All About Immigration and Customs Inspectors
Job Description & Duties Investigate and inspect persons, common carriers, goods, and merchandise, arriving in or departing from the United States or between states to detect violations of immigration and customs laws and regulations.
List of Immigration & Customs Inspector Job Duties
- Locate and seize contraband, undeclared merchandise, and vehicles, aircraft, or boats that contain such merchandise.
- Record and report job-related activities, findings, transactions, violations, discrepancies, and decisions.
- Inspect cargo, baggage, and personal articles entering or leaving U.S. for compliance with revenue laws and U.S. customs regulations.
- Investigate applications for duty refunds and petition for remission or mitigation of penalties when warranted.
- Determine duty and taxes to be paid on goods.
- Interpret and explain laws and regulations to travelers, prospective immigrants, shippers, and manufacturers.
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Immigration & Customs Inspector Needed Skills
Below is a list of the skills most Immigration and Customs Inspectors say are important on the job.
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Social Perceptiveness: Being aware of others’ reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
Judgment and Decision Making: Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Types of Immigration & Customs Inspector Jobs
- Chief, Port Director
- Drug Enforcement Agent
- Supervisory Customs and Border Protection Officer, Port Director
- Supervisory Customs and Border Protection Officer
- Border Patrol Officer
What Kind of Immigration & Customs Inspector Job Opportunities Are There?
In the United States, there were 110,900 jobs for Immigration and Customs Inspector in 2016. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 4.5% which is below the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 5,000 new jobs for Immigration and Customs Inspector by 2026. There will be an estimated 7,500 positions for Immigration & Customs Inspector per year.

The states with the most job growth for Immigration & Customs Inspector are Nevada, Utah, and Arkansas. Watch out if you plan on working in New Jersey, Maryland, or Wyoming. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Average Immigration and Customs Inspectors Salary
Immigration and Customs Inspectors make between $43,800 and $138,860 a year.

Immigration and Customs Inspectors who work in District of Columbia, Alaska, or Hawaii, make the highest salaries.
How much do Immigration and Customs Inspectors make in each U.S. state?
State | Annual Mean Salary |
---|---|
Alabama | $64,750 |
Alaska | $118,360 |
Arizona | $81,810 |
Arkansas | $60,340 |
California | $107,120 |
Colorado | $87,280 |
Connecticut | $90,470 |
Delaware | $89,930 |
District of Columbia | $122,460 |
Florida | $76,560 |
Georgia | $66,430 |
Hawaii | $107,010 |
Idaho | $73,510 |
Illinois | $87,470 |
Indiana | $75,150 |
Iowa | $73,320 |
Kansas | $62,260 |
Kentucky | $71,300 |
Louisiana | $65,090 |
Maine | $70,620 |
Maryland | $102,370 |
Massachusetts | $101,800 |
Michigan | $86,580 |
Minnesota | $76,640 |
Mississippi | $64,150 |
Missouri | $70,860 |
Montana | $81,210 |
Nebraska | $73,480 |
Nevada | $87,680 |
New Hampshire | $80,370 |
New Jersey | $102,600 |
New Mexico | $77,890 |
New York | $91,250 |
North Carolina | $60,810 |
North Dakota | $84,340 |
Ohio | $75,310 |
Oklahoma | $66,130 |
Oregon | $93,840 |
Pennsylvania | $85,730 |
Rhode Island | $86,580 |
South Carolina | $60,420 |
South Dakota | $72,050 |
Tennessee | $71,940 |
Texas | $79,950 |
Utah | $80,840 |
Vermont | $83,060 |
Virginia | $98,850 |
Washington | $85,440 |
West Virginia | $86,340 |
Wisconsin | $76,590 |
Wyoming | $81,750 |
Tools & Technologies Used by Immigration and Customs Inspectors
Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Immigration and Customs Inspectors:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft Outlook
- SAP
- Corel WordPerfect Office Suite
- National Crime Information Center NCIC database
- Law enforcement information databases
- Treasury Enforcement Communications System TECS
How to Become an Immigration & Customs Inspector
Education needed to be an Immigration and Customs Inspector:

How Long Does it Take to Become an Immigration & Customs Inspector?

Who Employs Immigration and Customs Inspectors?

The table below shows some of the most common industries where those employed in this career field work.

References:
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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