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OaSIS 2025 Version 1.0
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43203.01 – Border services and customs officers

Border services and customs officers administer and enforce laws and regulations related to customs and border crossing. They conduct interviews and inspections at border crossings to detect undeclared goods and contraband.

Overview

Example job titles

  • Border services officer (BSO)
  • Customs inspector

Core competencies

  • Critical Thinking, Decision Making and Problem Solving to analyze the context and implications of observations and choose the best course of action, such as determining whether to conduct a more thorough inspection
  • Social Perceptiveness to correctly interpret verbal and non-verbal cues from individuals crossing the border
  • Explosive Strength to lift, push or restrain heavy items while conducting thorough searches, handling contraband or dealing with emergency situations
  • Problem Identification to detect undeclared goods, contraband or suspicious behaviour that might indicate illegal activities
  • Attention to Detail to verify information accurately and spot minor inconsistencies that could indicate larger security issues
  • Knowledge in Public Safety and Security to identify potential security threats and respond to dangerous or prohibited items in the possession of individuals attempting to enter the country

Main duties

This group performs some or all of the following duties:

  • Conduct interviews, using inspections and information-seeking techniques at border points as part of primary and secondary inspections for immigration, food, plant and animals, and customs program functions
  • Apply applicable legislation, policies, and procedure when screening and/or inspecting people and goods
  • Inspect baggage to detect undeclared merchandise, or contraband
  • Inform manufacturers and shippers of customs and laws and procedures
  • Observe fabrication of articles affected by customs laws and conduct appraisals
  • Board carriers arriving from foreign countries to determine nature of cargo to ensure compliance with customs and commerce laws
  • Inspect goods imported by mail
  • Operate firearms and use defensive tactics and physical force when necessary in the performance of duties
  • May conduct an arrest, detention, or conduct personal search of individuals suspected of having committed a criminal offence under the Customs Act or certain other designated Criminal Code offences until police intervention is possible.

Additional information

  • Border services officers must be willing to work anywhere in Canada, including rural and remote areas.
  • Progression to managerial positions in these fields is possible with experience.

Similar occupations classified elsewhere

Exclusions:

  • Social policy researchers, consultants and program officers (41403)

NOC hierarchy breakdown

NOC version

NOC 2021 Version 1.0

Broad occupational category

4 – Occupations in education, law and social, community and government services

TEER

3 – Occupations usually require a college diploma or apprenticeship training of less than two years; or more than six months of on-the-job training

Major group

43 – Assisting occupations in education and in legal and public protection

Sub-major group

432 – Assisting occupations in legal and public protection

Minor group

4320 – Assisting occupations in legal and public protection

Unit group

43203 – Border services, customs, and immigration officers

Occupational profile

43203.01 – Border services and customs officers

O*NET in-it

This page includes information from the O*NET 27.2 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. Employment and Social Development Canada has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.