border guard are:

- Controlling and guarding a nation's borders and protecting national borders;

- Controlling border crossing persons, vehicles, and travel documents;

- Preventing illegal border crossing of persons, vehicles, cargoes and other goods;

- Controlling transportation of prohibited and limited items (e.g. weapons, ammunition, toxic substances, [narcotics](/source/Narcotics)) over the national border;

- Supervising and controlling the observation of foreigner residence regulations, visa regime;

- Preventing the illegal movement of goods and other art across the nation's borders, bypassing customs control;

- Investigating cases related to offenses against the national border.

- Systematic and permanent observation of the state border space, from land, sea or air, by visual, electronic or other modern means of surveillance and protection, with the purpose of detecting, alerting and / or preventing possible violations in the international limit; It also involves verification and reporting on the maintenance and conservation of border markers.

- Prevent criminals, escapees from prisons or fugitives from the internal justice of the country evade and flee to other nations to evade the action of national justice

- Exchange all types of information and cooperate with other national agencies and counterparts in other countries, as well as with international organizations specializing in migration, border control, customs control, sanitary control, phytosanitary control and security to assist in the implementation of actions against the illicit trafficking of migrants, trafficking in persons, crimes related to transnational organized crime, terrorism, illegal trafficking in arms and explosives, corruption, drug trafficking and against the diversion, for illegal purposes, of dual-use goods and other activities related

- [Immigration](/source/Immigration_control) control duties.

- The border guard may also perform [customs](/source/Customs).

### Wartime duties

During wartime more militarized border guard services may be transferred to be under the control of a country's armed forces, if it is not so already.

## Border guards by country

### Australia

Main article: [Australian Border Force](/source/Australian_Border_Force)

The **Australian Border Force** (**ABF**), is a part of the [Department of Home Affairs](/source/Department_of_Home_Affairs_(Australia)), responsible for offshore and onshore [border control](/source/Border_control) enforcement, investigations, compliance and [detention](/source/Immigration_detention_in_Australia) operations in Australia. The Force was established on 1 July 2015 merging the [Australian Customs and Border Protection Service](/source/Australian_Customs_and_Border_Protection_Service) with the immigration detention and compliance functions of the then [Department of Immigration and Border Protection](/source/Department_of_Home_Affairs_(Australia)).

The ABF is a [law enforcement agency](/source/Law_enforcement_agency) operating under the Australian Border Force Act 2015 with broadened legislative powers including the introduction of sworn officers.[1] A new uniform was introduced and following the transition there was increase in the number of officers authorised to carry firearms.[2][3]

### Bangladesh

Main article: [Border Guard Bangladesh](/source/Border_Guard_Bangladesh)

A Bangladesh Rifles (now [Border Guard Bangladesh](/source/Border_Guard_Bangladesh)) Senior Warrant Officer (left in yellow/green outfit) applies a mechanical advantage control/hold to a US Marine during training.

***Border Guard Bangladesh*** (BGB) is a paramilitary border security and anti-smuggling force under the Ministry of Home Affairs of [Bangladesh](/source/Bangladesh). BGB can trace back its origin to the establishment of the Ramgarh Local Battalion in 1795. This force is armed and although its primary duty is to protect the border, during national emergencies it can also be called upon to aid the government.

### Canada

Main article: [Canada Border Services Agency](/source/Canada_Border_Services_Agency)

CBSA Inland Enforcement Officers

[Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA)](/source/Canada_Border_Services_Agency) is a law enforcement agency of the [Department of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness](/source/Public_Safety_Canada). Created in 2003, it amalgamated the enforcement activities performed by three separate government entities ([Canada Customs and Revenue Agency](/source/Canada_Customs_and_Revenue_Agency), [Citizenship and Immigration Canada](/source/Citizenship_and_Immigration_Canada) and the [Canadian Food Inspection Agency](/source/Canadian_Food_Inspection_Agency)). Traditionally unarmed, the arming of Border Services Officers, Investigators, and Inland Enforcement Officers began in 2007 and was completed in 2016. Officers are found at entry points to Canada (airports, marine entry points, and [land border](/source/Canada%E2%80%93United_States_border) [crossing points](/source/List_of_Canada%E2%80%93United_States_border_crossings) with the United States).

### Czech Republic

Alien Police Service is a highly specialized unit of the police of the Czech Republic, which carries out functions relating to the detection of illegal migration, application of punitive measures against foreigners staying in the Czech Republic in violation of the law no. 326/1999 Coll. On the residence of foreigners in the Czech Republic and amending certain laws, as amended laws, the tasks arising from international agreements and directly applicable European Community legislation and solving the crimes committed in connection with the crossing of the state border and cross-border crime. The Alien Police Service was established by the Ministry of Interior no. 67/2008 establishing units of the Police of the Czech Republic nationwide.

Alien Police of the Czech Republic is divided into:

**Alien Police Service Directorate** - is within the specified range managing, methodological and control department with jurisdiction throughout the Czech Republic and is directly subordinate to the Police Presidium of the Czech Republic

**Alien Police Unions** in the regional directorates of individual regions

- Department of residence controls, search and escort

- Department of residence matters

- Department documents and specialized activities

- Documentation Department

- Department of International Relations (only in border areas)

### Egypt

The [Egyptian Border Guard](/source/Egyptian_Border_Guard_Corps) is under the control of the [Ministry of Defence (Egypt)](/source/Ministry_of_Defence_(Egypt)). The Border Guard is a lightly armed [paramilitary](/source/Paramilitary) unit of about 25,000 personnel, responsible for border surveillance, general peacekeeping, drug interdiction, and prevention of smuggling. During the late 1980s, the force was equipped with remote sensors, [night-vision](/source/Night_vision_goggles) binoculars, communications vehicles, and high-speed motorboats.

### Finland

The [Finnish Border Guard](/source/Finnish_Border_Guard) ([Finnish](/source/Finnish_language): *Rajavartiolaitos*; [Swedish](/source/Swedish_language): *Gränsbevakningsväsendet*), including the [coast guard](/source/Coast_guard), is the agency responsible for [border control](/source/Border_control) related to persons, including passport control and border patrol. The Border Guard is a paramilitary organization, subordinate to the Ministry of the Interior in administrative issues and to the President of the Republic in issues pertaining to the president's authority as Commander-in-Chief (e.g. officer promotions). The [Finland-Russia border](/source/Finland-Russia_border) is a controlled border, routinely patrolled and protected by a [border zone](/source/Border_zone) enforced by the Border Guard. Borders to Norway and Sweden are [open borders](/source/Open_border), but the Border Guard maintains personnel in the area owing to its search and rescue (SAR) duties. There are two coast guard districts for patrolling maritime borders. The Border Guard has also detachments posted at ports and airports. In peacetime, the Border Guard trains [special forces](/source/Special_forces) and [light infantry](/source/Light_infantry) and can be incorporated fully or in part into the [Finnish Defence Forces](/source/Finnish_Defence_Forces) when required by defence readiness. The Border Guard has police and investigative powers in immigration matters and can independently investigate immigration violations. The Border Guard has search and rescue (SAR) duties, both maritime and inland. The Guard operates SAR helicopters that are often used in inland SAR, in assistance of a local fire and rescue department or other authorities. The Border Guard shares border control duties with [Finnish Customs](/source/Finnish_Customs), which inspects arriving goods, and the [Finnish Police](/source/Finnish_Police), which enforces immigration decisions such as removal.

### France

Main articles: [Directorate-General of Customs and Indirect Taxes](/source/Directorate-General_of_Customs_and_Indirect_Taxes) and [Direction centrale de la police aux frontières](/source/Direction_centrale_de_la_police_aux_fronti%C3%A8res)

The French *Direction générale des douanes et droits indirects*, Directorate-General of Customs and Indirect Taxes is a law enforcement civilian agency responsible for levying indirect taxes, preventing smuggling, surveilling borders and investigating counterfeit money. The agency acts as a coast guard, border guard, sea rescue organisation and a customs service. Though it is a civilian service, agents are armed. In France, it is commonly known as "les douanes", which means customs ("la douane" is a border checkpoint). Agents are referred to as "douaniers", which means customs officers. In the French legal standards, the prosecution carries the burden of proof since the defendant is presumed innocent; but in customs procedures, the defendant carries the burden of proof.

[French Border Police](/source/French_Border_Police), *Police aux frontières* or *PAF* (former *Police de l'air et des frontières*), also have to monitor the borders and conduct checks in some parts.

### Germany

Main article: [Federal Police (Germany)](/source/Federal_Police_(Germany))

[East German border guard](/source/Border_Troops_of_the_German_Democratic_Republic) [Konrad Schumann](/source/Konrad_Schumann) jumping the border in 1961

In Germany, the Federal Police, a civilian agency subordinated to the [Ministry of Interior](/source/Federal_Ministry_of_the_Interior_(Germany)), is - besides other duties - responsible for border control tasks. Until 2005, the Federal Police was called [Federal Border Guard](/source/Bundesgrenzschutz), and originally was a paramilitary organisation having [mandatory service](/source/Compulsory_Border_Guard_Service) in the 1970s, but had its military rank structure changed into a civilian one in the 1970s and lost its [wartime](/source/State_of_Defence_(Germany)) [combatant](/source/Combatant) status in the 1990s.

#### State Border Guard

The [German state](/source/State_of_Germany) of [Bavaria](/source/Bavaria) reestablished its [State Border Police](/source/Bavarian_Border_Police) in the aftermath of the [European migrant crisis](/source/European_migrant_crisis) in 2018 again, after it was merged into the [Bavarian State Police](/source/Bavarian_State_Police) in 1998 because of the [Schengen Agreement](/source/Schengen_Agreement).

### Ghana

In October 1964, the [Border Guard Unit](/source/Border_Guard_Unit) was formed as a police unit led by an assistant commissioner of police. The BGU acted as customs agents examining passengers and baggage aboard ships and aircraft.[4][5] It forms part of the [Ghana Revenue Authority](/source/Ghana_Revenue_Authority). The primary operation of BGU is the detection and apprehension of [illegal aliens](/source/Illegal_aliens) as well as smugglers of aliens at or near the land borders.[6]

### Hong Kong

Border guards in [Hong Kong](/source/Hong_Kong) consists of two civilian agencies:

- [Customs and Excise](/source/Customs_and_Excise_Department_(Hong_Kong)) officers handling customs duties at ports, airports and land crossing.

- [Immigration](/source/Immigration_Department_(Hong_Kong)) officers handle people entering ports, airport (1) and land crossings (6) with mainland China.

[Hong Kong Police Force](/source/Hong_Kong_Police_Force) officers patrol the border with mainland China, but they are not border guards at entry points. Prior to 1995, this role was performed by [British Army](/source/British_Army) units stationed in [Hong Kong](/source/Hong_Kong).

Various police checkpoint booths (boundary crossing) are found along roads and are in the outside Closed Areas. Staffed by uniformed Hong Kong Police officers, vehicle occupants must present papers and/or permits in order to proceed to the border. These officers act as informal border guards, which do not exist in Hong Kong as there is no international boundary with mainland China.

All three border agencies are responsibilities of the [Security Bureau](/source/Security_Bureau_(Hong_Kong)).

### Hungary

In Hungary border control belongs to [police](/source/Law_enforcement_in_Hungary) since 2007. There is no different organization for this role. Policemen serving on the border have the very same uniform as those inside the country. Previously the Frontier Guard or Border Guard was a separate agency, the [Border Guard](/source/Border_Guard_of_Hungary).

### Kyrgyzstan

The [Frontier Forces](/source/State_Border_Guard_Service_of_Kyrgyzstan) are responsible for the border security of [Kyrgyzstan](/source/Kyrgyzstan). The Frontier Forces are commanded by the [interior ministry](/source/Interior_ministry), but are officially part of the [military of Kyrgyzstan](/source/Military_of_Kyrgyzstan). They had many disagreements of the [Frontier Service](/source/Uzbekistan_Frontier_Service) of [Uzbekistan](/source/Uzbekistan) and had a military drill with China in August 2013.

### India

The [Border Security Force](/source/Border_Security_Force) (BSF) is India's largest border patrol agency and is the largest border guarding force of the world. Established in December 1965 in the aftermath of the [Second Indo Pakistani War](/source/Indo-Pakistani_War_of_1965) after the [Central Reserve Police Force](/source/Central_Reserve_Police_Force), the [Rajasthan Armed Constabulary](/source/Rajasthan_Armed_Constabulary) and the [Punjab Armed Police](/source/Punjab_Police_(India)) were relieved from their duties of guarding the [Indo-Pakistani Border](/source/India%E2%80%93Pakistan_border) in the regions of [Jammu and Kashmir](/source/Jammu_and_Kashmir_(union_territory)), [Rajasthan](/source/Rajasthan) and [Punjab](/source/Punjab%2C_India) respectively.[7] It is a component of the [Central Armed Police Forces](/source/Central_Armed_Police_Forces) (CAPFs).[8] It has been guarding the [India-Pakistan Border](/source/India-Pakistan_Border) since 1965 and the [Indo-Bangladeshi Border](/source/Bangladesh%E2%80%93India_border) since 1971, when the Bangladesh gained independence after [Bangladesh Liberation War](/source/Bangladesh_Liberation_War).[9] The BSF is controlled by the [Ministry of Home Affairs](/source/Ministry_of_Home_Affairs_(India))[8] and is headed by an [Indian Police Service](/source/Indian_Police_Service) Officer.[10]

The [Indo-Tibetan Border Police](/source/Indo-Tibetan_Border_Police) (ITBP) is an Indian border patrol force conceived on October 24, 1962, which is responsible for patrolling India's 2115 kilometer border with the [Tibet Autonomous Region](/source/Tibet_Autonomous_Region) of China. Although it previously patrolled the borders with the help of the [Assam Rifles](/source/Assam_Rifles) it has been the sole border patrol agency for the entire border since 2002 when it took over the border guarding responsibilities from [Assam Rifles](/source/Assam_Rifles) in the states of [Arunachal Pradesh](/source/Arunachal_Pradesh) and [Sikkim](/source/Sikkim).Like the BSF it is also a Central Armed Police Force controlled by the [Ministry of Home Affairs](/source/Ministry_of_Home_Affairs_(India)).[11]

The Central Armed Police Force, [Sashastra Seema Bal](/source/Sashastra_Seema_Bal) (SSB) guards the [India–Nepal border](/source/India%E2%80%93Nepal_border) and the [Bhutan–India border](/source/Bhutan%E2%80%93India_border).[12]

The [Assam Rifles](/source/Assam_Rifles) (AR) is another Central Armed Police Force tasked which has border patrol duties. It is tasked with guarding the [India–Myanmar border](/source/India%E2%80%93Myanmar_border).The Assam Rifles is also controlled by the Ministry of Home Affairs, however the operational control of the AR is exercised by the [Indian Army](/source/Indian_Army).[13]

### Indonesia

Indonesian [Customs](/source/Directorate_General_of_Customs_and_Excise_(Indonesia)) officers from the "Customs Tactical Unit" (CTU)

Border security in [Indonesia](/source/Indonesia) are conducted:

- At [seaports](/source/Seaport), [airports](/source/Airport) and land crossings : [Customs](/source/Directorate_General_of_Customs_and_Excise_(Indonesia)) officers oversee traffic of goods and [Immigration](/source/Directorate_General_of_Immigration_(Indonesia)) officers oversee traffic of people.

- At land borders : To defend, guard and patrol the land borders of Indonesia with [Malaysia](/source/Malaysia) (at [Borneo](/source/Borneo)), [East Timor](/source/East_Timor), and [Papua New Guinea](/source/Papua_New_Guinea) which are mainly within dense forest and mountainous terrains is conducted by the "Border Patrol Task Force" (*Satuan Tugas Pengamanan Perbatasan* abbreviated *Satgas Pamtas*), which are tasked to the [Indonesian Army](/source/Indonesian_Army) [Infantry battalions](/source/Indonesian_Army_infantry_battalions).[14]

- At sea borders : Guarding and Patrolling of sea borders are conducted by joint-operation between [Maritime Security Agency](/source/Indonesian_Maritime_Security_Agency), [Navy](/source/Indonesian_Navy), [Coast Guard](/source/Indonesian_Sea_and_Coast_Guard), [Maritime Police](/source/Indonesian_National_Police), [Marine and Fisheries Resources Surveillance](/source/Directorate_General_of_Marine_and_Fisheries_Resources_Surveillance_(Indonesia)) and [Marine Customs](/source/Directorate_General_of_Customs_and_Excise_(Indonesia)).

### Iran

An Iranian border guard supervising trucks entering "Shalamsha Port of Entry" in [Iran–Iraq border](/source/Iran%E2%80%93Iraq_border)

The [Islamic Republic of Iran Border Guard Command](/source/Islamic_Republic_of_Iran_Border_Guard_Command) is the sole agency responsible for border patrol and control, acting under [Law Enforcement Force](/source/Law_Enforcement_Force_of_Islamic_Republic_of_Iran) (which itself is part of [Armed Forces of Iran](/source/Armed_Forces_of_the_Islamic_Republic_of_Iran)) since 2000. The agency also has [coast guard](/source/Coast_guard) duties in maritime borders. The control of entry points in airports are conducted by [Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps](/source/Islamic_Revolutionary_Guard_Corps).

### Israel

Main article: [Israel Border Police](/source/Israel_Border_Police)

The Israel Border Police operates as a [gendarmerie](/source/Gendarmerie) under the supervision of the [Israel Police](/source/Israel_Police) and was founded as part of the frontier corps before it became the Border Police.

### Italy

Italian [Guardia di Finanza](/source/Guardia_di_Finanza) K9 unit at [Malpensa](/source/Malpensa) airport.

In Italy the border police service is covered by the *[Guardia di Finanza](/source/Guardia_di_Finanza)*, part of the [Italian Armed Forces](/source/Italian_Armed_Forces) but under the operational control of the Finance Minister for its law enforcement duties; but there is also the Italian Customs Agency, a civilian administration that have the role of Customs Authority. Mostly, the Guardia di Finanza (or *Fiamme Gialle*) fight against [smuggling](/source/Smuggling), [illegal drug trafficking](/source/Illegal_drugs_trade), [tax evasion](/source/Tax_evasion) and other financial crimes, even jointly to the Customs Agency. The [Immigration and Border Police](/source/Polizia_di_Stato#Immigration_and_Border_Police) also performs passport checks.

### Latvia

Main article: [State Border Guard](/source/State_Border_Guard)

In Latvia the State Border Guard is in charge of protecting the border of the country. The armed organization is subordinate to the [Ministry of the Interior.](/source/List_of_Ministers_of_the_Interior_of_Latvia)

### Lithuania

Main article: [State Border Guard Service (Lithuania)](/source/State_Border_Guard_Service_(Lithuania))

The State Border Guard Service is the organisation charged with controlling and maintaining the Lithuanian Border. The State Border Guard Service falls under authority of the Ministry of the Interior, which supervises and controls the implementation of border guard policy.

### Macau

Border patrol and immigration control in Macau are conducted by [Public Security Police Force of Macau](/source/Public_Security_Police_Force_of_Macau) at land entries (4) with China and at [Macau International Airport](/source/Macau_International_Airport). Customs duties are performed by Macau Customs agency. Both border guards and customs officers are responsibilities of the [Secretariat for Security](/source/Secretariat_for_Security_(Macau)).

### Malaysia

Main article: [Immigration Department of Malaysia](/source/Immigration_Department_of_Malaysia)

[Immigration Department](/source/Immigration_Department_of_Malaysia) is part of the [Malaysian government](/source/Government_of_Malaysia) agency that was recently established in 2015 to guard the country's entry and exit points from illegal activities such as [smuggling](/source/Smuggling), [illegal migration](/source/Illegal_immigrants_in_Malaysia) and [human trafficking](/source/Human_trafficking). Before the establishment of the agency, [Malaysian borders](/source/Borders_of_Malaysia) was guarded by the [Malaysian Armed Forces](/source/Malaysian_Armed_Forces) and [Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency](/source/Malaysian_Maritime_Enforcement_Agency).

### Netherlands

Main article: [Royal Marechaussee](/source/Royal_Marechaussee)

The Royal Marechaussee is the fourth organization within the Armed Forces, besides Army, Navy and Air Force. Besides patrolling the border it also has the function of Military Police and protects the [Royal Family](/source/Monarchy_of_the_Netherlands).

### North Korea

Border Security Command and Coastal Security Bureau are collectively responsible for restricting unauthorized cross-border (land and sea) entries and exits, in the early 1990s the bureaus responsible for border security and coastal security were transferred from the [Ministry of State Security (North Korea)](/source/Ministry_of_State_Security_(North_Korea)) to the [Ministry of People's Armed Forces](/source/Ministry_of_People's_Armed_Forces). Sometime thereafter, the Border Security Bureau was enlarged to corps level and renamed the Border Security Command. Previously headquartered in Chagang Province, the Border Security Command was relocated to Pyongyang in 2002.[15]

### Pakistan

Two [Pakistan Rangers](/source/Pakistan_Rangers) at Wagah border.

The [Frontier Corps](/source/Frontier_Corps) (FC) ([Urdu](/source/Urdu_language): فرنٹیئرکور) are four [federal paramilitary forces](/source/Civil_Armed_Forces) recruited mostly from the tribal areas and led by officers from the [Pakistan Army](/source/Pakistan_Army). The FC are stationed in the [Khyber Pakhtunkhwa](/source/Khyber_Pakhtunkhwa) and [Balochistan](/source/Balochistan_(Pakistan)) provinces. There are four distinct forces, known as [FC Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (North)](/source/Frontier_Corps_Khyber_Pakhtunkhwa_(North)), [FC Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (South)](/source/Frontier_Corps_Khyber_Pakhtunkhwa_(South)), [FC Balochistan (North)](/source/Frontier_Corps_Balochistan_(North)), and [FC Balochistan (South)](/source/Frontier_Corps_Balochistan_(South)). Each force is run by an "[inspector general](/source/Inspector_general)" who is a regular Pakistani Army officer of at least [major-general](/source/Major-general) rank, although the forces are officially part of the [Interior Ministry](/source/Ministry_of_Interior_(Pakistan)).[16]

The [Pakistan Rangers](/source/Pakistan_Rangers) are a pair of paramilitary forces under the control of the Ministry of the Interior. In 1995 the Pakistan Rangers divided into two parts; the [Rangers Punjab](/source/Punjab_Rangers) headquartered in [Lahore](/source/Lahore) and the [Rangers Sindh](/source/Sindh_Rangers) headquartered in [Karachi](/source/Karachi). The two forces now have different uniforms and chains of command. They are both part of the [Civil Armed Forces](/source/Civil_Armed_Forces). There is a third corps headquarters in [Islamabad](/source/Islamabad) but it is only for units transferred from the other corps for duties in the federal capital.

### Panama

The [National Border Service](/source/National_Border_Service) also called SENAFRONT (abbreviation for *Servicio Nacional de Fronteras*) is a police force specialized in the land border area and branch of the [Panamanian Public Forces](/source/Panamanian_Public_Forces). Its mission is to protect Panama's land borders and protect its sovereignty and territorial integrity and protect rights and freedoms of people, maintain public order, prevent and investigate crimes within their jurisdictions.[17]

Created in 2008, it is the border guard branch of the Panamanian Public Forces.

### Russia

Main article: [Border Guard Service of Russia](/source/Border_Guard_Service_of_Russia)

A border guard outpost in [Dagestan](/source/Dagestan), Russia

The Border Guard Service of Russia is (since 2003) an agency of the [Federal Security Service](/source/Federal_Security_Service_(Russia)). The agency considers itself a direct successor of the [Soviet Border Troops](/source/Soviet_Border_Troops), and regularly celebrates the anniversary of the founding of the latter (May 28, 1918).[18] This annual event, known as the Border Guards Day, is celebrated every year by the guards in active service as well as former servicemen in [Moscow](/source/Moscow) and throughout the country.[18]

Future world champion and Olympic [sport shooter](/source/Sport_shooter) [Boris Polak](/source/Boris_Polak) served as a border guard in the [Red Army](/source/Red_Army) on a mountain top near China, attaining the rank of colonel.[19]

### Serbia

The **Border Units** (**Граничне Јединице**) were the military border guard of Serbia, until their disbandment on 1 February 2007. The Border Units consisted of 17 battalions, totaling between 5,500 and 7,000 personnel. They were spread out over more than a hundred border posts. The fittest conscripts were assigned to the Border Units, and underwent training similar to [Special Forces](/source/Special_forces_of_Serbia). Under Serbian and also Yugoslav law, the Border Units were the only military formations that were allowed to conduct combat operations during peacetime.

Today the border is guarded by the units of the [Ministry of Internal Affairs](/source/Ministry_of_Internal_Affairs_(Serbia)), specifically the Border [Police](/source/Police_of_Serbia). Their tasks are defined as: monitoring of the state border, increasing the level of security on [airports](/source/List_of_airports_in_Serbia) and international waterways on the [Danube](/source/Danube), [Sava](/source/Sava), and [Tisa](/source/Tisa) rivers, suppression of cross-border crime, risk analysis, controlling the movement and stay of foreigners, and operation of border crossings.

### Singapore

Main articles: [Immigration and Checkpoints Authority](/source/Immigration_and_Checkpoints_Authority), [Singapore Customs](/source/Singapore_Customs), and [Police Coast Guard (Singapore)](/source/Police_Coast_Guard_(Singapore))

As an island, Singapore is surrounded by water and does not share land borders with other countries.

The Border control at [Changi Airport](/source/Changi_Airport), [Seletar Airport](/source/Seletar_Airport), [Singapore Cruise Centre](/source/Singapore_Cruise_Centre), [Marina Bay Cruise Centre Singapore](/source/Marina_Bay_Cruise_Centre_Singapore), [Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal](/source/Tanah_Merah_Ferry_Terminal), [Marina South Pier](/source/Marina_South_Pier), [Tuas Checkpoint](/source/Malaysia%E2%80%93Singapore_Second_Link), [Woodlands Checkpoint](/source/Woodlands_Checkpoint) and [Woodlands Train Checkpoint](/source/Woodlands_Train_Checkpoint), [Immigration and Checkpoints Authority](/source/Immigration_and_Checkpoints_Authority) and [Singapore Customs](/source/Singapore_Customs) control the passengers, vehicles and commodities.

Border security at Coastal area is the responsibility of the [Police Coast Guard](/source/Police_Coast_Guard_(Singapore)), a specialised division of the [Singapore Police Force](/source/Singapore_Police_Force) that monitors and enforces its maritime borders. Also [Republic of Singapore Navy](/source/Republic_of_Singapore_Navy) support [Singapore Police Force](/source/Singapore_Police_Force), [Immigration and Checkpoints Authority](/source/Immigration_and_Checkpoints_Authority) and [Singapore Customs](/source/Singapore_Customs)

### South Korea

Korea Immigration Service, a part of [Ministry of Justice](/source/Ministry_of_Justice_(South_Korea)), is responsible for protecting border control and Enforcement. Korea Immigration Service issues [Visa](/source/Visa_policy_of_South_Korea), controls traffic of Human at [Port of entry](/source/Port_of_entry) and [Immigration](/source/Immigration_to_South_Korea)

[Korea Customs Service](/source/Korea_Customs_Service), is a part of [Ministry of Economy and Finance](/source/Ministry_of_Economy_and_Finance_(South_Korea)), responsible for enforce [Customs](/source/Customs) such as [Tariff](/source/Tariff) and movement of goods at [Port of entry](/source/Port_of_entry).

### Spain

In Spain, the law enforcement agencies [Guardia Civil](/source/Guardia_Civil) and [National Police](/source/National_Police_Corps_(Spain)) are responsible for protecting the borders. There is also a specialized service of the Department of Customs and Special Taxes, the [Servicio de Vigilancia Aduanera](/source/Servicio_de_Vigilancia_Aduanera), that has some general border guard duties.

### Tajikistan

Main article: [Tajik Border Troops](/source/Tajik_Border_Troops)

The Border Troops of [Tajikistan](/source/Tajikistan), also called the Border Service, are part of the [Military of Tajikistan](/source/Military_of_Tajikistan) and answer to the [Interior Ministry](/source/Ministry_of_Internal_Affairs_(Tajikistan)). They often trained with the [Afghan Border Police](/source/Afghan_Border_Police), and jointly trained with the [military of](/source/Military_of_Kyrgyzstan) [Kyrgyzstan](/source/Kyrgyzstan) in 2011.

### Thailand

Main article: [Border Patrol Police](/source/Border_Patrol_Police)

The Border Patrol Police is [Thailand](/source/Thailand)'s police force responsible for border security and counter-insurgency, and operates as the law-enforcement arm in conjunction with [Thahan Phran](/source/Thahan_Phran), the [ranger](/source/Special_forces) paramilitary arm of the [Royal Thai Army](/source/Royal_Thai_Army).

### Turkey

Main article: [General Directorate of Customs Protection](/source/General_Directorate_of_Customs_Protection)

### United Kingdom

Main article: [Border Force](/source/Border_Force)

[HMC Valiant](/source/HMC_Valiant) with Border Force's preceding agency, [UK Border Agency](/source/UK_Border_Agency)

Border guard services are provided by the [Border Force](/source/Border_Force), a law enforcement command within the [Home Office](/source/Home_Office).[20] Border Force is responsible for immigration and customs enforcement at [ports of entry](/source/Ports_of_entry) into the UK, as well as in the UK's waters. Some [territorial police forces](/source/Territorial_police_force) on the south-east coast, such as [Kent Police](/source/Kent_Police) and [Essex Police](/source/Essex_Police)'s marine units, also carry out limited immigration functions.

The UK's only land border, that with the [Republic of Ireland](/source/Republic_of_Ireland), is not regularly patrolled by the UKBF, but is the responsibility of the [Police Service of Northern Ireland](/source/Police_Service_of_Northern_Ireland).

### United States

Main articles: [U.S. Customs and Border Protection](/source/U.S._Customs_and_Border_Protection) and [United States Border Patrol](/source/United_States_Border_Patrol)

Border Patrol Agents with a [Hummer](/source/Hummer) and [Astar](/source/Eurocopter_AS350) patrol for illegal entry into U.S.

In the United States, border control is the responsibility of the Department of Homeland Security. This jurisdictional authority is shared by [U.S. Customs and Border Protection](/source/U.S._Customs_and_Border_Protection) (the primary inspection and enforcement component), the [U.S. Coast Guard](/source/U.S._Coast_Guard) (the primary interdiction components) and [U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement](/source/U.S._Immigration_and_Customs_Enforcement) (the investigative component).

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is composed of three distinct enforcement arms: the Office of Border Patrol (OBP, otherwise known as the United States Border Patrol), the Office of Field Operations (OFO; commonly called by its former name 'Customs') and the Office of Air and Marine (OAM). OBP is tasked with securing the international border in-between the Ports of Entry (POE) and is a mobile enforcement agency that is structured and employed like any other uniformed police department in the United States. OFO is the federal law enforcement branch tasked with administering the POE's (air, land or sea) and is responsible for determining the admissibility of all persons and goods into the United States. The OAM operates all aircraft and watercraft for CBP and coordinates their interdiction efforts with either OBP, U.S. Coast Guard and/or with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

The U.S. Coast Guard is the only branch of military in the United States that is not subject to the [Posse Comitatus Act](/source/Posse_Comitatus_Act) of 1878. The reason being that both commissioned and petty officers are considered law enforcement officers with limited customs authority pursuant to 19 USC 1401.[21] U.S. Coast Guard has jurisdiction in both domestic and international waters.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has the same authority as both U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the U.S. Coast Guard, with the added jurisdiction of investigating violations that occur at both the border and the interior of the United States.

### Vietnam

[Vietnam Border Guard](/source/Vietnam_Border_Guard) (*Bộ đội Biên phòng Việt Nam*) is a branch of [Vietnam People's Army](/source/Vietnam_People's_Army) and is under command of [Ministry of Defence (Vietnam)](/source/Ministry_of_Defence_(Vietnam)). It has important roles in protecting Vietnam's sovereignty, maintaining security at land and sea borders. Vietnam Border Guard is established on 3 March 1959. It is organised into three levels: National Command, Provincial Command, and Local Post.[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*]

## See also

- [List of national border guard agencies](/source/List_of_national_border_guard_agencies)

- [Security police](/source/Security_police)

- [Coast guard](/source/Coast_guard)

- [Border outpost](/source/Border_outpost)

- [Border checkpoint](/source/Border_checkpoint)

- [Border Patrol (disambiguation)](/source/Border_Patrol_(disambiguation))

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** ["Australian Border Force Act 2015"](http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/cth/consol_act/abfa2015225/). *Austlii*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Customs_firearms_2-0)** ["Carriage of Operational Equipment by Officers of the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service – Fact"](https://web.archive.org/web/20170207122033/http://www.border.gov.au/Customsnotices/Documents/australiancustomsnotice2010-10.pdf) (PDF). *Department of Immigration and Border Protection*. Australian Customs and Border Protection. 12 March 2010. Archived from [the original](https://www.border.gov.au/Customsnotices/Documents/australiancustomsnotice2010-10.pdf) (PDF) on 7 February 2017. Retrieved 6 December 2016.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Senate_2015_3-0)** ["Immigration and Border Protection Portfolio – Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee"](http://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/search/display/display.w3p;db=COMMITTEES;id=committees%2Festimate%2Fc952e672-02c0-4a05-9274-643291cd067d%2F0001;query=Id%3A%22committees%2Festimate%2Fc952e672-02c0-4a05-9274-643291cd067d%2F0001%22). *Parliament of Australia*. Senate – Estimates. 19 October 2015. Retrieved 6 December 2016.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** The Security Act (Act 202) 1963, Ghana.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-CEPS_5-0)** The Customs, Excise and Preventive Service (Management) Law 1993, PNDCL 330.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-The_Formative_Stage_6-0)** ["The Formative Stage of the Border Patrol Unit (BPU)"](https://web.archive.org/web/20140502080632/http://www.ghanaimmigration.org/BPU2.htm). *Ghanaimmigration.org*. Archived from [the original](http://www.ghanaimmigration.org/BPU2.htm) on 2 May 2014. Retrieved 27 April 2016.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-uc_7-0)** ["Introduction Border Security Force"](https://web.archive.org/web/20150206040944/http://bsf.nic.in/en/introduction.html). *bsf.nic.in*. Archived from [the original](http://bsf.nic.in/en/introduction.html) on 2015-02-06.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-yuyu_8-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-yuyu_8-1) ["Central Armed Police Forces(CAPF) eAwas /Ministry of Home Affairs"](https://eawas.capf.gov.in/#:~:text=The%20Armed%20Police%20Organisations,%20referred,Sashastra%20Seema%20Bal%20(SSB),). *eawas.capf.gov.in*. Retrieved 2023-07-18.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** ["Home | Border Security Force"](https://www.bsf.gov.in/). *www.bsf.gov.in*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** Sharma, Rattan Chand (2023-04-21). ["High time government empowers BSF cadre officers lead the force at highest level"](https://www.indiasentinels.com/opinion/high-time-government-empowers-bsf-cadre-officers-lead-the-force-at-highest-level-5810). *India Sentinels*. Retrieved 2023-07-18.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** Philip, Snehesh Alex. ["Baptism by fire: Raised in first week of 1962 war, how ITBP has grown in size & special role"](https://theprint.in/defence/baptism-by-fire-raised-in-first-week-of-1962-war-how-itbp-has-grown-in-size-special-role/1187238/#amp_tf=From%20%251%24s&aoh=16888871224594&referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com&ampshare=https%3A%2F%2Ftheprint.in%2Fdefence%2Fbaptism-by-fire-raised-in-first-week-of-1962-war-how-itbp-has-grown-in-size-special-role%2F1187238%2F). *[The Print](/source/The_Print)*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-ssb.gov.in_12-0)** ["Archived copy"](http://webarchive.loc.gov/all/20090409223116/http%3A//www.ssb.gov.in/index.html). Archived from [the original](http://www.ssb.gov.in/index.asp?linkid=59&sublinkid=32) on 9 April 2009. Retrieved 2012-05-07.{{[cite web](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Cite_web)}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title ([link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:CS1_maint:_archived_copy_as_title))

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** ["MHA to explain functioning of Assam Rifles in northeastern states before Parliamentary panel"](https://www.aninews.in/news/national/general-news/mha-to-explain-functioning-of-assam-rifles-in-northeastern-states-before-parliamentary-panel20220525105037/). *[Asian News International](/source/Asian_News_International)*. 25 May 2022. Retrieved 1 November 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** ["1.350 Prajurit TNI Tiba di Papua untuk Pengamanan Perbatasan"](https://news.detik.com/berita/d-3501532/1350-prajurit-tni-tiba-di-papua-untuk-pengamanan-perbatasan).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-15)** ["About this Collection - Country Studies"](http://lcweb2.loc.gov/frd/cs/pdf/CS_North-Korea.pdf) (PDF).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-ha_16-0)** ["Transforming Pakistan's Frontier Corps"](https://web.archive.org/web/20080804160742/http://www.jamestown.org/terrorism/news/article.php?articleid=2370292). Archived from [the original](http://www.jamestown.org/terrorism/news/article.php?articleid=2370292) on 2008-08-04. Retrieved 2010-09-09. Abbas, Hassan, "Transforming Pakistan's Frontier Corps", article in *Terrorism Monitor*, Volume 5, Issue 6, a publication of the Jamestown Foundation, March 29, 2007, accessed November 7, 2007

1. **[^](#cite_ref-act_17-0)** [Decreto Ley No. 8 – Que crea el Servicio Nacional de Fronteras de la República de Panamá](https://www.gacetaoficial.gob.pa/pdfTemp/26109/12799.pdf) (PDF) (8) (in Spanish). República de Panamá Órgano Ejecutivo. 20 August 2008.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-necn.com_18-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-necn.com_18-1) ["Russian border guards soak up their anniversary"](https://web.archive.org/web/20080928033802/http://www.necn.com/category/32/9920). NECN. Archived from [the original](http://www.necn.com/category/32/9920) on 2008-09-28. Retrieved 2013-10-22.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-jewsinsports.org_19-0)** ["Boris Polak"](https://web.archive.org/web/20160304115222/http://www.jewsinsports.org/olympics.asp?sport=olympics&ID=127). Archived from [the original](http://www.jewsinsports.org/Olympics.asp?sport=olympics&ID=127) on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2016-08-30.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-20)** ["Border Force"](https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/border-force). *GOV.UK*. Retrieved 2021-02-21.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-21)** United States Coast Guard

## External links

Look up ***[border guard](https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Special:Search/border_guard)*** in Wiktionary, the free dictionary.

Wikimedia Commons has media related to [Border guards](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Border_guards).

- [Alien Police Service of the Czech Republic](http://www.policie.cz/sluzba-cizinecke-policie.aspx)

v t e Border protection agencies (list) Africa Algeria GNA PAF Angola PGFA SME Benin ABeGIEF DEI USSF Botswana Burkina Faso DPF DSE Burundi CGM PAFE Cameroon Cape Verde Central African Republic Chad GN GNNT PNT Comoros Democratic Republic of the Congo DGM DPF Republic of the Congo DGST DIE Côte d'Ivoire DST ONECI Djibouti Egypt Border Guard PINA Equatorial Guinea Eritrea Eswatini Ethiopia Gabon The Gambia Ghana BGU GIS Guinea Guinea Bissau Kenya BPU DIS Lesotho Liberia Libya LBG LPA Madagascar Malawi Mali DGGN DNF DPF DRGS Mauritania DGGN DST Mauritius Morocco DGSN DGST GRM Mozambique RPF SENAMI Namibia DICC NAB SFF Niger DST GN GNN Nigeria CMCF NIS Rwanda São Tomé and Príncipe Senegal DPAF DPETV DST Seychelles Sierra Leone Somalia South Africa BMA JOD SAIS SAPS South Sudan Sudan BIB GAB GDPI Tanzania Togo DGDN GNT Tunisia DGFE GNT Uganda DCIC FFU Zambia Zimbabwe DIZ PSU Asia Afghanistan Armenia AVV MS NSS SZ Azerbaijan BPQMI DMX DSX Bahrain Bangladesh BGB DIP SB Bhutan Brunei Cambodia China NIA PLAGF Border Defense Units Georgia BPG Migratsiis Politsiis SCMI Hong Kong India AR BOI BSF ITBP RR SFF SSB Indonesia Imigrasi Border Security Task Force (Satgas Pamtas) Iran BAFIA Immigration Marzbani NAJA Iraq Israel CPA Magav PIBA Yamam Yamas Japan Jordan BRD DBS Kazakhstan KQQK UQK SQ North Korea South Korea KIS ROK MP Kuwait GDLBS GDR Kyrgyzstan MCK OKMMK Laos Lebanon Macau Malaysia AKPS JIM RS Maldives Mongolia GIKG KKEG Myanmar BGF BGP MIP Nepal APF DOI Oman Border Guard DGPR Pakistan DGIP FC GB Scouts PR Palestine Philippines Qatar Border Guard GDP Saudi Arabia GDBG GDP Singapore Sri Lanka DIE NBMC Syria Border Guard BSF IAPD Republic of China (Taiwan) Tajikistan MS QS KDAM Thailand BPP IB TP Timor-Leste SM UPF Turkey GIGM Göçmen Hudut JGK Turkmenistan DMG DSG United Arab Emirates Border Guard ICA Manafth Uzbekistan DXX CQ MvaFRBB Vietnam Yemen Border Guard IPNA Europe Akrotiri and Dhekelia Albania Andorra Immigration UFE Austria BFA LPD Belarus DPK UGIM Belgium IBZ DGA Bosnia and Herzegovina GPBiH SPS Bulgaria DM GDBP Croatia UIDUP UZG Cyprus CRMD YAM Czech Republic OAMP SCP Denmark HS Politi SIRI US Estonia Police and Border Guard Board European Union Frontex Finland Migri RVL France DCPAF DGEF OFII OFPRA Germany BAMF BPOL Gibraltar BCA Greece DAM KAPS Guernsey Hungary Border Guard OIF Iceland Ireland GNIB ISD Italy DCIPF DLCI GdF L'AC Jersey Latvia PMLP RS Liechtenstein APA LaPo SBG Lithuania MD VSAT Luxembourg Immigration PGD Malta IMA MPF AFM Moldova BMA PF Monaco Montenegro Netherlands AVIM IND KMar North Macedonia Norway Grensekom GSV PU UDI UNE Poland SG UDSC Portugal AIMA Romania IGI PFR Russia GUVM PSFSB San Marino Serbia KIRS UGP Slovakia MÚ ÚHCP Slovenia SMP SUNZ Spain CGEF GC OAR SEM Sweden NOA SMA Switzerland SBG SEM Ukraine DMS DPSU United Kingdom HMPO IE UKBF UKVI Vatican City North America Antigua and Barbuda Bahamas Barbados Belize BMA DINS Canada CBSA IRCC Costa Rica DGME Fronteras Cuba BF DIIE Dominica Dominican Republic CESFRONT DGMRD FTC-1 UPF El Salvador Border Patrol DGME DISEFRO Greenland Grenada Guatemala DIPAFRONT IGM Haiti DIE POLIFRONT Honduras DNSPF INM Jamaica Mexico GN INM Nicaragua Panama APAP SENAFRONT SNM Saint Kitts and Nevis Saint Lucia Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Trinidad and Tobago United States CBP DMB ICE USBP USCIS Oceania American Samoa Australia Federated States of Micronesia Border Control Immigration Fiji BAF FID Kiribati Marshall Islands Nauru New Zealand Palau Papua New Guinea ICA PNGDF Samoa Solomon Islands Tonga Tuvalu Vanuatu BV VIS South America Argentina DNM GNA Bolivia Border Police DIGEMIG UPCOM Brazil BPFron GESFRON PF Chile CdC JENAMIG Colombia Ecuador Guyana DOC GPF Paraguay Peru Migraciones PNP Suriname Immigration KMP VZ Uruguay Venezuela GNB Immigration SAIME International United Nations International Organization for Migration CIS European Union Non-recognized Donetsk MS DNR SPO DNR Kosovo DCAM DPK Luhansk SPO LNR UMS LNR Northern Cyprus Somaliland SIBC Transnistria PU MGB UPVM MVD Defunct Albania (till 1939) Byzantine Empire Czechoslovakia (till 1939) East Germany Estonia (till 2010) Germany (till 1945) Italy (till 1943) Liechtenstein (till 1923) Poland KOP (till 1939) BPT (till 1991) Roman Empire Soviet Union Spain (till 1940) Portugal SEF (till 2023) United Kingdom IND (till 2007) BIA (till 2008) UKBA (till 2013) West Germany Border guard Coast guard Customs Law enforcement agency Types Intelligence agency

v t e Military branches Airborne forces Air force Ground and special Army Air defence Border guard Coast guard Honour guard Marines Military police Gendarmerie Provost Militia Missile defense Navy Paramilitary Public Force Security forces Space force Special forces

Authority control databases International GND National Japan Czech Republic

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Border guard](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Border_guard) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Border_guard?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.