Task 2. A. Read the text and choose the title by one of four options.
Blank 1 Вопрос 2 Customs officers’ job responsibilitiesCustoms officers’ job skillsCustoms officers’ job pros and consCustoms officers’ job background The customs officer is a very demanding profession nowadays, in a period of globalization and development of international trade. But it appeared long ago, when travelling merchants started to pay a bribe for the privilege to trade in a particular territory. Over time this bribe became mandatory and was called “duty” and the collection of this duty was outsourced to tax farmers. In Russia Customs service dated back to 10-11 centuries when customs agents of those times were called Mytnics .Today Customs officers are agents responsible for enforcing customs laws and regulations related to the import and export of goods. At various ports of entry like airports, seaports or landports Customs officers perform their work. Their job responsibilities include:• Inspecting and examining goods entering or leaving a country to ensure compliance with customs laws and regulations.• Verifying the accuracy of customs declarations and documentation provided by importers and exporters.• Identifying and deterring illegal activities such as smuggling, fraud, and the trafficking of prohibited goods.• Collecting duties, taxes, and fees on imported goods according to the relevant tariff schedules and others.• Overall, customs officers play a crucial role in maintaining the security and integrity of a country's borders and ensuring compliance with trade regulations.Customs officers are multi-skilled professionals and can move through different work areas. Some work areas involve working in shifts or overtime, indoors or outdoors. Most officers wear uniform and work closely with public. Customs officers must be competent and correctly apply customs laws and regulations when they: - examine passengers and their baggage at airports and sea ports; - clear cargo and transport at check-points and warehouses;- process documents and collect duties;- interdict the traffic of smuggling;Every day customs officers have to deal with different types of people, and this work requires patience, concentration, sharp attention to details, ability to read people and intuition. To act with courtesy and diplomacy at all times and stay calm however provoked is an important part of the job.Customs officers use a wide range of tools and technology, such as computers, metal detectors, X-ray machines and scanners. There are also canine enforcement teams where dogs are trained to detect narcotics, explosives and currency. The Customs Service involves law enforcement, and staff must display the highest personal and professional conduct in fulfilling their duties. Team work is essential to successful operation of all departments of the Customs, therefore Customs officers cooperate with other law enforcement agencies such as the Police, Border guards, Tax Police, Federal Security Bureau (FSB), etc.