Career Overview
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.
Also Known As
- Customs Inspector
- Customs Officer
- Special Agent
- US Customs and Border Protection Officer (US CBPO)
Alternate Job Titles
- Agriculture Specialist
- Air Import Specialist
- Border Patrol Agent
- Canine Enforcement Officer (K-9 Enforcement Officer)
- Customs and Border Patrol Agent
- Customs Import Specialist
- Customs Inspector
- Customs Officer
- Customs Opener
- Customs Packer
- Customs Specialist
- Customs Verifier
- Deportation Officer
- Drug Enforcement Agent
- Drug Inspector
What You'll Do
In this role, your typical responsibilities include:
- Examine immigration applications, visas, and passports and interview persons to determine eligibility for admission, residence, and travel in the U.S.
- Detain persons found to be in violation of customs or immigration laws and arrange for legal action, such as deportation.
- Inspect cargo, baggage, and personal articles entering or leaving U.S. for compliance with revenue laws and U.S. customs regulations.
- Locate and seize contraband, undeclared merchandise, and vehicles, aircraft, or boats that contain such merchandise.
- Interpret and explain laws and regulations to travelers, prospective immigrants, shippers, and manufacturers.
- Institute 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.
- Testify regarding decisions at immigration appeals or in federal court.
Knowledge You'll Use
You'll need solid knowledge in these areas:
- Law and Government
- Public Safety and Security
- English Language
- Customer and Personal Service
Essential Skills
Success in this career requires strong skills in:
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Critical Thinking
- Reading Comprehension
- Social Perceptiveness
- Writing
- Monitoring
- Judgment and Decision Making
Key Abilities
This career requires key abilities in:
- Oral Comprehension
- Oral Expression
- Near Vision
- Inductive Reasoning
- Problem Sensitivity
- Deductive Reasoning
- Written Comprehension
- Speech Clarity
- Speech Recognition
- Written Expression
Work Style
People who excel in this career typically demonstrate:
- Integrity
- Dependability
- Attention to Detail
- Cautiousness
- Stress Tolerance
What Matters in This Career
This career tends to satisfy these work values:
- Support
- Working Conditions
- Independence
- Relationships
- Achievement
Education & Preparation
Typical Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
On-the-Job Training: Over 1 month, up to and including 3 months
Education Details: Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Experience Required: 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.
Technology You'll Use
Popular Technologies & Software
- IBM WebSphere MQ
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office software
- Microsoft Outlook
- Microsoft Word
- SAP software
Tools & Equipment
- Barcode scanners
- Compound light microscopes
- Desktop computers
- Digital video cameras
- Fingerprint scanners
- Gamma ray spectrometers
- Hazardous material detectors
- Hydrometers
- Identification card scanners
- Ion mobility spectrometers
- Laptop computers
- Measurement calipers
- Metal handcuffs
- Mobile data computers
- Mobile truck X ray units
Work Environment
- Contact With Others
- Deal With External Customers or the Public in General
- Indoors, Environmentally Controlled
- Telephone Conversations
Salary & Job Market
Wages reported for the broader Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers occupational group (BLS 2024), which includes Customs and Border Protection Officers.
| Salary Percentile | Annual Wage |
|---|---|
| Entry-Level (10th percentile) | $47,640 |
| Median | $76,290 |
| Top Earners (90th percentile) | $115,280 |
Workers Employed Nationally: 666,990
Related Careers
If you're interested in this career, you might also consider:
Customs Brokers
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $78,420
Detectives and Criminal Investigators
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $93,580
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $76,290
Compliance Officers
Education: Not specified
Median Salary: $78,420
Transit and Railroad Police
Education: Bachelor's Degree
Median Salary: $82,320
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Occupational data sourced from the O*NET OnLine database, developed by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. Wage data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2024.