Customs officers work for the public administration of the same name, which controls the entry and exit of goods and capital at the country’s borders. Within the customs service, there are three areas of activity: surveillance, administration and commercial operations. At the port, the most visible are the customs officers in the external surveillance unit, who check both goods and travellers. Their aim is to prevent counterfeit goods and prohibited trafficking.

Qualities and skills

• Attention to detail and rigour
• Patience and diplomacy
• Integrity and ethics
• Commitment to public service
• Observational skills
• For the role of customs inspector:
• In-depth knowledge of customs regulations and import and export procedures
• Ability to analyse documents and goods to detect fraud and offences
• Use of IT tools and inspection equipment

Educational qualifications and training

Bac + 5 A range of engineering school qualifications A number of university master’s degrees A degree from a Grande École programme (Audencia, EDHEC, ESSCA, TBS)

Six years of higher education (Bac + 6): Specialised Master’s in Information Systems Consulting and Management; Specialised Master’s in Risk Management

Sectors and organisations

In most cases, risk management managers work in industries exposed to technological risks: energy, chemicals, oil, pharmaceuticals, banking, hospitals, etc. They may also work for a specialist consultancy firm, offering their services to a range of client companies. Although they may travel to site, risk managers mainly work in an office

Source: LH PORT CENTER – Further information at www.lhportcenter.com