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Customs and Border Protection Officers

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.

What you’d do

  • 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.
  • Record and report job-related activities, findings, transactions, violations, discrepancies, and decisions.

Skills that matter

  • Active Listening
  • Critical Thinking
  • Speaking
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Social Perceptiveness
  • Judgment and Decision Making

How to get there

Medium preparation: usually vocational school, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree

Also called

  • Customs Inspector
  • Customs Officer
  • Special Agent
  • US Customs and Border Protection Officer (US CBPO)
  • Canine Enforcement Officer (K-9 Enforcement Officer)
  • Import Specialist

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