Customs officials are federal workers who are employed by the United States Customs and Border Protection (an arm of the Department of Homeland Security) to prevent terrorists and terrorist weapons from entering the United States, enforce laws governing imports and exports, and to combat smuggling and revenue fraud. Customs and Border Protection generates revenue for the government by assessing and collecting duties and excise taxes on imported merchandise. Amid a whirl of international travel and commercial activity, customs officials process travelers, baggage, cargo, and mail, as well as administer certain navigation laws. Stationed in the United States and overseas at airports, seaports, and all crossings, as well as at points along the Canadian and Mexican borders, customs officials examine, count, weigh, gauge, measure, and sample commercial and noncommercial cargoes entering and leaving the United States. It is their job to determine whether or not goods are admissible and, if so, how much tax, or duty, should be assessed on them. To prevent smuggling, fraud, and cargo theft, customs officials also check the individual baggage declarations of international travelers and oversee the unloading of all types of commercial shipments. In fiscal year 2015, CBP employed 22,947 officers, 20,183 border patrol agents, 1,172 air and marine agents, and 2,413 agriculture specialists.

Salary Range

$25,000 to $100,000

Minimum Education Level

High School Diploma

Certification/License

None

Outlook

About as Fast as the Average

Personality Traits

Helpful

Outgoing

Realistic

Career Ladder

CBP Manager

CBP Officer (Journeyman)

CBP Officer

CBP Officer Trainee