SARS Customs & Excise Cadet Learnerships 2026: Apply with Grade 12

Who can apply

• Grade 12/NQF Level 4 with Mathematics or Accounting;
• Be a South African citizen;
• Be between 18 and 35 years old;
• Have a valid Code B/EB driver’s licence;
• Be computer literate;
• Be proficient in Microsoft Office applications;
• Be physically fit and capable of working in an operational environment;
• Be willing to work shifts, weekends, public holidays and overtime where operational requirements demand;
• Be willing to undergo security screening;
• Be willing to undergo criminal record checks;
• Be willing to undergo qualification verification;
• Be willing to undergo integrity assessments; and
• Be willing to be deployed nationally to Customs operational environments.
• The supplied programme information also lists one year’s experience in an administration, logistics or customer-service environment.
• Applicants should therefore make sure that any relevant experience is clearly reflected on their CV or online application.

How to apply

Applications are submitted directly to SARS Customs & Excise - we do not collect applications. Read the eligibility criteria, prepare your supporting documents, then complete your application on the official page.

Full details

The South African Revenue Service (SARS) invites young South African citizens to apply for the Customs & Excise Cadet Learnership Programme 2026/2027.

The programme offers a 12-month learning opportunity designed to provide successful candidates with practical workplace exposure while developing skills and knowledge related to SARS Customs & Excise operations.

Applicants with Grade 12/NQF Level 4 with Mathematics or Accounting may apply, provided they meet the other programme requirements.

Learnership Application Closing Date: 30 September 2026

Learnership Duration: 12 months

Learnership Location: Various SARS Customs operational locations across South Africa

About the SARS Customs & Excise Cadet Learnership Programme

The SARS Customs & Excise Cadet Programme is structured as a 12-month learning journey aimed at developing practical experience and relevant workplace skills.

The purpose of the programme is for successful candidates to complete the SARS Customs Cadet Learnership while gaining exposure, skills and knowledge that contribute to the effective delivery of Customs & Excise operations.

This is particularly relevant to young South Africans interested in gaining exposure to customs operations at airports, harbours, border posts and inland operational offices.

SARS Customs Cadet Learnership Locations

Successful candidates may be placed at various Customs operational environments across South Africa.

The advertised locations include:

• Johannesburg
• OR Tambo International Airport
• Lanseria International Airport
• Doringkloof Hub
• Port Elizabeth
• Durban Harbour
• Durban Hub
• Richards Bay Hub
• King Shaka International Airport
• Groblersbridge Border Post
• Beitbridge Border Post
• Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport
• Oshoek Border Post
• Lebombo Border Post
• Kopfontein Border Post
• Cape Town Harbour
• Cape Town International Airport

Applicants should note that the programme requires candidates to be willing to be deployed nationally, including to remote land border posts.

Minimum Requirements

Applicants interested in the SARS Customs & Excise Cadet Learnership Programme must meet the following requirements:

The supplied programme information also lists one year’s experience in an administration, logistics or customer-service environment.

Applicants should therefore make sure that any relevant experience is clearly reflected on their CV or online application.

Grade 12 Subjects Required

One of the important entry requirements is:

Grade 12/NQF Level 4 with Mathematics or Accounting.

Applicants should check their Grade 12 results carefully before applying.

Do not assume that having Matric alone automatically meets the advertised educational requirement.

Age Requirement

The programme specifically targets young people between:

18 and 35 years old.

SARS states that this age criterion is intended to attract youth into the programme.

Driver’s Licence Requirement

Applicants must have a valid:

Code B/EB driver’s licence.

Candidates without the required driver’s licence should take this requirement into account before submitting an application.

What Will SARS Customs Cadets Do?

Successful candidates will participate in learning and workplace activities designed to develop their understanding of Customs & Excise operations.

The responsibilities are divided into several areas, including process, client service, finance, governance and people development.

Process and Administrative Responsibilities

Cadets may be expected to:

• Apply and use SARS systems to ensure accurate processing of information;
• Assist with administrative activities within the relevant division;
• Attend to information requests and refer them to the appropriate department;
• Communicate transactional outputs and queries within their area of work;
• Deliver on agreed performance objectives;
• Follow established procedures and service-level agreements;
• Support change initiatives;
• Maintain high-quality work and minimise errors;
• Resolve basic queries within established procedures;
• Escalate unresolved matters appropriately;
• Follow the individual learner activity manual applicable to the division or business unit;
• Identify and analyse information requests;
• Identify problems and apply known solutions;
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date records;
• Plan and organise assigned work efficiently; and
• Report on transactional activities within prescribed guidelines.

Client Service Responsibilities

Cadets will be expected to understand the service requirements associated with their work and contribute towards meeting client expectations.

Good communication and the ability to work professionally with different stakeholders may therefore be important during the programme.

Governance and Compliance

SARS operates in an environment where governance, integrity and compliance are particularly important.

Cadets will be expected to comply with identified governance and compliance standards and escalate problems that require further investigation or resolution.

This requirement is also reflected in the recruitment process, which may include:

• security screening;
• criminal record checks;
• qualification verification; and
• integrity assessments.

Applicants should ensure that all information provided during the recruitment process is accurate.

Learning and Performance Development

As a structured learning programme, successful candidates will also be expected to take responsibility for their own development.

This includes:

• Asking for support or training where necessary;
• Assessing their own performance;
• Seeking timely feedback;
• Using feedback to improve their work;
• Meeting required response times;
• Maintaining expected quality and service-delivery standards; and
• Working positively with groups and teams.

Applicants Must Be Willing to Work Shifts

Candidates should carefully consider the operational nature of the programme before applying.

Successful candidates must be willing to work:

• shifts;
• weekends;
• public holidays; and
• overtime where operational requirements demand.

This means the programme may not follow a conventional Monday-to-Friday office schedule in every placement.

National Deployment Is Required

Applicants must also be willing to be deployed nationally to Customs operational environments.

These environments can include:

Land border posts → Airports → Seaports → Inland operational offices

Some border-post placements may be situated in remote areas.

Applicants should therefore consider their willingness and ability to relocate or work in different operational environments before applying.

Physical Fitness Requirement

SARS requires candidates to be physically fit and able to work in an operational environment.

Customs operations may differ substantially from ordinary office-based administrative work, particularly at borders, airports and ports.

Applicants should therefore understand that this is a Customs & Excise operational learning programme rather than a purely office-based internship.

Why the Customs & Excise Environment Matters

Customs operations form part of the systems used to manage the movement of goods across South Africa’s borders.

For cadets, the programme provides exposure to a working environment involving administration, information processing, governance, client interaction and operational procedures.

The exact responsibilities assigned to individual cadets may depend on their placement and the operational requirements of the relevant SARS business unit.

Experience Requirement

The supplied SARS vacancy information lists:

1 year’s experience in an administration, logistics or customer-service environment.

Applicants with relevant experience should ensure that their application clearly explains:

• where they gained the experience;
• the period during which they gained it;
• their main responsibilities; and
• how the experience relates to administration, logistics or customer service.

Do not claim experience that you cannot substantiate.

How to Apply for SARS Customs & Excise Cadet Learnership Programme 2026/2027

Applications must be submitted online through the SARS recruitment platform.

Click here to apply for SARS Customs & Excise Cadet Learnership Programme 2026/2027

Applicants should complete the online application carefully and ensure that the information supplied matches their supporting documents.

Before submitting, make sure that your CV and application clearly show that you meet the relevant educational, age, driver’s licence and experience requirements.

Application Checklist

Before applying, check that you:

• are a South African citizen;
• are between 18 and 35 years old;
• have Grade 12/NQF Level 4;
• passed Mathematics or Accounting;
• have a valid Code B/EB driver’s licence;
• meet the listed experience requirement;
• are computer literate;
• can use Microsoft Office;
• are willing to work shifts, weekends and public holidays;
• are willing to work overtime when required;
• are willing to be deployed nationally;
• are prepared to work at airports, seaports, border posts or inland offices;
• are physically fit for an operational environment; and
• are willing to undergo the required screening and verification processes.

SARS Customs & Excise Cadet Learnership Closing Date

Applications close on 30 September 2026.

Candidates interested in the programme should apply as early as possible and avoid waiting until the closing date.

Frequently asked questions

Sources

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