Customs officers stop banned items from entering or leaving the country, and collect taxes & duties.

What does a customs officer do?

As customs officer, also known as a detection officer, you would work in airports and seaports collecting customs duties and preventing smuggling and illegal trade.

You might:

• search luggage, vehicles and travellers
• check customs documents
• question people who have been found with illegal items or goods over the allowance
• arrest and charge people
• prepare reports and witness statements
• 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 Offic