Frequently Asked Question(s)
Q:Which degrees are helpful to become a customs agent?
A:Degrees such as an associate's or bachelor's program degree in a field like criminal justice, security management and psychology are quite helpful to become a customs agent. There are also some specialist certifications and diplomas at post graduate level that can specialize you in specific areas.
Q:Can you tell me how to become a customs agent in the United States?
A:There are some key eligibility requisites to become a customs agent. One of the most essential requirement is that you need to be of 21 years of age or older. You have to clear the physical and written tests with exceptional grades. It is compulsory to have a 2 or 4 year college degree and attend fourteen weeks of dedicated training.
Q:Do the customs agents and policing customs officers in the United States get the customs agent cost of living allowance?
A:In the United States, the customs agents work under the federal and state government. These government institutions and councils may have different policies, but all of them offer robust and quite comprehensive incentives. The Customs Agent cost of living allowance is one of them. In states that border other countries and the oceans, the customs agents also get incentives such as separate accommodations.
Q:What are the job responsibilities of a custom agent?
A:Customs agents are responsible for enforcing federal laws on people and merchandise coming in to the United States. These agents are present at airports and border crossings in order to monitor and protect. Custom agents are federal law officials who work for the Depart of Homeland Security. Students interested are advised to search our website for a list of institutions offering qualifications related to this profession.
Q:My search for how to become a custom police officer mentioned APEC. How is this organization related to custom officers?
A:APEC stands for Asian Pacific Economic Corporation. Custom police officers employed to work in the United States work for the Custom and Excise Department. This department is an active member of World Customs Organization and APEC. This relationship allows American custom officers to work in association with overseas custom departments.
Q:Custom agents are required to perform what duties on their job?
A:Custom agents are professionals who investigate shipment of goods, luggage, vehicles, and aircrafts. We usually find such professionals working at local and international airports. Their job description comprises of the following main duties: inspect luggage, enforce trade laws, prevent security mishaps, apprehending illegal immigrants, assessing border trade and flow, and deporting illegal immigrants.
Q:Can I find customs agent jobs with a bachelor's degree?
A:With a bachelor's degree you can find entry level customs agent jobs. In this regard no special subject is required but a relevant subject like criminal justice can help. Having a bachelor's degree does not require you to have any experience. But if you do not have a bachelor degree, then a three year experience in the field might be required.
Q:What do custom agents do?
A:United States custom agents are responsible for enforcing more than four hundred custom laws. In addition to this they also enforce laws relating to other federal agencies. Their job duties include making sure that import duties are paid, confiscating illegal items and stopping people without the proper paperwork from entering the country.
Q:Can you give me some basic information about a custom agent salary?
A:According to O*Net Online, customs officers made a annual median wage of $76,730 in 2013. There are a number of other fringe benefits for CBP agents such as life insurance, federal health insurance, long term care insurance, thrift savings plan, uniform allowance, leave days, and flexible checking accounts.
(Source: O*Net Online)
Q:I was searching for "how to become a customs agent" and found out about online programs. Can I manage them with a job?
A:Online education programs for customs agent can be a lot more convenient and flexible, than the regular programs. If you are working and are unable to acquire on campus education, online education can be ideal for you. Besides, online programs also save your travelling, accommodation, and textbook costs. You can also save tuition costs, as online programs are relatively cheaper.
Q:How to become an immigration officer?
A:To become an immigration officer, you need to complete all the job and educational requirements. Entry-level immigration officer jobs are usually classified at the GS-5 level, which means they require a bachelor's degree, or four years of college education from an accredited college. You will need to request transcripts from the college you attended to prove you meet this requirement.
Q:How to become a customs agent?
A:Most customs agents have an associate's or bachelor's degree in a field such as criminal justice, security management or psychology. Graduates in fields such as humanities and the liberal arts are also candidates for the US Customs and Border Patrol. After graduation, prospective customs agents must an interview with the CBP, and pass a number of written and oral tests. These tests include general reasoning and language and aptitude tests. An extensive background check is also carried out, before students are called in for a final interview and a medical exam to assess their physical fitness.
Q:Where do customs agent usually work?
A:Custom agents are professionals who work in the Department of US Customs and Border Protection. These officials are present are usually every border crossing in the country. Their main job role is to prevent any illegal substance, product, or weapons from entering the country. Many custom agents play a crucial role in anti-smuggling activities.
Q:What are the benefits of going for a custom agent's job?
A:A custom agent's job has a sufficient amount of benefits and opportunities for career growth. According to O*Net, the annual median salary earned by a customs and immigration officer was $76,730. Custom agents enter federal service at G-5 or G-7 level and are given the opportunity to acquire G-11 non-competitively. They receive various benefits including life insurance, federal health insurance, long term care insurance, Thrift Savings Plan, uniform allowance, leaves, and flexible checking accounts.
(Source: O*Net Online and U.S Customs and Border Protection)
Q:What are the skills required in the airport customs agent jobs?
A:There are some essential skills for professionals in the airport customs agent jobs. These skills are polished after acquiring the relevant education and spending ample time in the training. These professionals require excellent interpersonal skills and teamwork skills, assertiveness, resilience, stress tolerance, communication skills, and should also have the ability to make quick and effective decisions.
Q:What are the customs agent requirements?
A:Custom agents usually have an associate's or bachelor's degree in a field such as criminal justice, psychology, or security management. Knowledge of foreign language can also be helpful. After graduation, an interview with CBP is conducted, and candidates must also pass a written and oral test. Medical exams are also taken to assess the physical fitness of the candidate.
Q:How to become a customs broker? What are the minimum requirements?
A:To become a customs broker, you must have a US citizenship, over the age of 21, clear a background check, and clear the brokers examinations with a satisfactory score of 75% or higher. All customs brokers must have an understanding of entry procedures, duty taxes, fees for imported goods, and fines. To find out more about this career field, browse through our page.
Q:How long does it take to become a customs agent?
A:It may take you 4 to 6 years to become a customs agent. Most people acquire a bachelor's or an associate's degree in relevant subjects such as criminal justice or security management before applying for the U.S. customs and border patrol services. After acceptance, students enroll in an agency administered training program. Completing this program is mandatory.
Q:What degree do you need to become a customs agent?
A:You must at least complete a bachelor's degree program in order to become a customs agent. In some cases, a year of graduate coursework after your bachelor's degree may also be required. A degree with any major is generally acceptable, but preferable fields of study include criminal justice and law.
Q:What are the requirements to become a customs agent?
A:To become a customs agent you need to be a citizen of the United States, you must have a valid driver's license, you must be below the age of 40 at the time of application, and you must clear a medical exam, a drug screening test, background check, a physical fitness test and a polygraph test. In addition to this, you must at least have an associates or bachelor's degree, and in some cases, coursework beyond a bachelor's degree in a relevant subject such as criminal justice.
Q:What do customs agent do?
A:The primary task of a customs agent is to secure and protect the United States national borders. Customs agents prevent illegal immigrants, weapons, terrorists and illegal drugs from entering America. In addition to this, they patrol border areas that have been assigned to them and monitor cargoes that come and go across the border.
Q:Why become a customs agent?
A:According to O*Net Online, immigrations and customs inspectors made a median annual salary of $76,730 in 2013. The career may also come with fringe benefits such as a health insurance, paid training, and paid leaves.
(Source: O*Net Online)