SARS Customs Cadet Learnership 2026: Requirements and Locations

The South African Revenue Service (SARS) is recruiting young South Africans for its 12-month Customs & Excise Operations Cadet Programme, with opportunities available at airports, harbours, inland operational offices and land border posts across the country.

The closing date is 30 September 2026.

Unlike a typical office-based learnership, this programme is designed around practical exposure to Customs operations. Applicants should therefore be prepared for shift work, weekends, public holidays and possible deployment to operational environments in different parts of South Africa.

SARS has previously used its Customs Cadet Programme as part of its approach to developing skills within Customs and Excise. Its annual reporting records cadets being placed at land borders and describes the programme as a structured approach to talent development.

SARS Customs Cadet Learnership 2026 at a glance

Detail	Information
Programme	Customs & Excise Operations Cadet Programme
Duration	12 months
Employer	South African Revenue Service (SARS)
Minimum qualification	NQF Level 4 with Mathematics and/or Accounting
Experience	1 year in administration, logistics or customer service
Age	18–35 years
Citizenship	South African citizen
Driver’s licence	Code B/EB
Closing date	30 September 2026
Deployment	Customs operational environments nationally

What will a Customs Cadet actually do?

This opportunity is more than administrative training. The successful candidates will be exposed to processes supporting Customs and Excise operations and will be expected to work according to established procedures.

The advertised duties include processing information accurately, maintaining records, responding to information requests, communicating transactional queries, reporting on work completed and resolving basic queries within prescribed guidelines.

Attention to detail is particularly important. The role also involves following procedures, identifying problems, escalating matters that cannot be resolved and maintaining the required quality of work.

SARS’s wider Customs environment is increasingly technology- and data-driven. The organisation identifies digitalisation, data and technology as important elements of its Customs modernisation programme.

Who can apply?

The minimum academic requirement is NQF Level 4 with Mathematics and/or Accounting.

Applicants must also have:

• At least one year’s experience in administration, logistics or customer service.
• South African citizenship.
• A valid Code B or EB driver’s licence.
• Computer literacy, including Microsoft Office proficiency.
• A willingness to work shifts, weekends, public holidays and overtime when required.
• A willingness to be deployed nationally.
• The ability to work in operational environments, including airports, seaports and land border posts.
• Willingness to undergo the required security, qualification and integrity checks.
• Physical fitness for the operational environment.

The advertised age range is 18 to 35 years.

One requirement applicants should not overlook is the stated need for a basic overview of the Customs & Excise environment. Candidates should therefore understand the general purpose of Customs before applying rather than treating this as a conventional administration position.

SARS’s current Customs work includes areas such as goods declarations, traveller declarations, compliance and risk management.

Where are the positions available?

The vacancy lists opportunities at numerous locations, including:

Johannesburg/Alberton, OR Tambo International Airport, Lanseria International Airport, Doringkloof Hub, Durban Harbour, Durban Hub, Richards Bay, King Shaka International Airport, Port Elizabeth, Cape Town Harbour, Cape Town International Airport, Groblersbridge, Beitbridge, Oshoek, Lebombo, Kopfontein and Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport.

This is important because applicants should not assume that applying means working close to home.

The advert specifically states that successful candidates must be willing to work in Customs environments nationally, including remote land border posts, airports, seaports and inland operational offices.

What happens after applying?

Meeting the minimum requirements does not mean automatic appointment.

According to the vacancy information, successful candidates may be required to complete processes including pre-employment screening, a case study, pre-assessment, psychometric assessment and/or vetting, together with qualification verification, references and other security-related checks where applicable.

SARS also states that persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply and that its Employment Equity policy will be considered during recruitment.

Applicants should therefore make sure that the information supplied during the application process is accurate and that supporting qualifications and personal details can be verified.

What should applicants know before applying?

This programme may suit someone who wants practical exposure to Customs, logistics, administration, border operations or related public-sector work, but applicants should understand the working conditions before submitting an application.

The willingness to relocate or accept deployment is not a minor condition. The advertised locations cover several types of operational environments, and some land border posts can be remote.

The programme also requires employees to work according to procedures and confidentiality requirements. The advert specifically refers to sensitive information, including taxpayer and commercial information, and requires successful candidates to undertake an oath of secrecy.

How to apply for the SARS Customs Cadet Learnership

Applications should be submitted through the official SARS careers/vacancies channel. SARS maintains a dedicated vacancies section where current recruitment opportunities are published.

Applicants should use the official SARS recruitment process rather than paying an individual or third party to submit an application.

Closing date: 30 September 2026.

Because recruitment requirements and vacancy details can change, applicants should check the original SARS vacancy before submitting their application.

Final checklist

Before applying, confirm that you:

• Have NQF Level 4 with Mathematics and/or Accounting.
• Have at least one year’s relevant administration, logistics or customer-service experience.
• Are a South African citizen aged 18–35.
• Hold a valid Code B/EB driver’s licence.
• Are comfortable with shift and weekend work.
• Can accept national deployment.
• Meet the computer-literacy requirement.
• Understand that screening and assessments form part of the recruitment process.
• Have checked the official SARS advert before the 30 September 2026 deadline.