Customs Officer Interview Questions with Answers

Customs Officer Interview Questions with Answers, On this article you will go through Interview tips, interview questions for Customs Officer and their techniques on how to answer them. Customs Officer Interview Questions with Answers for Written Interview.

Interview can be Oral or Written, where ORAL Interview is in form of conversation where one participant asks questions, and the other provides answers. WRITTEN Interview is essentially the same thing as a live interview except it is communicated in written form so candidates can take their time to compose their answers. Customs Officer Interview Questions with Answers.

How to prepare yourself for written Interview?

Once you are selected to attend for written exam, take the following steps to help you learn and remember the information on the test.

1. Read through your state’s handbook.
2. Start studying early.
3. Use word associations to remember information.
4. Take online practice tests.
5. Get yourself in the zone.
6. Get a good night’s sleep.

NOTE: Read things/material related to what you are going to sit for.

Written Customs Officer Interview Questions with Answers

A customs officer is responsible for inspecting goods that are being imported and exported to ensure that they comply with customs regulations. They may also be responsible for collecting duties and taxes on these goods. Customs officers typically work at airports, seaports, and land border crossings.

If you are selected for Customs Officer Interview, I want to congratulate you for that chance. Take your time for the following Customs Officer Interview Questions with Answers as one of consideration questions for your preparation.

QUESTION ONE

• (a) Explain the meaning of the term “rules of origin” and its importance as applicable under the East African Customs Union Rules. (6 marks)
• (b) Explain four problems of implementing the East African Customs Union Rules. (6 marks)
• (c) Explain in what forms does smuggling occur and the problems associated with smuggling. (8 marks)

The following are Answers for above questions:

ANSWERS

(a) Rules of origin are the criteria needed to determine the national source of a product. Their importance is derived from the fact that duties and restrictions in several cases depend upon the source of imports. E.g. EAC.

Rules of origin are used:

• To implement measures and instruments of commercial policy such as antidumping duties and safeguard measures;
• To determine whether imported products shall receive most-favoured-nation treatment or preferential treatment;
• For the purpose of trade statistics;
• For the application of labelling and marking requirements; and
• For government procurement

(b) Problems of implementing the East African Customs Union

• Membership issues: On a continental basis and also within sub-regions, many African countries belong to several groupings or sub-groupings that sometimes compete, conflict or overlap amongst themselves rather than complement each other. This adds to the burden of harmonization and coordination, and is wasteful duplication in view of constrained resources.
• Slow ratification of protocols and reluctant implementation of agreed plans: Due to low political commitment and/or perceived or real losses and sacrifices involved, a number of countries have been reluctant to fully implement integration programmes on a timely basis. This has been partly caused by the lack of prior cost-benefit analysis and broad internal consultations on the part of the member countries concerned. In some cases, changes in the socioeconomic and political dynamics within the member states involved have also militated against implementation of regionally agreed programmes, especially where socio-economic sacrifices are concerned.
• Socio-economic policy divergence: The inconsistency or incoherence at the macroeconomic level has also been a source of problems for the systematic implementation and “internalization” of the regional integration agenda into national programmes. It has been impossible to integrate regionally where there has been continuously glaring policy, implementation and information inconsistencies at the national level. There is therefore need for an appropriate policy mix and coordination at the national level that targets low inflation and fiscal discipline. Customs Officer Interview Questions with Answers.
• Limited national and regional capacities: The lack of mechanisms and resources for effective planning, coordination, implementation, monitoring and pragmatic adjustment or programmes on the ground have been another constraint to regional integration.

(c) Forms of smuggling:

• Outright avoidance of official customs controls across the borders: e.g. On Lake Victoria, overland on road, rail and often through the bush ways. This form of smuggling is generally associated with highly marketable goods, goods of high tax value, and prohibited or restricted goods.

• Under declaration of goods: This is a circumstance where the importer declares less quantity on importation documents than the actual goods being imported. This form of smuggling occurs through customs controls – usually deliberately, on the side of the importer.

• Undervaluation of goods: This is a situation whereby goods are given a lower value than they actually have. Undervaluation often happens out of ignorance, negligence or connivance at the customs control. It aids smuggling indirectly.

• Misclassification of goods: This means that goods are declared under a different class of imports particularly to attract lower rates of tax with intent to reduce the tax liability. This again may happen out of ignorance, negligence or deliberately. This problem also aids smuggling.

• Falsification of documents.

• Mis declaration of country of origin.

Problems associated with smuggling

• Loss of revenue: Smuggling is an act of tax evasion which deprives government of revenue for public expenditure.
• Distortion of market prices: Goods which are smuggled into the country are often sold a lot cheaper than goods brought onto market through the right procedures. Smuggling therefore deprives traders of free competition.
• Collapse of local industries: A country achieves better economic growth by developing its own industrial base. Smuggling under-cuts prices of the locally manufactured goods thus destroying the market for local products. This leads to collapse of local industries.
• Unemployment: When there is unfair competition in the market, compounded by the collapsing of industries, the labour market (employment base) is eroded. Many professionals, skilled and unskilled personnel remain jobless.
• Loss of livesIncreased insecurity.

Additional Questions for Review.

1. Explain the following terms as used in the East African Customs Management Act, 2004:

• Export Processing Zone

• Red channel

• Import

• Stores

2. As far as customs is concerned , briefly explain any four (4) procedures that can be taken by any members of the partner states to fight against smuggling of goods.

3. Explain the main limitation of computed value approach to valuation of imported goods.

4. Differentiate between ‘ duty drawback ‘ and ‘ remission ‘ as used in customs management.

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