It was also coveted by pirates, who captured the vessel or bought illegal copies of the design built in criminal shipyards. While primarily used by the Empire, the Customs Frigate was also sold to local governments for their own small navies, and at least one vessel, Battle of Yavin, was captured and used by the New Republic. After a warning shot, the frigate began to shoot at the freighter, but it entered hyperspace. The Discus disobeyed the shut down order and tried to escape.

Sometimes during Roark Garnet's captaincy, the Dorion Discus freighter caught the attention of the Customs Frigate Assessor. Of course, it was completely outclassed by capital ships, which generally required the intervention of the Imperial Navy. Like other vessels used by Imperial Customs, it was able to do battle with most smugglers' light freighters, the forces of small-time pirates, or even Rebel starfighters.

Though it was slower, smaller, and less durable than the Light Corvette or the Guardian-class light cruiser from Sienar Fleet Systems, it required a smaller crew, and its six heavy laser cannons had significantly greater firepower at short range. The Imperial Customs Frigate was manufactured by Rendili StarDrive, the builders of the larger Light corvette also used by the Customs Office.