What are the job roles and responsibilities of an Customs Officer?

Typical responsibilities of the job include:

• identifying people to question prior offenses

• searching baggage for smuggled items

• arresting people suspected of smuggling

• checking documentation relating to imported goods

• supplying trade statistics

• writing reports

• dealing with revenue due to imported goods

Qualifications and training required

In order to become a Customs Officer, the candidate will have to appear for the Civil Services Examination. It is conducted by the Union Public Service Commission in India. Those who are selected are either sent to Chennai for training in the functions of the Customs Department or those selected for Central Excise Service training is done in one of the metropolitan cities.

Key skills for customs officers

• free from certain criminal convictions

• Calm

• assertive

• resilient 

• must possess excellent communication 

• teamworking 

• interpersonal skills.