Occupations · Protective Service

Customs and Border Protection Officers

Investigate and inspect persons, common carriers, goods, and merchandise, arriving in or departing from the United States or between states to detect violations of immigration and customs laws and regulations.

O*NET 30.3 Database (USDOL/ETA) · occupation code 33-3051.04

What people in this job actually do

Ordered by how important the work is rated.

Examine immigration applications, visas, and passports and interview persons to determine eligibility for admission, residence, and travel in the U.S.
Detain persons found to be in violation of customs or immigration laws and arrange for legal action, such as deportation.
Inspect cargo, baggage, and personal articles entering or leaving U.S. for compliance with revenue laws and U.S. customs regulations.
Locate and seize contraband, undeclared merchandise, and vehicles, aircraft, or boats that contain such merchandise.
Interpret and explain laws and regulations to travelers, prospective immigrants, shippers, and manufacturers.
Institute civil and criminal prosecutions and cooperate with other law enforcement agencies in the investigation and prosecution of those in violation of immigration or customs laws.
Testify regarding decisions at immigration appeals or in federal court.
Record and report job-related activities, findings, transactions, violations, discrepancies, and decisions.
Determine duty and taxes to be paid on goods.
Collect samples of merchandise for examination, appraisal, or testing.
Investigate applications for duty refunds and petition for remission or mitigation of penalties when warranted.

O*NET 30.3 task ratings, importance scale

Skills that matter most

Importance, rated 1 to 5.

Critical Thinking4.0

Speaking4.0

Active Listening4.0

Reading Comprehension3.9

Writing3.6

Monitoring3.6

Active Learning3.4

Learning Strategies2.6

Mathematics2.2

Science1.9

O*NET 30.3 skills, importance scale

Software and tools

A dot marks what O*NET flags as in demand.

IBM WebSphere MQ●Microsoft Excel●Microsoft Office software●Microsoft Outlook●Microsoft Word●SAP software●Automated Manifest System AMSCorel WordPerfect Office SuiteGlobal positioning system GPS softwareLaw enforcement information databasesNational Crime Information Center (NCIC) databaseTreasury Enforcement Communications System TECS

O*NET 30.3 software skills · hot-technology flag

What this work is actually like

Conditions rated against the average across all occupations — only what makes this job different is listed.

3 / 5Medium preparation — vocational training or an associate degree, plus 1–2 years of work.

O*NET 30.3 Job Zones

Working conditions that stand out

Exposed to Radiation+2.2 above average

Exposed to Extremely Bright or Inadequate Lighting Conditions+1.7 above average

Exposed to Disease or Infections+1.7 above average

Outdoors, Exposed to All Weather Conditions+1.7 above average

Outdoors, Under Cover+1.6 above average

Dealing With Unpleasant, Angry, or Discourteous People+1.4 above average

Dealing with Violent or Physically Aggressive People+1.4 above average

O*NET 30.3 work context, frequency scale · observed 2012-07

How people actually get in

Share of workers by the education they hold.

High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)39%

Bachelor's Degree27%

Some College Courses14%

Post-Secondary Certificate - awarded for training completed after high school (for example, in agriculture or natural resources, computer services, personal or culinary services, engineering technologies, healthcare, construction trades, mechanic and repair technologies, or precision production)10%

O*NET 30.2 education, training and experience · observed 2012-07

What kind of person the work suits

Occupational interest profile, rated 1 to 7.

Conventional5.3

Enterprising4.3

Realistic3.4

O*NET 30.2 occupational interests (RIASEC)

What you take with you

Skills rated for how well they transfer into other occupations.

Social Perceptiveness3.9

Judgment and Decision Making3.6

Coordination3.4

Persuasion3.1

Complex Problem Solving3.1

Service Orientation3.0

Time Management3.0

Negotiation3.0

O*NET 30.3 transferable skills, importance scale

Knowledge the work draws on

Law and GovernmentPublic Safety and SecurityEnglish LanguageCustomer and Personal ServicePsychologyAdministrative

Abilities it leans on

Oral ComprehensionNear VisionInductive ReasoningProblem SensitivityOral ExpressionSpeech Clarity

O*NET 30.3 abilities and knowledge, importance scale

How this job is advertised

The same work is posted under many titles — this is what to search for.

Duty OfficerSpecial AgentCustoms OpenerCustoms PackerDrug InspectorCustoms OfficerPatrol InspectorCustoms VerifierImport SpecialistCustoms InspectorCustoms SpecialistBorder Patrol AgentPassport SpecialistDeportation Officer

O*NET 30.3 job titles reported for this occupation

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What changed since 2020

Comparing O*NET release 25.1 (2020-11-01) with 30.3 (2026-05-01). Signs, not colour alone, carry the meaning. 3 entries that were only relabelled between releases are left out.

Now listed 2

+Global positioning system GPS software+IBM WebSphere MQ

Diff across the O*NET releases held here in full since October 2015, following occupations through merges and retirements. O*NET re-surveys occupations on a rolling cycle, so “no change” can also mean “not re-surveyed”.

O*NET 30.3 related occupations

Also called

InspectorDuty OfficerSpecial AgentCustoms OpenerCustoms PackerDrug InspectorCustoms OfficerPatrol InspectorCustoms VerifierImport SpecialistCustoms InspectorCustoms Specialist

O*NET 30.3 alternative titles

The same work in Europe

ESCO occupation	ISCO	Match
customs officer	3351.1	exact
immigration officer	3351.3	exact
customs and excise officer	3331.1	close
import export specialist	3331.2.1	broader

Official ESCO ↔ O*NET crosswalk (ESCO Secretariat with USDOL/ETA)

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