History
Customs and Excise is probably the oldest of our government 'forces', dating back to at least 743. By the 13th century there was a national organization of customs service, and when you declare something you bought abroad, the customs officer looks up duty payable in a book of rates, first published in 1506.
As a temporary measure to pay for the Civil War, excise duty was levied on beer in 1643 and it is still there today. At the same time, duty was levied on spirits. This was incredibly unpopular and helped ‘glamorize’ smuggling. When gin, whisky, etc. were regarded as social drinks, the average person thought nothing of trying to evade duty. Kipling wrote in a poem 'watch the wall, my darling, whilst the gentlemen ride by', meaning smugglers carrying 'brandy to the person, baccy (tobacco) to the clerk' were people well-known in the community. People looked away so they could truthfully say they hadn't seen smuggled goods.
During the Napoleonic Wars smuggling was rife. When customs officers seized one cargo of lace the value was over a million pounds. Notorious highwaymen attacked customs officers, and at one time they couldn't ride out 'between dusk and dawn'.
Today, the fight is against more organized criminals, and carried out by computer rather than hand-to-hand fighting. But those working in the service are following in the footsteps of Geoffrey Chaucer and Robert Burns, both customs officials. If you want to learn more, visit the H.M. Customs and Excise National Museum in Liverpool.
Customs officers form the first line of defense against all forms of smuggling, and ensure that health and trade regulations are obeyed. However, the move towards the European Market means that fewer jobs are available than previously. Although it remains an important area of work, you are likely to start your career in the revenue-gathering section. There are opportunities for dog handlers with 'sniffer' detection dogs (anti-terrorist and drugs), but you have to be a serving officer before you can apply to join a dog-handling unit.
Entry requirements
Entry into Customs and Excise is by the civil service entry exam. IT skills are important, as much work is on projects worked out on computers. The higher the job band, the higher the pay. You will need:
- Job Bands 5/6: 5 GCSE passes or equivalent (including English Language), including 2 at A Level (or equivalent), generally aged 17-55;
- Job Bands 3/4: 5 GCSE or equivalent passes at Grade C (including English Language), generally aged 16-59;
- Job Bands 1/2: 2 GCSE or equivalent passes at Grade C (including English Language), generally 16-59.
Jobs are to be found all over Britain, at large and small airports. Work is varied, and not many people know these officers have the right to make arrests. For more information, ring 01702 367888 or see the Web site www hmce.gov.uk.
Immigration
Working alongside Customs and Excise is Immigration. It is the Immigration team that asks to see your passport when you arrive at or leave an airport. The Immigration Service comes under the Home Office, and has two main functions. First, at ports of entry, it is responsible for the control of persons entering the country and decides whether to admit them. Where and when necessary, they refuse entry and supervise the removal of those who have entered or attempted to enter the country in breach of immigration laws.
Second, Immigration is responsible for identifying those already in the country who have no authority to remain, and removes them.
Duties include examination of passengers, surveillance and intelligence-based activity, forgery detection and the gathering of evidence. Officers in the enforcement field regularly conduct immigration visits with police assistance. Their aim is to provide a high-quality and non-discriminatory immigration control in accordance with the law, published service standards and the UK's international obligations.
Those words don't really tell you the overall picture. If you have an analytical and enquiring mind, and are happy with IT, then you could find work in this service fascinating. Find out more on www.homeoffice.gov.uk.
Entry into a career in Immigration is by the Civil Service entry exam.
