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Customs officer

Check that people arriving at UK borders do not bring in or take out banned goods. Stop smuggling and illegal trade.

Also known as: detection officer

About the job

Salary (before tax)

Weekly (average)

£750

Monthly (average)

£3,000

Yearly (average)

£39,000

Salary figures refer to this job and similar ones with comparable skills and qualifications. They only apply to Scotland.

Source:

LMI for All

What it's like

You would check that people arriving at UK borders are not bringing in or taking out banned goods. You’d stop smuggling and illegal trade.

You’d also explain to people if they need to pay a charge to take certain items in or out of the country. You’d collect these customs duties and taxes so the rules are being applied fairly to everyone.

You would work in airports and seaports for UK Border Force.

You would:

  • Search luggage, vehicles and travellers

  • Check customs documents

  • Question people who have been found with illegal items or more goods than they are allowed

  • Arrest and charge people

  • Prepare reports and witness statements

You might take on specialist roles such as dog handling or undercover and surveillance work.

When necessary, you would go to court as a witness and would work closely with other agencies, like the police and the Home Office.

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