You may have seen Customs officers mostly in airports investigating people and checking their luggage. Even some people start arguing with these officers even if they are at fault. This job is highly reputed but stressful. The Customs Officer has the authority to arrest the guilty on the spot caught with illegal goods or smuggled items.
A career in the Customs department of India as a Customs Officer offers huge job security and government services such as housing and concessions. It is the most sought after job in India that is looked up to in awe and respect by people.
Who is a Custom Officer?
The responsibility of the Customs Department is to control the import and export of goods while collecting duty and check maintenance upon the entry of restricted and prohibited items.
A Customer officer is a part of the Customs department employed by the Government of India. Also called Detection officers, they employ custom laws and legislation for the prevention of smuggling and import of illegal or dangerous trade like firearms, drugs, alcohol, tobacco, and endangered species while working in airports and seaports by collecting customs duties and taxes.
Sometimes these officers are required to go to the court as a witness and works closely with police officers and the Home office.
Duties
The following are the responsibilities and duties of a Customs Officer.
- Inspecting the luggage, vehicles, goods and travellers coming into or going out of the country.
- Recording and management of import and export activities.
- Investigating people found with illegal items and goods over the allowance limit.
- Arrest and charge convicted people, and then prepare reports and record witnesses statements.
- Check the customs documents; seize any terrorist or illegal activities.
- Maintaining law and order and following rules and regulations during import and export.
- Not allowing illegal immigrants from entering the country.
- Fulfil your duties as an Indian by taking good care of your nation and the state of its affairs.
- Understanding of various laws and their applicability under different situations.
- Seize smuggled goods by searching luggage and individuals. Arrest people suspected of smuggling activities.
- Identifying and inspecting people on their record of prior offences and doubts of risks.
- Collection and supplying of trade statistics and writing records.
- Help in fighting the illegal trade and smuggling away of endangered species of animals and birds.
Required Skills
A Customs Officer should possess the following skills in his professional life.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
- Always be fair, resilient and assertive even intense situations.
- Good team-working and decision-making skills.
- Honest with no record of criminal convictions.
- Excellent questioning ability.
- Ability to make good judgment.
- Ability to activate the radio, console monitor or telephonic equipment.
Education and Eligibility
- Complete graduation or B.E or B.Tech or MBBS from a recognized university with minimum 55% aggregate.
- After graduation, there are 3 different ways for joining the customs department.
- Group A Level: Clear the UPSC examination by opting for the Indian Revenue Service i.e., customs and central excise where you will be posted as Assistant Commissioner of customs or central excise.
- Group B Level: Qualify the Customs Officer Exam (SSC-CGL) and can opt for posts like Customs Inspector or Preventive officer or Indian customs Examiner by clearing basic fitness test.
- Qualify the State Public Service exam that is conducted by every state once a year to become a Customs Officer.
Career Opportunities
The following are some of the career opportunities in customs.
- Tax Assistant.
- Customs Inspector.
- Preventive Officer.
- Assistant Commissioner.
Salary and Job prospects
The average salary per month of Customs officers in various roles are as follows:
- Preventive officer- INR 44.9K
- Central Excise Inspector- INR 44.9K
- Examiners of Indian Customs- INR 52K
- Assistant Commissioner- INR 50-65K.
In India, since the implementation of Goods and Services Tax (GST), most of the exporters are using IGST credits for charging customs duties. The Indian government is enforcing stringent policies to stop such practices. During the export of products and goods in India, the exporters are making use of unauthorized and fake documents for fraudulently claiming GST credits that have become a common practice. So the government needs skilled and vigilant officers in their customs departments to stop this illegal trading of these illicit goods. Thus the demand for attentive Customs Officers is rapidly increasing.
As the Indian economy is growing at a good pace, so its trading with other countries will also grow. Some people use this as an opportunity for smuggling goods to avoid taxes and for illegal activities. As a Customs Officer, you need to put a stop to these activities and arrest the convicted.
– Samiya Firdous
