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Border Customs Inspector Jobs (NOW HIRING)

$109K/yr

Customs and Border Protection, Office of Training and Development, Field Operations Academy (FOA ... Conducting visual and physical inspection of cargo, baggage, conveyances, packing materials and ...

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Border Customs Inspector information

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How much do border customs inspector jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 4, 2026, the average hourly pay for border customs inspector in the United States is $22.43, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $18.03 and $24.52 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Border Customs Inspector, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Border Customs Inspector, you need a solid understanding of customs regulations, import/export laws, and law enforcement procedures, typically supported by relevant education or training. Proficiency with inspection tools, X-ray scanning systems, and customs databases is essential for detecting contraband and processing documentation. Strong attention to detail, integrity, and excellent interpersonal skills help inspectors effectively assess situations and interact with travelers. These skills are crucial for maintaining border security, enforcing regulations, and ensuring the smooth flow of legitimate trade and travel.

What are some common challenges faced by Border Customs Inspectors, and how are they addressed on the job?

Border Customs Inspectors often encounter challenges such as detecting concealed contraband, managing high volumes of travelers or cargo, and handling language barriers with international visitors. To address these, inspectors receive extensive training in risk assessment, use of technology like X-ray scanners, and effective communication skills. They also work closely with other agencies and team members to share information and coordinate enforcement efforts, ensuring border security while facilitating legitimate trade and travel.

What are Border Customs Inspectors?

Border Customs Inspectors are government officials responsible for enforcing laws and regulations at national borders. They inspect people, vehicles, and goods entering or leaving a country to prevent illegal activities such as smuggling, trafficking, and unauthorized entry. Their duties include checking documents, conducting searches, collecting tariffs or duties, and ensuring compliance with customs laws. Border Customs Inspectors play a crucial role in national security and trade facilitation by monitoring and controlling the movement of goods and individuals across borders.

How much does an entry-level border patrol agent get paid?

An entry-level border customs inspector, or border patrol agent, typically earns a starting salary of around $50,000 to $60,000 per year, depending on location and experience. The role often requires passing physical and background checks, and agents may receive additional pay for overtime, night shifts, or specialized training.

What is the difference between Border Customs Inspector vs Customs Officer?

AspectBorder Customs InspectorCustoms Officer
CredentialsHigh school diploma, specialized training, sometimes certificationsHigh school diploma, training, certifications often required
Work EnvironmentBorder crossings, ports, airportsCustoms offices, border stations, ports
Employer & IndustryGovernment agencies, border securityCustoms agencies, government departments
Job FocusInspecting goods, documents, and travelers at bordersEnforcing customs laws, collecting duties, inspecting shipments

Border Customs Inspectors and Customs Officers share similar credentials and work environments, often collaborating at border points. While both enforce customs laws, Border Customs Inspectors primarily focus on inspecting travelers and cargo at border crossings, whereas Customs Officers may handle broader duties within customs agencies, including enforcement and revenue collection.

Infographic showing various Border Customs Inspector job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $46,654 per year, or $22.4 per hour.
CBP Officer (International Trainer/Advisor)

CBP Officer (International Trainer/Advisor)

U.S. Customs and Border Protection

Washington, DC • On-site

$147K/yr

Other

Retirement

This job post has expired today. Applications are no longer accepted.


U.S. Customs and Border Protection rating

8.6

Company rating: 8.6 out of 10

Based on 27 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

123rd of 642 rated public administrative organizations


Job description

Organizational Location: This position is with the Department of Homeland Security, within U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of International Affairs (INA), located in Washington, DC.Qualifications:Experience: You qualify for the GS-14 grade level if you possess 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level, performing duties such as:
  • Creating and providing border security or law enforcement training, including helping to write or update course outlines, lesson plans, slides, and hands-on exercises using real-world experience.
  • Assisting foreign border, customs, immigration, or law enforcement agencies by reviewing how they operate, identifying problems or gaps, and suggesting practical ways to improve.
  • Organizing and running training or advisory projects (including those with multiple countries or agencies), such as setting goals, making schedules, arranging people and resources, monitoring progress, and checking how well the project worked.
  • Acting as a subject matter expert on border security, customs, immigration, or related topics by giving advice and briefings, writing reports and other documents, and helping keep policies, procedures, and training materials up to date with how the work is actually done.

NOTE: Your resume must explicitly indicate how you meet this requirement, otherwise you will be found ineligible. Please see the "Required Documents" section below for additional resume requirements.
Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Secondary CBPO Special Retirement Coverage: This is a secondary position subject to mandatory retirement under the special retirement provisions for Customs and Border Protection Officers (5 CFR 842.1003; 5 USC 8425(b), 5 USC 8335(b); and 5 USC 8412(d). Employees in secondary positions must meet the following conditions in order to be eligible for special retirement provisions: moved directly from a primary position to a secondary position without a break in service; complete 3 years of service in a primary position; and, if applicable, have been continuously employed in a secondary position or positions since moving from a rigorous position without a break in service exceeding 3 days. For more information on required years of service and retirement age, click on this link If you have questions regarding your retirement coverage provisions, please contact the CBP Retirement Operations Center at (202) 863-6180.

The customs and border protection officer mandatory separation provisions of 5 USC 8425 do not apply to an individual first appointed as a customs and border protection officer before July 6, 2008.
Administrative Secondary CBP Officer (CBPO) Special Retirement Coverage (SRC) Requirement: This position meets the definition of secondary administrative CBPO SRC under the laws and regulations defined in 5 U.S.C. 8331 (31), Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) and General Provisions for CBPO defined in 5 U.S.C. 8401(36), Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS). The criterion is that knowledge, skill and ability in a position deemed to meet primary CBPO SRC is a mandatory prerequisite to satisfactorily perform the major duties and responsibilities of this job. The conditions for coverage of a secondary position are contained in 5 C.F.R. 831.1604 for CSRS and 5 C.F.R. 842.1003 for FERS. As defined in 5 C.F.R. 831.1602 CSRS and 5 CFR 842.1002 FERS, to be eligible for this secondary administrative CBP) SRC position you must have permanently served in a primary CBPO SRC position, e.g. Customs Inspector, GS-1890; Immigration Inspector, GS-1816; Canine Enforcement Officer, GS-1801; or CBP Officer, GS-1895.
You must:

  • Meet all qualification requirements, including education if applicable to this position, subject to verification at any stage of the application process; and
  • Meet all applicable Time in Grade requirements (current federal employees must have served 52 weeks at the next lower grade or equivalent grade band in the federal service) by 05/28/2026


Background Investigation: U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is a federal law enforcement agency that requires all applicants to undergo a thorough background investigation prior to employment in order to promote the agency's core values of vigilance, service to country, and integrity. During the screening and/or background investigation process, you will be asked questions regarding any felony criminal convictions or current felony charges, the use of illegal drugs (e.g., marijuana, cocaine, heroin, LSD, methamphetamines, ecstasy), and the use of non-prescribed controlled substances including any experimentation, possession, sale, receipt, manufacture, cultivation, production, transfer, shipping, trafficking, or distribution of controlled substances.
For additional information on the preemployment process, review the following link: Applicant Resources | CBP Careers
Polygraph Examination: The CBP Officer (International Trainer/Advisor) position is a polygraph-required position. If you are not a current CBP employee in a law enforcement position, you may be required to take a polygraph exam and have favorable results in order to continue in the pre-employment process. Please see Polygraph Examination.
Polygraph Reciprocity: CBP may accept the results of a prior federal polygraph exam in lieu of a CBP polygraph exam. You will receive information to request reciprocity in your Background Investigation Package.
Polygraph Waiver: Certain veterans may be eligible to obtain a polygraph waiver. You will receive information to request a waiver in your Background Investigation Package.
If you are not a current GS-1895, and you are selected, you will have to meet the following medical/physical standards:
Physical/Medical Requirements: Following a tentative job offer, candidates must undergo and successfully complete a medical screening process. Individuals must be medically and physically capable of performing the essential job functions and duties of the position safely and efficiently without endangering the health and safety of the individual, others, or national security. For more information regarding the medical screening process and requirements, check out our video and visit our website.
Physical Fitness Test: You will be required to successfully pass the Pre-employment Fitness Test. Please view both Hiring Process Deep Dive Video: The Fitness Test and Pre-Employment Fitness Test Physical Readiness Program, a 6-week program designed to assist you in achieving a level of physical fitness that will help you successfully pass the CBP fitness test.

Residency: There is a residency requirement for all applicants not currently employed by CBP. Individuals are required to have physically resided in the United States or its protectorates (as declared under international law) for at least three of the last five years. If you do not meet the residency requirement and you have been physically located in a foreign location for more than two of the last five years, you may request an exception to determine if you are eligible for a residency waiver by meeting one or more of the following conditions:

  • Working for the U.S. Government as a federal civilian or as a member of the military
  • A dependent who was authorized to accompany a federal civilian or member of the military who was working for the U.S. government
  • Participation in a study abroad program sponsored by a U.S. affiliated college or university
  • Working as a contractor, intern, consultant or volunteer supporting the U.S. government
Education:

Please see the Qualifications and Required Documents sections for more information if education is applicable to this position.

The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the Human Resources Office.

Employment Type: OTHER

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About U.S. Customs and Border Protection

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

U.S. Customs and Border Protection serves and protects America with a workforce of more than 60,000 law enforcement and support professionals. We're united by our mission to guard our borders from threats and illicit activities while facilitating legitimate trade and travel.

Industry

Public administration

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Washington, DC, US

Year founded

2003