Any Us Customs And Bp Agents On Here?

TexasAl · August 17, 2011

I figure that we have members from all walks of life, so I am hoping we have a few CBP agents that can help me out. I am the process of changing careers, and I am interested in becoming a customs officer. Can anybody that works with the CBP give me any tips on how to make sure the hiring process doesn't get delayed? No criminal history. Also, I am taking the exam in a couple of weeks. Any tips are welcome. I have a few more questions, but I will wait to see if anybody replies. Thanks in advance for your help.

AzDragonLord · August 17, 2011

Good luck!

Mckenzie · August 17, 2011

It's a good job with good pay, good luck!

Doug_Scott · August 18, 2011

It's a good job with good pay, good luck!

Not so sure about working the US/MEX border with all the drug crap going on.

nick3941sd · August 18, 2011

I went through the whole BP process. I live in NY and was put in to be stationed in AZ. I got hired with a police dept in NY in 12/09 and 2hrs later I was finally offered from the USBP (who said I would of been contacted months eariler). Since I already accepted with the PD I withdrew my app with USBP figuring I'd be better off staying in NY rather than moving across the country.

Basicaly the process goes you take the exam. You pass and get a huge background packet and application and a lot of other paperwork. I beleive the next step was a full medical check up and and a PT test (step test, push up, sit ups). Next was drug test. Next was a board interview with USBP where you are put through tough scenarios (this part is pass/fail). Then the background check begins and you do another PT test which is run, push ups, sit ups. Then I believe there was one more interview and then offer for employment... I believe this is in order how the process went for me, its been awhile. In your application you should be able to try and pick where you want to be stationed between AZ, TX, CA, NM to start. I picked AZ. If you do get hired the academy is in NM and after the academy you have 10mo of field training in West TX then you get to where you will be stationed.

Good luck it is a long process from beginning to end so have patience. Also do your best on the test and make no mistakes on the paperwork. With how many applications the BP is receiving they will easily DQ someone that looks like they cant follow instructions to get down to the best candidates quickly.

johnnyz71 · August 18, 2011

Why the customs agent/border patrol? I would much rather apply for a local police department/state police department & most likely make the same amount of money. I live in NYS and our NYS troopers make an average of $112,000 a year (that includes all the ranks). No thanks to staying on the Mexican border and having that craziness right across the street (literally).

If I could go back in time, I would have chosen the path of a police officer. I was choosing between police officer or owning my own business/being involved in the family business--I choose number 2. I have a some good friends who are cops and my cousin is a sergeant with a local PD. I go on ride alongs a few times a year. I just like the fact that every day is different and you can make some good money when picked up by a town department (between overtime and also being promoted). Most people are surprised to hear that a lot of these guys make close to $100K or over $100K (that's with the overtime).

TexasAl · August 19, 2011

I went through the whole BP process. I live in NY and was put in to be stationed in AZ. I got hired with a police dept in NY in 12/09 and 2hrs later I was finally offered from the USBP (who said I would of been contacted months eariler). Since I already accepted with the PD I withdrew my app with USBP figuring I'd be better off staying in NY rather than moving across the country.

Basicaly the process goes you take the exam. You pass and get a huge background packet and application and a lot of other paperwork. I beleive the next step was a full medical check up and and a PT test (step test, push up, sit ups). Next was drug test. Next was a board interview with USBP where you are put through tough scenarios (this part is pass/fail). Then the background check begins and you do another PT test which is run, push ups, sit ups. Then I believe there was one more interview and then offer for employment... I believe this is in order how the process went for me, its been awhile. In your application you should be able to try and pick where you want to be stationed between AZ, TX, CA, NM to start. I picked AZ. If you do get hired the academy is in NM and after the academy you have 10mo of field training in West TX then you get to where you will be stationed.

Good luck it is a long process from beginning to end so have patience. Also do your best on the test and make no mistakes on the paperwork. With how many applications the BP is receiving they will easily DQ someone that looks like they cant follow instructions to get down to the best candidates quickly.

Thanks for the info. and great tips! I am just wondering if I can specify which ports I want to work in. I just bought a house last year, and my wife loves her job, so I'd really prefer not to move if I don't have to. Luckily, we live in the McAllen area (Texas), and there are several ports in the area.I would not mind any of these at all. I wonder what happens if they offer me a position in El Paso or west Texas, and I decline. Will they allow me to wait for a position near my geographical area?

TexasAl · August 19, 2011

The reason I am interested in joining the US CBP is that I like the variety of roles available. I would be very interested in eventually becoming a supervisor in charge of local training, or perhaps be part of the human resources division. Personally, I would not like to become a LEO in this area. There are so many bad guys with guns that would not hesitate to shoot a cop on a random stop. The areas are very large, and with the budget problems the country is having, there are less officers to back you up. Something I would definitely enjoy with CBP is the secondary inspection and dismantling of vehicles when contraband is found. I've seen a few episodes of "border wars", and I thought that was the coolest thing. Above all, serving my country by protecting our borders is something I feel is important. I'll let you guys know if it works out.

Roofer · August 19, 2011

The reason I am interested in joining the US CBP is that I like the variety of roles available. I would be very interested in eventually becoming a supervisor in charge of local training, or perhaps be part of the human resources division. Personally, I would not like to become a LEO in this area. There are so many bad guys with guns that would not hesitate to shoot a cop on a random stop. The areas are very large, and with the budget problems the country is having, there are less officers to back you up. Something I would definitely enjoy with CBP is the secondary inspection and dismantling of vehicles when contraband is found. I've seen a few episodes of "border wars", and I thought that was the coolest thing. Above all, serving my country by protecting our borders is something I feel is important. I'll let you guys know if it works out.

Thanks! I was hoping that would be part of your post.

ChevyTech77 · August 19, 2011

Thanks! I was hoping that would be part of your post.

X1000.

nick3941sd · August 19, 2011

I went through the whole BP process. I live in NY and was put in to be stationed in AZ. I got hired with a police dept in NY in 12/09 and 2hrs later I was finally offered from the USBP (who said I would of been contacted months eariler). Since I already accepted with the PD I withdrew my app with USBP figuring I'd be better off staying in NY rather than moving across the country.

Basicaly the process goes you take the exam. You pass and get a huge background packet and application and a lot of other paperwork. I beleive the next step was a full medical check up and and a PT test (step test, push up, sit ups). Next was drug test. Next was a board interview with USBP where you are put through tough scenarios (this part is pass/fail). Then the background check begins and you do another PT test which is run, push ups, sit ups. Then I believe there was one more interview and then offer for employment... I believe this is in order how the process went for me, its been awhile. In your application you should be able to try and pick where you want to be stationed between AZ, TX, CA, NM to start. I picked AZ. If you do get hired the academy is in NM and after the academy you have 10mo of field training in West TX then you get to where you will be stationed.

Good luck it is a long process from beginning to end so have patience. Also do your best on the test and make no mistakes on the paperwork. With how many applications the BP is receiving they will easily DQ someone that looks like they cant follow instructions to get down to the best candidates quickly.

Thanks for the info. and great tips! I am just wondering if I can specify which ports I want to work in. I just bought a house last year, and my wife loves her job, so I'd really prefer not to move if I don't have to. Luckily, we live in the McAllen area (Texas), and there are several ports in the area.I would not mind any of these at all. I wonder what happens if they offer me a position in El Paso or west Texas, and I decline. Will they allow me to wait for a position near my geographical area?

I'd imagine they would work with you to get where you want be stationed. I'd put in for TX and take what you can get. If you dont get put into your local area you will be able to transfer back quite quickly with how big BP is down there.

Like I said I got hired with a PD in NY (Canton, NY) the state I live in but 4 hrs from my hometown. So I accepted it and moved. And this Sept (only after 21 months of working) I'm transfering back to my hometown (Buffalo).

And either way you will have to leave for some time. Academy is in NM (at least 6mo if i remember) and field training is in Western TX (10mo). Put these two together and thats prob 18 months worth of training.

My best advice if you dont get stationed local after training would be to accept what they give you, get an apt where you will be stationed (you will be making plenty to afford an apt on the side). Travel home on days off or do what a lot of law enforcement and CO's do, work a bunch of doubles so you can get 5+ days off in a row to go home and see your family. If you dont get local you will be able to transfer back quickly. If i would of taken the position it would of taken me years to get back to NY.

Dont hesitate to take it if you get offered. State and Federal jobs are some of the best jobs to have with pay and benifits. If you have interest in military and LE you'll love the job. You'll see a lot, have a lot of fun, learn a lot etc. But dont forget it also comes with those tense and risky moments where something routine can go straight to hell faster than you can imagine. With BP you'll eaily be at or over 100k/yr by your third year. With BP the raises come big and quick in the first few years then slow down (unless you get promoted).

AGT · August 22, 2011

I do customs brokerage and want to join but only for my local port. I will not move and the guys I know at customs are great but its a big knowledge base. I would definitely be familiar with 49 CFR and 19 CFR as well as the HSTUS but that goes without saying