Customs officer: tasks and pay
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As a customs officer you supervise the import, export and transit of goods. You check the goods, verify that all documents are in order and collect import duties and excise duties. Whether you work as a customs official or as a customs and excise controller, you always follow the safety regulations and the legislation. The job combines outdoor work with control tasks for the government. You patrol, carry out risk analyses and draw up official reports when you find offences. In Belgium you typically work for the FOD Financiën, often around ports, airports and other logistics hubs where goods enter and leave the country.
Typical tasks
- Check customs documents and inspect goods
- Collect import duties and excise duties
- Draw up official reports for offences or crimes
- Patrol and keep watch in the field
- Carry out risk analyses
- Plan activities and record your findings
- Work safely, carefully and in line with the legislation
Required skills
- At least a secondary education diploma and success in a federal selection procedure
- Integrity and a clean criminal record
- Accuracy when checking documents and goods
- Physically fit for patrols and outdoor work
- Knowledge of several languages is an asset in an international environment
What does a customs officer earn?
Indicative Belgian pay range: €2,800 to €4,200 gross per month for full-time employment. Your salary follows the government pay scales and grows with your grade and seniority. Employee pay estimate; actual pay depends on experience, sector pay scales and working hours. Premiums, overtime and benefits are separate.
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Frequently asked questions
Answers to the most common questions about applying via Werkvolk.
What does a customs officer do?
A customs officer supervises the import, export and transit of goods. You check goods and customs documents, collect import duties and excise duties and draw up official reports when you find offences. You also patrol, carry out risk analyses and always work according to the safety regulations and the legislation.
How much does a customs officer earn in Belgium?
Indicative Belgian pay range: €2,800 to €4,200 gross per month for full-time employment. Your salary follows the government pay scales and grows with your grade and seniority. Employee pay estimate; actual pay depends on experience, sector pay scales and working hours. Premiums, overtime and benefits are separate.
What is the difference between a customs officer and a customs control officer?
Customs officer is the general name for everyone who monitors the flow of goods at the border. A customs control officer focuses mainly on the administrative side: checking declarations and documents and determining import duties and excise duties. As a customs officer you can also patrol and carry out checks in the field. In practice both roles work within the same customs administration.
Is there demand for customs officers in Flanders?
Yes, the demand is steady, especially around ports, airports and logistics hubs where large volumes of goods enter and leave the country. International trade and stricter controls keep the workload high, so the government regularly organises selection procedures. Candidates who are accurate, stress-resistant and multilingual have good chances.
Which diplomas or certificates do you need as a customs officer?
For most customs jobs you need at least a secondary education diploma and you have to pass a selection procedure of the federal government. After recruitment the FOD Financiën provides internal training on customs legislation, control techniques and safety. A clean criminal record and a strong sense of integrity are essential for this job.
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