Uses extensive knowledge of customs laws and trade agreements to optimise importing and exporting costs.
Work Environment
This occupation is typically found in the following Career Sector(s):
Videos on the Web
- Customs Officers- from: Youtube Search
Working Life
The role of a customs and excise officer is varied but normally falls into the following categories:
- Customs: combating the importation of firearms, drugs and other banned items and collecting revenues on imported goods.
- Excise: levying duties inland on alcohol and tobacco.
- VAT: assessing and collecting VAT from businesses.
Duties
- Clearing goods through customs.
- Preparing and processing import and export documentation according to customs regulations, laws, or procedures.
- Advising customers on import and export restrictions, tariff systems, quotas, or other customs-related matters.
- Applying for tariff concessions or for duty drawbacks and other refunds.
- Classifying goods according to tariff coding system.
- Calculating duty and tariff payments owed on shipments.
- Conferring with officials in various agencies to facilitate clearance of goods through quarantine.
Further Information
- Customs officer- from: GradIreland
- Immigration Officer- from: N.C.S. [UK]
- Immigration officer, passport control- from: GradIreland
Qualities - Customs Officers
- Ability to collate and analyse often complex information.
- Ability to disseminate detailed information in a clear and concise manner.
- ability to work independently and as part of a team.
- Self-motivation.
- Tactful and polite with excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
- Excellent listening and questioning skills.
- Ability to present information in a clear and logical way.
- Honest and fair in applying the rules.
- Good numeracy skills, with the ability to interpret accounts and make calculations.
- Ability to work accurately, pay close attention to detail and notice inconsistencies.
Interests - Customs Officers
This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:
Enterprising
Enterprising people like situations that involve using resources for personal or corporate economic gain. Such people may have an opportunistic frame of mind, and are drawn to commerce, trade and making deals. Some pursue sales and marketing occupations. Many will eventually end up owning their own business, or in management roles in larger organisations. They tend to be very goal-oriented and work best when focused on a target. Some have an entrepreneurial inclination.
Administrative
Administrative people are interested in work that offers security and a sense of being part of a larger process. They may be at their most productive under supervisors who give clear guidelines and while performing routine tasks in a methodical and reliable way.
They tend to enjoy clerical and most forms of office work, where they perform essential administrative duties. They often form the backbone of large and small organisations alike. They may enjoy being in charge of office filing systems, and using computers and other office equipment to keep things running smoothly. They usually like routine work hours and prefer comfortable indoor workplaces.
Entry / Progression - Customs Officers
There are many pathways to develop skills towards a career as a Customs Officer. Recruitment of Clerical Officers takes place through the Public Appointments Service.
The minimum entry requirement is Leaving Certificate level. There are also a range of competencies which successful candidates are expected to meet. Additional education and experience, such as working in an office or a relevant PLC qualification, can be advantageous in meeting these competency requirements.
The Civil Service strongly encourages its staff to further their education and improve their qualifications. A scheme providing for the refund of fees for third level courses is in place and paid study leave is allowed for staff attending such courses. On-the-job training also plays an important role in enabling employees to maximise their potential.
Steps to applying: Public jobs
- Apply online at publicjobs.ie before closing date;
- Online Assessment Questionnaire;
- Interview.
Sample Education and Training Pathways
A number of courses are available throughout the country that focus on learning and skills that may be useful for this career. The examples and links below may guide you in your research.
Further Education (FET)
Further Education & Training (FET) Courses are delivered by local ETBs, ranging in duration from several weeks up to 20 months. Courses are designed to meet the labour market needs and often include a large element of work experience.
Example search terms include: business administration, customer service.
Search for FET Courses
PLC Courses (FET)
PLC courses are full-time courses, one or two years duration, with awards at Level 5 and 6 on the NFQ. They are offered nationally in Schools and Colleges of Further Education.
Example search terms include: business administration, transport, logistics, law, security.
Search for PLC Courses
Apprenticeships:
Apprenticeships are structured work-based training programs that combine on-the-job training with classroom instruction. They run from 2 – 4 years and are open to individuals of all ages, including school leavers, those seeking a career change, and existing employees who wish to upskill.
Examples: Accounting, Finance, Transport and Logistics Apprenticeships.
Search for Apprenticeships
Higher Education CAO (Undergraduate)
Higher Education courses at Levels 6 to 8 on the NFQ, delivered in Universities and Technological Universities & Institutes. Courses run from 2 – 5 years and places are allocated on a points-based system, processed by the Central Application Office.
Example search terms include: business, transport, logistics, accounts, finance.
Search for CAO Courses
Pay & Salary - Customs Officers
Salary Range (thousands per year)* €27k - €45k
Salaries vary by employer, role, duties, location, Grade, Shift pattern, allowances, and experience.
Data Source(s):
Payscale/ PAS/ Gov.ie/ Salary Expert/ Glassdoor/ Forsa
Last Updated: March, 2024
Labour Market Updates - Customs Officers
Note: The following information relates to occupations that include: Administrative assistants and officers (national and local government); officers of non-governmental organisations (e.g. administrators (charitable organisation); organisers (trade union); trade union officials.
This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2023).
The changes in classification as a result of the introduction of the new Labour Force Survey in 2017 are partly responsible for the strong employment growth rate for this occupation, although employment also grew strongly between 2019 and 2020, and continued to grow in 2022. Those employed are primarily female (69%), working full-time (90%), and over half (55%) held third-level qualifications. With a higher than average share of persons employed aged 55 years and older (31% compared to 19% for all occupations), replacement demand is likely to result in opportunities opening up for these roles even if employment growth slows.
There was a significant number of vacancies advertised online for clerical officer roles across the civil service and Government administration roles. However, recent job hires for 2022 far exceeded employment growth indicating that job churn is a feature of this occupation. While job openings are set to continue, upskilling and reskilling may also be required for those already employed in these occupations in order to reach targets set out in the Civil Service Renewal Plan 2024 in areas such as in digital skills.
Useful Contacts - Customs Officers
-
Public Appointments Service
- Chapter House, 26/30 Abbey Street Upper, Dublin 1, D01 C7W6
- (01) 858 7400 or Local: 1890 44 9999
- [email protected]
- Click Here
