How to become a Customs Officer

A law enforcement agent who imposes customs laws, on behalf of a government is known as customs officer.  The duty of customs officer is to control the import and export of goods with the purpose to maintain a check on the entry of prohibited and restricted goods and collecting duty. The customs officer needs to check that smuggling does not takes place. Job security and other perks related to government services such as housing and concessions is provided in career of the customs department of the Government of India. Custom officers work at the airport and their duty is to prevent entry and exit of illegal goods such as narcotics, also they collect taxes on various goods going out and coming into the country. In India, cbic (The Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs) is the nodal national agency responsible for administering Customs, GST, Central Excise, Service Tax & Narcotics. 

The roles and responsibilities of the custom officer includes 

• To question identified people on the basis of prior offences and risky behavior.
• To check and search individuals and baggage for smuggled items
• to make arrests of people suspected of smuggling
• To seize smuggled goods
• To check documentation relating to imported goods
• To detect  and prosecute drug smugglers
• To collect and supply trade statistics
• To write reports
• To deal with revenue due on imported goods

To become a Custom officer, the aspirants needs to have skills like self-confidence, right presence of mind, attentive and must have knowledge about Indian laws and about duties and responsibilities of cbic, Good Communication skills, cooperation with co-workers and discipline.

Customs officers have various ranks and the salaries which vary according to the rank. The executive level, the salary is around 42000INR which includes dearness allowance, house rent allowance, travel allowance etc., minus the pension, professional tax, employee life insurance and central government health insurance. The salary increases consistently with time, with promotions, and with pay commissions. Customs Officer holding the Rank of an inspector is around 52000INR.

To become a Customs Officer, the aspirants needs to clear civil exams that are conducted by the Union Public Service Commission or through SSC CGL examination. The aspirants need to focus on government exams to fast track their career.

Customs officers jobs gives career opportunities in -

·        Indian Visas and Immigration 

·        Indian Revenue & Customs 

·        Border Force 

·        Working for the Civil Service Department