THE BLACK AND THE ASOV SEAS CUSTOMS SERVICES IN THE END OF 18TH CENTURY: INFRASTRUCTURE, PERSONNEL, PRODUCTIVITY

Abstract

The article focuses on the custom services and custom-house barriers
infrastructure in the Azov and the Black Sea region in late 18th century. The author considers
those customs services ability to ensure the necessary import and export conditions to be
one of the key factors infl uencing the trade success in this new and «young» sector. The
research conducted by the author shows that in late 18th century the development of the
customs services infrastructure in the Azov and the Black Sea region was insuffi cient. The
functioning of this regions customs services was complicated due to the insuffi cient quantity
of qualifi ed customs stuff, ineffi cient trade legislation and large amounts of smuggling.