Training

Customs is a large organization with offices in all capital cities and also in some regional centres. Customs offers varied and challenging work.

That’s why Customs officers can move through a variety of work areas. Some of them involve shift-work and overtime. Most officers work closely with the public.

In the course of your career you will have the opportunity to develop different skills and undertake a wide range of tasks. At the Customs Academy you learn about the legal areas in which Customs operates to fulfill enforcement objectives. After learning the theory you will be asked to put your knowledge into practice.

Working at different departments you will understand that teamwork is essential to the day-to-day operation. And you can be asked to take on many different roles. Firstly, you must be able to understand and correctly apply many Russian laws, whether searching people’s baggage or cargo, X-raying postal items, checking passports, or questioning travellers[1].

Moreover you will see that the large number of travellers entering and leaving the country can be a challenge in itself. Many of them are questioned, some are searched and some are penalized or charged if they break the law.

Attention, concentration and clear thinking combined with an ability to question and look for connections between people are essential. The increased threat of terrorism means that this is even more important.

Being polite and respectful at all times and having an ability to cool down conflict is an important part of the job. You will meet people who are tired, upset or anxious and they can be difficult to deal with.

Exercise 7. Answer the questions below:

1. What does the work of a Customs officer involve?

2. What opportunities do Customs officers have during their career?

3. What qualities does a Customs officer need?

4. How is theory and practice combined in this job?

5. What types of passengers do Customs officers deal with?

6. What factors make the work of a Customs officer more complicated?

Exercise 8. Supply the missing words.

1. The number of Customs areas is__________.

2. Speech skills and habits need hard work and regular ___________.

3. Passengers are __________if they break the law.

4. The increased ___________of terrorism means that this is even more important.

5. Customs operates to fulfill_________ objectives.