Illegal Trade Research Articles

Application of data-driven Decision Support System in Combating Illegal Wildlife Trade on Internet

With the rapid development of the Internet, the illegal wildlife trade is becoming increasingly serious, posing a threat to biodiversity. Using big data and artificial intelligence technology, this paper identifies abnormal transactions and network relationships by analyzing social media and e-commerce platforms, combined with random forests and graph neural networks, to enhance the efficiency of the crackdown. Random forest algorithms reveal nonlinear patterns and abnormal behavior, and graph neural networks help reveal the complex structure of the transaction network. In implementing the strategy, this paper uses a multi-attribute decision-making model (MADM) and analytic hierarchy Process (AHP) to assess and select the best partners, such as the United Nations Environment Programme, to optimize resource allocation and synergies. Through these technologies, this paper hopes to significantly increase the precision and speed of combating illegal wildlife trade, thereby effectively protecting biodiversity and contributing to the sustainable development of the planet and the harmonious coexistence of the natural environment.

Hungry for More: Examining How Cultures of Increasing Demand Drive the Decline of the European Eel

European eels have attracted considerable interest in recent years, amidst growing illegal markets and plummeting wild populations. While the shifting dynamics between legal and illegal trade are of clear interest to criminologists, little attention has been paid to the confluence of the legal – yet still harmful – activities that threaten the species. To address this gap, we build on a green criminological position and draw together research from across France, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain and the United Kingdom to shine a light on the drivers of demand that shape harms towards the species. We examine both direct drivers of demand, for example, fisheries and globalised food networks; and indirect drivers of demand for “natural resources” such as energy, water and land. By framing demand as a source and driver of harms, we reveal how cultures of demand, particularly in the Global North, are both blind to and disconnected from the harms they produce.

Tobacco Industry CSR activities in Poland between 2020-2023

Abstract Background The tobacco industry has undergone a significant transformation in its approach towards Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities. Once primarily associated with controversy and criticism due to the health risks associated with tobacco consumption, many tobacco companies have begun to embrace CSR initiatives as a means to mitigate these concerns and demonstrate their commitment to broader societal well-being. Methods Methods were based on the Global Tobacco Industry Interference Index. Between 1 January 2020 and 31 March 2023 scoping review of legal basis, Polish media websites, Polish government and local government websites, also social media of tobacco industry companies has been done by four reviewers searching separately. Results Between 2020 and 2023 several tobacco companies supported public schools (organized workshops, offered internships, and demonstrated the production processes). In 2022, the National Revenue Administration signed an agreement with Philip Morris Polska, among other companies, under the Cooperation Program. The objective of the Program is to initiate collaborative measures that promote compliance with tax regulations. At the end of 2021, the National Revenue Administration took patronage over the Business Center Club social campaign entitled ‘Coming together to fight the illicit trade in tobacco products’. Moreover, in March 2023 the General Police Headquarters started cooperation with BAT and JTI in the field of combating illegal production and trade in tobacco products, as well as disclosing and eliminating tobacco products from illegal sources from economic circulation. Conclusions In Poland, which currently has no specific regulation constraining tobacco industry lobbying, implementation of the provisions of WHO FCTC Article 5.3 is needed to limit interactions between the government and the tobacco industry. Government and public schools should not accept any support from the tobacco industry. Key messages • The government should have regulatory measures to manage its interactions with the tobacco industry, emphasizing the importance of refraining from accepting industry assistance. • Implementation of WHO FCTC Article 5.3 of is needed to limit interactions between the government and the tobacco industry.

Research on Monitoring Illegal Wildlife Trade Based on Data-Driven Models

This paper aims to evaluate client selection and project alignment in wildlife conservation projects using the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) and TOPSIS models. The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), China Wildlife Conservation Association (CWCA), and the National Forestry and Grassland Administration are selected as candidate clients. Quantitative analysis uses three indicators: resources, power, and interest. The results indicate that WWF is the most suitable client regarding comprehensive resources, power, and interest. Additionally, the paper analyzes the cost-benefit and organizational development contributions of WWF implementing the "Electronic ID" project, highlighting its potential to enhance WWF's international influence and reputation. The study demonstrates that leveraging technology to track and protect wildlife can curb illegal wildlife trade and promote biodiversity conservation.

Ambassador Animals Do Not Have a Clear Effect on Visitor Conservation Knowledge and Attitudes Toward Exotic Pets at a Zoo Exhibit.

There is relatively little work examining visitor outcomes of ambassador animal programs, such as whether these programs are educationally effective or unintentionally promote exotic pet ownership. We designed a two-way factorial experiment to test whether ambassador animals enhanced or detracted from the educational outcomes of a zoo exhibit. We surveyed 312 visitors at the Oakland Zoo at a static exhibit focused on the illegal wildlife trade. Participants were surveyed either before or after visiting the exhibit, with or without a trainer presenting either an ambassador ball python (Python regius) or yellow-naped Amazon parrot (Amazona auropalliata). The survey assessed attitudes toward conservation, knowledge of conservation behavior, and the suitability of various species, including the ambassador species, as pets. We used an ANOVA to examine 299 complete surveys for differences between experimental groups' mean responses. There were no significant differences in conservation attitudes. Subjects demonstrated more knowledge of conservation behavior after leaving the exhibit, regardless of whether or not an animal was present. While the exhibit reduced favorable attitudes toward parrots as pets, ambassador animal presence neither positively nor negatively impacted on this effect. Participants who viewed a python were more likely to indicate that they viewed a python as a good pet. However, the sample expressed overall negative attitudes toward exotic pet ownership. This study suggests that ambassadors neither enhanced learning nor unintentionally promoted exotic pets. Further research is needed to understand the role of interpretive messaging when using ambassadors in an educational context.

INCREASING THE HUMAN RESOURCES POTENTIAL OF STATE AUDIT BODIES AS A BASIS FOR IMPROVING THE EFFICIENCY AUDIT MECHANISM

Recent economic and financial scandals worldwide, the growth of the shadow economy, the increase in funds concealed from the budget, the rise of corruption, and insufficient adherence to financial discipline create very serious problems. The development of an audit system that creates a transparent and comprehensive informational environment for the government and the public, and plays a key role in economic regulation, is aimed at addressing these serious issues and improving the economic and managerial environment. The purpose of the paper is to explore how increasing the human resources potential of state audit bodies serves as a basis for improving the efficiency audit mechanism. The improvement of the functioning of the state audit system and the enhancement of the knowledge and expertise of personnel and specialists working in this field are based on the critical need to assess and refine the existing system. At the current stage of development, improving the mechanisms of state audit and financial control, as well as monitoring the effective use of budget expenditures, has become a priority. In this context, the concept of state budget policy has undergone changes and is now focused on results-based management. To achieve these goals, new approaches to assessing economic efficiency are being developed, with the improvement of the efficiency audit mechanism being the main focus. The development of auditing institutions plays an important role in accelerating the country's socio-economic development. As a result of these institutions' activities, it becomes possible to identify new financial and economic resources necessary for economic growth. Increasing transparency in society and strengthening financial discipline in economic activities are also closely linked to the work of these institutions. The paper examines the issues of enhancing the knowledge and experience of personnel and specialists, who play a key role in the development of the audit institute.

Demonetization and its effects on Indian economy

Indian government has taken a bold decision on note ban on 08/11/2016. Central government was a judicious, well-thought out and well-implemented step, and whether it would really eradicate all the existing black money. Here I have utilized the opinions of great expert on economics, financial economist and intellectual politicians. This study will help us to know about the positive and negative impact of note ban decision taken by Indian government. This study is purely based on secondary data, which is collected from news papers, magazines, websites from internet, some useful books related to topic etc. This paper entails the problems related to pre and post demonetization period and thereby to find out solutions and to provide suggestions in order to overcome the problem. Demonetization is the process of withdrawal of a particular form of currency from circulation. The purpose of the study is to compare and analyse the impact of demonetization on Indian economy during pre and post period. The older denominations must be replaced with the new ones. The findings of the study reveal that India will achieve a significant growth by adopting the demonetization strategy and will create a huge positive impact on the entire economy in a long run. This paper also shows that it was quick step taken by the government of India without any measures which people had to face a lot of consequences in standing in the long queues to exchange their older denominations.

Impact of the socioeconomic crisis in Lebanon on people with epilepsy.

The economic crisis in Lebanon, which began in 2019, has affected the healthcare system and patients' incomes. The aim of this study was to analyze the obstacles faced by people with epilepsy (PWE) during this crisis and to assess its impact on their quality of life. The method used was a cross-sectional study conducted among PWE aged 18-65 years, who were asked to complete a comprehensive questionnaire covering sociodemographic aspects, clinical aspects, the impact of the economic crisis, and the QOLIE-31 (version 1.0), validated in English and Arabic, which assesses the quality of life of PWE. 71 patients were included in the study with an average age of 35.2 years [23.5; 62.5] (53.5% were males). Their average QOLIE-31 score was 50.3 (+/- 17.9). A significant proportion (71%) of patients reported difficulties during the crisis, with 25% reporting having had seizure-related injuries in the years 2022-2023 and 36.6% reporting an increase in seizure frequency compared to that prior to 2020. Moreover, many patients had to change (33.8%) or discontinue (18.3%) antiseizure medications, due to drug shortages, rising costs, and high gas prices. To mitigate these challenges, patients sought solutions such as obtaining medications from abroad (34%) or through donations (8%) or purchasing from the black market (8%). Low quality of life was associated with unemployment, low education level, the presence of focal seizures with impaired awareness or generalized seizures, polytherapy, seizure-related injuries, and medication changes during the economic crisis. These results highlight the considerable challenges faced by PWE in Lebanon during the economic crisis, emphasizing the negative effect of the crisis on their quality of life and seizure control. This study analyzed the obstacles faced by 71 people with epilepsy during Lebanon's economic crisis and showed that many patients had to change (33.8%) or discontinue (18.3%) antiseizure medications, due to drug shortages, rising costs, and high gas prices. To mitigate these challenges, patients sought solutions such as obtaining medications from abroad (34%) or through donations (8%) or purchasing from the black market (8%). This affected their quality of life. In fact, low quality of life was associated with unemployment, low education level, focal seizures with impaired awareness or generalized seizures, polytherapy, seizure-related injuries, and medication changes.

Mapping illegal trade routes of live cheetahs from the Horn of Africa to the Arabian Peninsula.

Less than 7000 cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus) persist in Africa. Although human-wildlife conflict, habitat degradation, and loss of prey are major threats to cheetah populations, illegal trade in live cubs for pets may have the most significant impact on populations in the Horn of Africa. We developed a novel, stepwise decision support tool to predict probable trafficking routes by leveraging the power of distinct modeling approaches. First, we created a cheetah habitat suitability index (HSI) to determine where source cheetah populations may occur. We then created a trafficking network model linking known and predicted cheetah populations with documented destinations in the Arabian Peninsula. A significant area in Eastern Ethiopia and Northern Somalia was estimated to harbor undocumented cheetahs. When these predicted populations were used as a supply source, the trafficking network model showed multiple routes passing through Somaliland and across the Gulf of Aden to Yemen, supporting the notion that undocumented cheetahs may be supplying pet market demands. Though we demonstrate how our decision support tool can inform law enforcement, conservation strategies, and community engagement, we caution that our results are not fully validated due to limited accessibility, alternative trafficking routes, and the cryptic nature of illegal wildlife trade.

China's International Trade of Parrots from 1981 to 2022 Based on the CITES Trade Database.

Parrots are popular with pet consumers and are one of the most traded groups of live birds around the world. China has been considered as an important country in bird trades, but we know little about China's import and export of parrots. Using the latest data available from the CITES Trade Database, we analyzed China's import and export of CITES-listed live parrots from 1981-2022 to better understand the patterns and dynamics of these trades. China imported 155,339 parrots of 173 species and exported 608,987 parrots of 42 species during the study period with an annual average of about 18,500 individuals, accounting for c. 5% of the global average number. The most imported parrots to China were Grey Parrot (Psittacus erithacus) and Monk Parakeet (Myiopsitta monachus), while the most exported ones were Fisher's Lovebirds (Agapornis fischeri), Rosy-faced Lovebirds (Agapornis roseicollis), and Yellow-collared Lovebird (Agapornis personatus). Since the early 21st century, China's imports of parrots gradually increased, but exports decreased more pronouncedly, making China's international parrot trade volume declining in the past 20 years. China's international parrot trade routes also changed over time, with the destination of parrot exports shifting from Europe to Africa and the Arabian region, while more parrots being gradually imported from countries in South America and Africa. The vast majority of parrots exported from China were captive-bred non-native species like Fisher's Lovebirds, while a substantial proportion of imported parrots were wild-sourced and the proportion has been increasing in the last decade. The fact that China exported much more parrots than imported suggests existence of large-scale parrot farming and domestic parrot trade in China. Attention needs to be paid to monitoring China's import of increasing proportion of wild-sourced parrots from South America countries and its potential impacts on their wild populations. Close monitoring of and more studies on domestic and illegal parrot trade are essential to fully understand the role China plays in the international trade of parrots.

Identifikasi Modal Sosial dan Kekuasaan dalam Underground Economy Pasar Maling, Kota Malang

Purpose: This study aims to reveal the role of social capital and power structures in the underground economy of Pasar Maling, Malang City. Methodology: This study used a phenomenological qualitative method. To obtain data, unstructured interviews and observations were conducted with triangulation of sources and Nvivo14 was used to process the data. Results: The research reveals the role of social capital in strengthening the existence of the underground economy through four main aspects: trust, networks, information, and norms. The power structure that can provide rules or contracts at Pasar Maling Malang City is in the form of informal contracts and is dominated by the non-government community, namely the Madurese ethnic community. This market is similar to a perfect competition market, but in the ongoing economy market, Pasar Maling Malang City has restrictions on entering the market or barriers to entry. Only people of the same ethnicity can participate in and conduct trading activities in Pasar Maling Malang City. Limitations: This research only focuses on the market's internal perspective, including sellers and the surrounding community in Pasar Maling. Contribution: This research may provide additional knowledge for readers and serve as a reference for further research on underground economy.

Illegal Wildlife Trade in Bangladesh and India: A Study of Comparative Laws

Poaching of wildlife and misuse of plant habitats were considered one of the local, small-scale activities carried out by opportunists or miscreants for the purpose of illegal trade or smuggling of certain species. However, the irony is that over the past few decades. It has progressively become a major contributor to illegal trade with a hotspot for serious crimes" including those involving wild animals. Wildlife trafficking has become a serious threat to ecosystem conservation, putting species at risk of extinction and causing loss of biodiversity. The main objective of this work is to ensure that Bangladesh's legal framework is compatible with international regimes, particularly in preventing wildlife trafficking. Additionally, the study undertook systematic research to assess Bangladesh's commitments, performance, and limitations and compare them with the situation in India. Bangladesh is classified as a riparian country under IUCN Red List criteria IV and V. The study reviewed books, journals, research articles, supplements, news, and analysis on both substantive and ancillary national laws, beyond the Wildlife Crime Convention, providing a comprehensive set of legal rules and principles governing interactions between traffickers and species.

Implementation of CITES in Tanzania: Fairytale or Promising Journey? An Analysis of Legal Framework and Practice

Tanzania is rich in natural resources and home to one of Africa’s largest networks of wildlife-protected areas, including over 1,000 bird species and the world’s largest elephant population. As a dedicated wildlife conservation advocate, Tanzania ratified the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) in 1979 and became a party in 1980. The Wildlife Conservation Act (WCA), enacted in 1974 and revised in 2009, along with CITES-specific regulations from 2005, guide Tanzania's conservation efforts. Using both descriptive and normative research legal approaches, this article expounds the Country’s implementation with CITES. It notes that, while the country generally complies with CITES obligations by designating authorities and regulating trade, challenges remain in maintaining trade records, reporting, and controlling illegal wildlife trade. Since 2015, political will to enforce wildlife laws has increased, but Tanzania still faces constraints in human and financial resources, limited capacity to investigate wildlife crimes, and lack of awareness among communities and law enforcement agencies. Additionally, weaknesses in Zanzibar’s legal framework hinder conservation effectiveness. Despite these issues, Tanzania has the potential to improve CITES enforcement by enhancing resource allocation, legal reforms, and regional collaboration. Community involvement in conservation efforts is key to achieving sustainable management of the country's rich natural heritage.

Insider Trading and Law Enforcement in the Capital Market

Illegal stock trading, or insider trading, has become a significant issue in the capital markets, both in Indonesia and the United States. This research aims to compare law enforcement related to insider trading between the two countries. This research uses a normative method with legislative and conceptual approaches. Data was collected through analysis of laws and regulations and case studies related to insider trading practices. The findings show that the regulations in the UUPM in Indonesia still use the fiduciary duty theory, which limits the scope of actions that can be sanctioned. In contrast, in the United States, the application of the fiduciary duty theory and misappropriation theory provides stronger legal protection and stricter sanctions against insider trading offenses. Although both countries have regulations prohibiting insider trading, the enforcement mechanism in the US is more comprehensive than in Indonesia. In the US, there are more legal precedents that clarify limits and sanctions, while in Indonesia, there is still a lack of implementation and understanding of insider trading. Enforcement of insider trading laws in the US is more effective than in Indonesia. The UUPM in Indonesia needs to be revised to integrate the misappropriation theory and strengthen sanctions against insider trading violations, in order to provide better protection to investors.

Роль резильєнтного потенціалу громадських організацій у відновленні територіальних громад України

The relevance of the research on the resilient potential of public organizations in Ukraine is determined by the need to increase the regenerative capabilities of territorial communities within a limited time frame and with restricted resource suport. The purpose of the article is substantiating the resilient potential of public organizations as an effective tool for increasing the adaptive capacity and self-organization of public community, mitigating the destructive consequences and accelerating recovery of territorial communities during the Russo-Ukrainian war and in post-war period. The novelty of the article consists in identifying the impact of public organizations on the resilient recovery of territorial communities in the conditions of the Russo-Ukrainian war. The research was carried out using the systems approach method, techniques of abstraction and generalization, functional and comparative analysis, statistical methods and data analysis, graphic method. The influence of public organizations on the resilience of territorial communities was analyzed by means of correlation-regression analysis. Three indicators of the resilient potential of territorial communities of the country were selected according to the criterion of significance and the existence of a cause-and-effect relationship. Namely: profitability of local budgets per person, cash income of households, the size of informally employed population as a sign of the shadow economy. The main functions of public organizations in ensuring the resilience of territorial communities have been disclosed. It is substantiated that the most effective tools for the influence of public organizations on ensuring the resilience of communities in the conditions of the war and post-war period are active means (promotion of citizens’ mobility, formation of public opinion, public control) and segmental tools (influence on certain population groups, infrastructure objects, territories etc.) with a fixed effect (legal assistance to internally displaced persons, reconstruction of the destroyed property and healthcare facilities, improvement of epidemic living conditions, ensuring the operation of a humanitarian center, collection of necessary information).

Review of One Health in the Galápagos Islands (Part 1): historical perspective, invasive species, and emerging infectious diseases

The Galápagos archipelago is a vast reservoir of terrestrial and marine biodiversity, owing in large part to its relatively recent volcanic genesis and colonization by humans. This unique ecological system is particularly susceptible to human, animal, and environmental impacts. Climate change, globalization, and the blurring of human-domestic animal-wildlife interfaces are poised to bring new threats and challenges to the region. A One Health perspective that simultaneously considers human, animal, and environmental health is imperative in assessing and mitigating the challenges facing the Galápagos Islands. In Part I of this review, we provide the historical context for biodiversity in the archipelago; discuss the role of invasive species in habitat destruction, fragmentation, and competition with endemic species; and summarize the established and emerging infectious disease threats. We also discuss the imperative to implement research, surveillance, and preventative measures to identify and manage future threats from a One Health perspective, with a specific emphasis on implications for wildlife health. In Part II of this review, we outline the socioeconomic context of life in the Galápagos Islands, evaluate the current and predicted effects of climate change, and discuss direct anthropogenic factors affecting Galápagos biodiversity, such as tourism, fishing, pollution, and the illegal wildlife trade. We also examine the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in the region. We build a cohesive picture of One Health in the Galápagos Islands by integrating past work, current needs, and emerging threats. We also consider overarching goals for conservation, ecosystem management, and socioeconomic sustainability that have been previously defined by both governmental and non-governmental stakeholders, and we identify discrete, implementable, and interdisciplinary recommendations that will facilitate achievement of those goals.

A Study on Illegal Wildlife Trade in Tanzania Based on Multi-source Data Fusion

This study on the illegal wildlife trade crisis in Tanzania is methodically divided into three phases: planning, policy, and application. Initially, data preprocessing methods such as null processing, interpolation, and max-min normalization were applied to construct a client impact assessment model utilizing AHP and hierarchical evaluation methods. WWF emerged as the most influential client. The policy phase introduced a comprehensive five-year strategy across economic, social, cultural, and environmental sectors. This strategy was supported by three quantitative models, which were used to evaluate the impact of the illegal wildlife trade. The economic model assessed the contribution to GDP growth from the integration of illegal trappers into the workforce. The social model applied crime economics to optimize time allocation under uncertainty. The cultural impact was measured through educational guidelines and a literacy score. Finally, environmental policies were analyzed by adjusting nature reserve areas and poaching difficulty parameter Z. In the application phase, Tanzania's National Forest Park was selected to serve as a pilot site for the models, with the projected outcomes including an increase in species richness and a reduction in poaching ease over a five-year period.

Natural hazards and the influence on the shadow economy: non-linear evidence from panel analysis

Natural hazards and the influence on the shadow economy: non-linear evidence from panel analysis

Peculiarities of the legislative model of the criminal law prohibition of smuggling

The article is devoted to the study of the peculiarities of the legislative model of criminal prohibition of smuggling. It is stated that the emergence of new and modernization of existing methods of smuggling is due to the correlation of the State’s customs policy in connection with the full-scale invasion of the Russian Federation and the introduction of the legal regime of martial law. The purpose of this article is to provide a systematic analysis of the amendments and additions made to Section VII of the Special Part of the Criminal Code of Ukraine in terms of criminalization of smuggling, to determine their effectiveness and expediency, and to formulate scientifically sound recommendations for improving criminal law regulation of social relations related to smuggling. The author establishes that the main factors which influenced the process of recriminalization of commodity smuggling are: an increase in the number of manifestations of smuggling of goods and their unreliable declaration; a decrease in revenues to the State Budget of Ukraine; stimulation of unfair competition; entry of products of inadequate quality into the domestic market; an increase in the shadow economy in the public sector; criminalization of smuggling of goods in certain EU countries; ineffective application of administrative liability measures. The author analyzes the need to strengthen criminal liability for commodity smuggling at the level of the European Union as a whole. The author elucidates the approaches available in the criminal law doctrine to solving the problems associated with the introduction of criminal liability for commodity smuggling. It is substantiated that in case of any change in the system of current criminal legislation, it is necessary to justify this type of rulemaking, i.e. to assess the admissibility and appropriateness of a criminal law novelty. The author emphasizes that it is inexpedient to distinguish criminal law provisions on smuggling by the type of subject matter. The author concludes that the model of criminal legal prohibition of smuggling chosen by the legislator determines the differentiation of criminal liability, and at the same time is a manifestation of the shortcomings of legislative technique, since it gives rise to the emergence of legislative models of smuggling with different objects of criminal legal protection.

Peculiarities of the criminalization of smuggling of goods and its importance for filling the state budget

Smuggling of goods is a complex and multifaceted phenomenon that has a significant impact on the economic and social situation in the country. The illegal movement of goods across the border not only undermines economic stability, but also poses a threat to national security, contributing to the development of the shadow economy and corruption. In the conditions of globalization and the growing integration of international markets, the issue of combating smuggling becomes especially urgent, because this phenomenon is becoming more and more large-scale and difficult for state control. Criminalization of the smuggling of goods is a key mechanism for countering this negative phenomenon, which involves the establishment of stricter liability for violations of customs rules. It should be noted that the effectiveness of the criminalization of customs offenses depends on a number of factors, including the presence of effective legislation capable of adequately responding to new challenges, the effectiveness of law enforcement agencies, as well as the level of international cooperation in this area, etc. However, given the specifics of the Ukrainian economy and the country’s geopolitical location, the smuggling of goods remains a serious problem that requires a deeper analysis and an effective solution. One of the key aspects of the fight against the smuggling of goods, which became one of the main reasons for its criminalization, is its impact on filling the state budget. Illegal trade in goods deprives the state of significant financial revenues that could be directed to the development of social programs, infrastructure projects and ensuring economic growth. The loss of these resources weakens the country’s economic potential, undermines trust in state institutions, and contributes to growing social tensions. The article examines the impact of smuggling on the state’s economy, emphasizing the negative consequences for filling the state budget. Examples of significant economic losses incurred by the state due to smuggling are considered, as well as the role of customs authorities in combating this phenomenon is highlighted. A set of measures is proposed to reduce the level of smuggling, including changes to legislation, increasing the effectiveness of customs control and strengthening international cooperation.