Border Force Officer - International Trade

The Home Office works to build a safe, fair and prosperous UK. We achieve this through our work on counter terrorism, organised crime, modern slavery, trafficking, drugs policy immigration, and passport control.

We are Border Force, a Law Enforcement arm of the Home Office with primary responsibility for UK Border Security.

We are responsible for handling the UK Border Controls by implementing Immigration and Customs rules and regulations whilst working within the Home Office.

UK Border Force currently has six operational regions- Central, Europe, Heathrow, North, South, Southeast. These regions have responsibility for securing the border 24 hours a day, 365 days a year at the UK's 140 seaports, airports, 200+ general aviation ports, postal depots, Inland Border Facilities and international rail networks.

This is a fantastic opportunity to be part of a team that both protects and enhances the UK economy. Our work is varied and rewarding, attracting people from all backgrounds and walks of life.

As a Border Force Officer specialising in International Trade, you will belong to an ever-evolving function which ensures the UK is open for business, trade and commerce. Day to day you will be investigating a range of goods, ensuring compliance with a range of International Trade legislation such as Intellectual Property and Customer Safety laws, while collecting any unpaid taxes from goods either being imported or exported to and from the UK.

The role our Officers perform is dynamic, fast paced and always evolving. As a Border Force Officer in International Trade, you will play a pivotal role in facilitating the legitimate movement of goods to/from the United Kingdom at some of the busiest ports in the world. Our work can be challenging, but there will always be your team to support you throughout your career, not just the start. The part you play will be fundamental in both enhancing the UK's reputation as a place to do business and protecting our public and domestic markets by preventing the importation of prohibited or restricted goods.

International Trade includes a wide range of systems and functions that work in tandem to provide the world class border that the public expects. Whilst primarily focussed on commodities and freight, our International Trade Officers also lead on the UK's commitment to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species, investigation of Intellectual Property Rights infringements (counterfeit goods) and work closely with partner agencies to help deliver the UK's trade strategy.

The work you will perform has a tangible impact on boosting UK prosperity by collecting revenue owed at the border, closing the tax gap and supporting the integrity of the economy.

Our operational activity is intelligence-driven, with searches for undeclared and mis-declared goods. ensuring that imported/exported goods are declared, validated and the relevant taxes have been correctly applied.

Further searches for prohibited counterfeit or restricted goods (such as drugs, firearms, weapons, cash, tobacco and alcohol) may also form part of your role as you undertake International Trade work.

As a Border Force Officer in International Trade, you may be involved in the following types of activity:

• Operating customs controls at points of import/export to the UK, checking goods and consignments have the correct permissions and documentation across a range of International Trade/Customs regimes.


• Identifying and searching goods and vehicles to establish if a customs offence has been committed.


• Engaging with consignees, undertaking investigations, and making decisions on whether imports/exports can proceed or require further investigation.


• Undertaking post detection actions in respect of any irregularities found.


• Liaising with and managing enquiries from trade companies, other government departments and port operators to support and facilitate a smooth border crossing, ensuring goods can be processed promptly.


• Using law enforcement powers to arrest people, detain and seize goods involved in border offences, preserving evidence and liaising with other law enforcement partners.