customs asked me "who paid for your trip and what's your profession?"
I was asked that same question in December. I thought it was a bit odd, and also wondered at the same time, WHY do they need to know this?
I was never asked if I was bringing anything into the country. They asked what countries I was visiting before returing, who bought the tickets, profession and about my final destination.
I was asked ZERO questions when I had to clear customs in ORD(NRT-ORD) last June. I handed the agent my passport, they scanned it, stamped the customs card and let me go.