Customs inspector

41 000 kr

Customs and coast guard officers

38 500 - 46 100 kr / month

Women earn 94% of what men do.

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What will be the salary after tax?

Salary progression Customs inspector

Average salary 41 000 kr
Males 42 000 kr
Females 39 600 kr

What does a Customs Inspector do? – Tasks and Work Environment

A Customs Inspector plays a central role in controlling and monitoring the flow of goods across Sweden's borders. The profession involves identifying and preventing smuggling, inspecting customs documents, and ensuring compliance with laws and regulations regarding the import and export of goods. Customs Inspectors often work in teams and collaborate with other authorities, such as the police and coast guard. The work environment can range from office tasks to operational duties at border stations, ports, and airports, where both day and night shifts may occur. The job demands high accuracy, integrity, and the ability to handle stressful situations.

Salary Development Over Time

The salary development for Customs Inspectors has shown a steady but clear increase over the past three years. In 2022, the average salary was 38,300 SEK per month, which increased to 38 800 SEK in 2023. During 2024, the average salary has risen further to 41,000 SEK, representing a total increase of approximately 7% over the period. This salary growth reflects an increased demand for qualified personnel in the customs and security sector, as well as adjustments to follow the general wage development in the public sector. Differences in job tasks, responsibility levels, and regional recruitment needs may also have influenced salary levels. Notably, competition for experienced inspectors and specialized roles has contributed to upward pressure on wages.

Customs Inspector Salary – Complete Overview

  • Average salary: 41,000 SEK/month
  • Lowest salary: 38,500 SEK/month
  • Highest salary: 46,100 SEK/month
  • Hourly wage (average): 246 SEK
  • Women: 39 600 SEK/month
  • Men: 42 000 SEK/month
  • Women earn: 94% of what men do

Education and Qualifications

To work as a Customs Inspector, a post-secondary education is usually required, often in law, social sciences, or economics. Many employers within the Swedish Customs Service also offer internal training programs and internships to provide the specific skills needed for the role. Recruitment is competitive and focuses on both formal qualifications and personal qualities such as precision and integrity.

  • Post-secondary education: Typically 2–3 years in law, social sciences, or economics
  • Internal training: The Swedish Customs Service offers specialized trainee programs
  • Internships: Internships are common during training
  • Prerequisites: Completed upper secondary education and Swedish citizenship
  • Certifications: Specific courses in customs law and risk analysis can be advantageous

Customs Inspectors often have opportunities to work in international collaborations and networks, especially within the EU. This can create unique career paths and help develop language skills and intercultural competence.

– statsskuld.se

Common Benefits and Compensation

Common benefits for Customs Inspectors include occupational pension, wellness allowances, and flexible working hours. Many employers also offer extra vacation days, compensation for unsocial hours, and access to further training and specialization in various areas.

Competition and Challenges

The profession of Customs Inspector is sought-after, and competition for available positions can be significant, especially in larger cities. A limited number of training places and high requirements for security and integrity make the recruitment process thorough and extensive. Challenges include quickly adapting to changing laws and regulations and managing stressful situations at border areas. Digitalization and increased international trade also demand continuous skills development. Despite this, the job market remains relatively stable, with regular recruitment needs.

Tips for Aspiring Customs Inspectors

To succeed as a Customs Inspector, it is good to combine precision with a strong sense of justice and responsibility. Developing strong analytical skills helps when assessing complex situations quickly and accurately. Communication skills are crucial, especially in interactions with travelers and partners. Being resilient and flexible aids in handling unexpected events, where tasks can shift rapidly between administrative and operational duties. High integrity is vital to maintain trust in the role. Keeping updated on legislation and new work methods is also valuable. Finally, teamwork and humility are important, as the profession is often performed in teams.

Key Facts about Customs Inspectors

  • Average salary: 41,000 SEK/month
  • Salary range: 38,500–46,100 SEK/month
  • Gender difference: Women earn 94% of men's salary
  • Educational requirements: Post-secondary education and internal training
  • Number of job openings: Approximately 191 within the profession

Career Paths and Future Outlook

After 3–5 years in the role of Customs Inspector, there are opportunities to advance to positions such as team leader, specialist in narcotics or weapons control, or further training as operational managers. International assignments and collaboration with other authorities can also open doors to broader career paths. According to the Swedish Public Employment Service's forecast, no specific assessment is available for the profession due to limited data, but there is a stable recruitment need across the entire sector, with a total of 191 job openings recorded recently. The future prospects for Customs Inspectors are influenced by changes in trade, security situations, and international cooperation, which may create new specialized roles over time.

Frequently Asked Questions about Customs Inspectors

  • What does a Customs Inspector earn?
    - The average salary for a Customs Inspector is 41,000 SEK per month.
  • How do you become a Customs Inspector?
    - The common route is post-secondary education in law, social sciences, or economics, along with internal training at the Swedish Customs Service.
  • Is there a salary difference between men and women?
    - Yes, women earn on average 39 600 SEK per month, which corresponds to 94% of men's salary at 42 000 SEK.
  • What are the duties of a Customs Inspector?
    - Duties include customs checks, document review, crime prevention work, and collaboration with other authorities.
  • What are the future prospects for Customs Inspectors?
    - Forecasts are lacking due to limited data, but there is a stable recruitment need within the profession.
  • What education is required?
    - Post-secondary education and internal training at the Swedish Customs Service are most common.
  • What is the highest and lowest salary in the profession?
    - The highest salary is 46,100 SEK, and the lowest is 38,500 SEK.

Who has the highest salary?
The highest salary for a Customs inspector is 46100 kr. This salary belongs to a man working in the Privately employed workers with a upper secondary education, maximum 2 years. The highest salary for a woman in this profession is 41000 kr.
Who has the lowest salary?
The lowest salary for a Customs inspector is 38500 kr. This salary belongs to a woman also working in the Public sector. The lowest salary for a man in this profession is 40800 kr.
Salary distributed by age and sector
Age Women's salary as a percentage of men's Base salary Monthly salary
25-34 102% 34900 kr 37000 kr
35-44 97% 37600 kr 40500 kr
45-54 92% 40300 kr 43800 kr
55-64 88% 41400 kr 43700 kr
Snitt 94% 38300 kr 41000 kr
Salary per sector
Salary based on education
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About the data

All information displayed on this page is based on data from the Swedish Central Bureau of Statistics (SCB), the Swedish Tax Agency and the Swedish employment agency. Learn more about our data and data sources here.

All figures are gross salaries, meaning salaries before tax. The average salary, or mean salary, is calculated by adding up the total salary for all individuals within the profession and dividing it by the number of individuals. For specific job categories, we have also considered various criteria such as experience and education.

Profession Customs inspector has the SSYK code 3351, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.

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