CAREER IN CUSTOMS

<p style="text-align: justify;">A Customs Officer deals with the formulation and application of policies for collecting of customs and central excise duties, preventing smuggling, etc. A career in customs would require one to comply with the Customs Act, which aims at preventing illegal <img style="border: 3px solid black; margin: 3px 4px; float: right;" src="https://images.shiksha.com/mediadata/images/1259900732phpmkQtio.jpeg" alt="" width="122" height="143">imports and exports of goods. For the purpose of exercising proper surveillance over imports and exports, the Central Government has the power to notify the ports and airports for the unloading of the imported goods, loading of the exported goods, the places for clearance of goods imported or to be exported, the routes by which goods may pass by land or inland water into or out of India and the ports which alone shall be coastal ports</p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><strong>The Prospects</strong></span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><br />Choosing a career of Customs would mean being in civil services where the atmosphere in the individual offices differs and depends on the person in-charge as it does in any department in a corporate organization. Civil servants do work under pressure but not the kind as many people in the corporate sector do. Their work, however, is equally difficult and challenging. Civil servants gain time-scale promotions with proportionate increase in privileges. The service facilities are excellent and there is very good social welfare facilities extended post retirement. Civil Servants are entitled to subsidized accommodation, telephone and transport facilities. They receive unparalleled social status as well.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><br /><span style="font-size: small;"><strong>The Job</strong></span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><br />Customs officers work mainly in airports and docks, both in uniform and plain clothes to ensure that the due import and export licensing procedures are complied with. Initially they are posted in coastal towns and later at airports. The career path is that one starts as an Assistant Collector of Customs to Deputy Collector, Additional Collector, Collector and finally, Principal Collector of Customs. The recent restructuring of the department has improved the career progression of officers. The Departmental Training Academy regularly updates officers on changes in law and procedure to equip them for the challenges ahead. The duties include:-</p> <p style="text-align: justify;">&nbsp;</p> <ul style="text-align: justify;"> <li>Review Customs Declarations and make sure that importers are classifying their goods correctly, paying right amount of duty and are not engaged in smuggling.</li> <li>In the Courier section you will use all your customs skills to target and examine express packages for revenue infractions, drugs and other contraband.</li> <li>Viewing arriving and disembarking airline passengers and examining their baggage for undeclared goods, drugs and other contraband. </li> <li>In Parcel Post you will work closely with postal staff in targeting and examining postal packages for revenue infractions, drugs and other contraband.</li> <li>When posted at a port, boarding and clearing arriving and departing pleasure craft and cruise ships.</li> <li>At the air and sea cargo terminals a trainee will learn to control the movement of goods into and out of the cargo facility. You will also learn to use the X-ray detection equipment to find drugs and other contraband.</li> </ul> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><strong>Personality traits</strong></span></p> <ul style="text-align: justify;"> <li>Ability to organize time and resources effectively</li> <li>Ability to communicate and interact with all kinds of people</li> <li>Communicate clearly, orally and in writing</li> <li>Empathize with the under privileged</li> <li>Hold and delegate authority</li> <li>Enjoy responsibility with accountability</li> <li>Great personal integrity</li> </ul> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><strong>Salary</strong></span><br /><br />Civil servants gain time-scale promotions with proportionate increase in privileges.</p> <ul style="text-align: justify;"> <li>The Junior Scale is Rs.8000-275-13500 </li> <li>After completing four years of service you are promoted to the Senior Scale of your service where the entitlement is 10000-325-15200.</li> <li>After completing nine years of service you will be promoted to the Junior Administrative Grade which is 12000-375-16500.</li> <li>You will be considered for the coveted Selection grade in the fourteenth year of your service Rs.14300-400-18300.</li> <li>The best officers are eligible for the next promotion i.e. the Senior Administrative Grade. This is Rs.18400-500-22400.</li> <li>Following this your promotion to the Higher Administrative grade will depend on your performance which is reflected in the Annual Confidential Report (ARC). However, the mandatory eligibility is a minimum of 25 years of service.</li> </ul> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><strong>Study Route</strong></span><br /></p> <p style="text-align: justify;">To become a Customs Officer you will have to take the Civil Services Examination which provides entry into 27 different services <img style="border: 3px solid black; margin: 3px 4px; float: right;" src="https://images.shiksha.com/mediadata/images/1259900952phpfqAnRv.jpeg" alt="" width="150" height="110">including the Indian Customs &amp; Central Excise Services. The Civil Services Exam (CSE) is conducted in two parts consisting of a Preliminary and a Main Exam. Although a Bachelor&rsquo;s degree in any stream is the basic qualification, in fact most people who make it to the Civil Services are postgraduates and above. Those selected for the Customs Service are trained in Chennai. You can also take your State Public Service Commission&rsquo;s Allied Services Exam for state-level jobs in Customs.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><br />The CSE is conducted every year by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) as a common examination for various services like the IAS, IFS, IPS, Group A and Group B Central Services. The notification for the examination, giving rules and the syllabus for all subjects included in the exam is published in the month of November/ December every year in Employment News/ Rozgar Samachar and Gazette of India, as well as in most Newspapers. It is recommended that interested students get a copy of the notification from the Employment News or other publications.</p> <p><strong>Source:Compass One </strong></p> <p><strong>Date: 4th Nov., 2009</strong></p> <hr /> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>For further details about related courses and colleges please click below:</strong></span></p> <p><a title="Related courses and colleges" href="https://professionals.shiksha.com/">Related courses and colleges</a></p>