The Work

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 Officers - from: GradIreland
• Customs Officers - from: N.C.S. [UK]
• Customs Officers - from: GradIreland

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.

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. 

Training & Development 

FET Centre Traineeship: Business Admin, Customer service in centres around Ireland NFQ Level 5 Search our FET Coursefinder

FET PLC Courses: Business administration, Transport & logistics, Law, Security at NFQ Levels 5-6 Search our FET PLC Coursefinder

Apprenticeship: Accounting, Finance, Transport & Logistics Apprenticeships at NFQ level 6-8 Search Apprenticeships

Higher Education CAO Entry: Business, Transport & Logistics, Accounts & Finance at NFQ Levels 6-8 Search our CAO coursefinder

Professional Development 

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

1. Apply online at Publicjobs.ie before closing date;
2. Online Assessment Questionnaire;
3. Interview.

Last Updated: November, 2023

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

* The lower figures typically reflect starting salaries. Higher salaries are awarded to those with greater experience and responsibility. Positions in Dublin sometimes command higher salaries.

View Salary information from Indeed.ie
Note: data not aways available

This occupation has been identified as a Job in Demand by the most recent National Skills Bulletin.

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.

• Public Appointments Service

  • Chapter House, 26/30 Abbey Street Upper, Dublin 1, D01 C7W6
  • (01) 858 7400 or Local: 1890 44 9999
  • [email protected]
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