Customs Brokers
Prepare customs documentation and ensure that shipments meet all applicable laws to facilitate the import and export of goods.
Protective Service
Customs and Border Protection Officers
Also called: Customs Inspector, Customs Officer, Special Agent, US Customs and Border Protection Officer (US CBPO)
- Typical education
- High school diploma
- 39% of workers surveyed
- Preparation needed
- Medium Preparation Needed
- Job Zone 3 of 5
- Programs in this directory
- 983
- that lead to this career
What customs and border protection officers do
Investigate and inspect persons, common carriers, goods, and merchandise, arriving in or departing from the United States or between states to detect violations of immigration and customs laws and regulations.
Typical tasks
- 1Examine immigration applications, visas, and passports and interview persons to determine eligibility for admission, residence, and travel in the U.S.
- 2Detain persons found to be in violation of customs or immigration laws and arrange for legal action, such as deportation.
- 3Inspect cargo, baggage, and personal articles entering or leaving U.S. for compliance with revenue laws and U.S. customs regulations.
- 4Locate and seize contraband, undeclared merchandise, and vehicles, aircraft, or boats that contain such merchandise.
- 5Interpret and explain laws and regulations to travelers, prospective immigrants, shippers, and manufacturers.
- 6Institute civil and criminal prosecutions and cooperate with other law enforcement agencies in the investigation and prosecution of those in violation of immigration or customs laws.
- 7Testify regarding decisions at immigration appeals or in federal court.
- 8Record and report job-related activities, findings, transactions, violations, discrepancies, and decisions.
- 9Determine duty and taxes to be paid on goods.
- 10Collect samples of merchandise for examination, appraisal, or testing.
Key skills
- Active Listening4.0/5
- Critical Thinking4.0/5
- Speaking4.0/5
- Reading Comprehension3.9/5
- Social Perceptiveness3.9/5
- Judgment and Decision Making3.6/5
- Monitoring3.6/5
- Writing3.6/5
Importance rated by workers in this career (1–5).
Knowledge areas
- Law and Government4.5/5
- Public Safety and Security4.3/5
- English Language3.9/5
- Customer and Personal Service3.6/5
- Psychology3.4/5
- Administrative3.2/5
Importance rated by workers in this career (1–5).
Technology used
- IBM WebSphere MQ
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office software
- Microsoft Outlook
- Microsoft Word
- SAP software
How to become one
- Education
- The most common level among workers surveyed is a high school diploma (39%). Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
- Experience
- Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
Where to study
Subjects that prepare for this career:
Showing 12 of 983 matching programs.
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Bachelor's degree
This page includes information from O*NET OnLine by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. We have modified some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed or tested these modifications. Programs are linked with the CIP–SOC crosswalk from the U.S. Department of Education (NCES). Education levels and preparation describe the United States and may differ in other countries.