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

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.

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.

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

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

Note: The following information relates to occupations that include: National government administrative occupations, Local government administrative occupations, Officers of non-governmental organisations.

This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2024).

The strong employment growth rate for this occupation relates mainly to growth between 2020 and 2021, with employment levels falling by 7,000 since 2022. Despite this there was a relatively high level of recent job hires for this occupation in 2023, and it also featured strongly in online job adverts (Eurostat/CEDEFOP) data. At 59%, this occupation had the highest share with third level qualifications across the group potentially leading to a level of skills mismatches.

Job openings are likely to continue, particularly given the size of the occupation and the slightly higher than average share of older workers. 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]
  • Click Here