The German Customs Service originated in the early 19th century as a tariff enforcement unit of the Prussian government. Reorganized in 1919 under the Weimar Republic following World War I, it gradually became more militarized and transformed into a paramilitary force.

In 1936, it was reformed again by Fritz Reinhardt, the State Secretary of the Finance Ministry, and deployed as combination of a Border Patrol, Customs & Immigration service.
The German Customs service was divided into two separate branches with one branch consisting of the Landzollbeamte, (Land Customs Officials), which was subdivided into the Zollgrenzschutz, (Land Customs Border Guards), the Wasserzollbeamte, (Water Customs Officials), and the second branch consisting of the remaining Zollbeamte, (Customs Officials).
On June 17th 1936, Reichsführer-SS Heinrich Himmler was appointed to the newly created position of Chef der Deutschen Polizei im Reichsministerium des Innern, (Chief of the German Police in the National Ministry of the Interior), effectively giving him full control of all police agencies within Germany including the Customs service.

Rommel on inspection with an Oberzollrat des Zollgrenzschutzes in France in February 1944

The Customs and Border Protection long service Award (Zollgrenzschutz-Ehrenzeichen) was Instituted, on the order of Adolf Hitler, on the 17th February 1939 for award to loyal Customs/Border security personnel for loyal or meritorious service. The award was rendered in only one class and was awarded to Customs/Border security officials for four years of service and to civilian Customs/Border employees for eight years of service.

Customs and Border Protection long service Award

(Zollgrenzschutz-Ehrenzeichen)

Customs and Border Protection Service - Long Service Award, Court Mount

Customs and Border Protection Service - Long Service Award Document

Parade Bar showing the military 4 years long service, customs and border protection Service long service and Sudetenland commemorative (with Prague Castle Bar) awards

Insignia of the Customs and Border Protection Service

Customs and Border Protection Service cap badge

Customs and Border Protection Service Cufftitle

Zollgrenzschutz border security team on duty