The South African Revenue Service (SARS) has opened applications for its Customs & Excise Cadet Learnership Programme, offering 80 young South Africans the opportunity to gain practical workplace experience in the Customs and Excise environment.
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The 12-month contract programme is aimed specifically at young people between the ages of 18 and 35 who meet the minimum qualification, experience and operational requirements.
The opportunity was posted on 21 September 2026 under requisition ID 11620, with applications closing on 29 September 2026.
SARS Customs & Excise Cadet Learnership 2026
The Customs & Excise Cadet Programme is designed as a 12-month learning journey that provides participants with exposure to Customs and Excise operations while helping them develop relevant workplace skills and knowledge.
SARS Customs plays an important role in facilitating the movement of goods and people entering and leaving South Africa, while the Excise division deals with duties on certain locally manufactured and imported goods.
The programme will give successful candidates practical exposure to administrative, operational and customer-service-related activities within Customs environments.
80 Positions Available
SARS is recruiting 80 Customs & Excise Cadets across a range of operational environments.
The advertised opportunities include placements at airports, harbours, border posts, hubs and inland operational offices.
The listed locations include:
- Alberton
- 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 advertisement requires successful candidates to be willing to be deployed nationally, including to remote land border posts, airports, seaports and inland operational offices.
Requirements
Applicants must meet the following minimum requirements:
- Grade 12 / NQF Level 4 with Mathematics and/or Accounting
- 1 year of experience in administration, logistics or customer service
- South African citizenship
- Valid Code B or EB driver’s licence
- Age between 18 and 35 years
- Computer literacy
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications
- Willingness to work shifts, weekends, public holidays and overtime when required
- Willingness to work in different Customs operational environments
- Physically fit and able to work in an operational environment
Applicants must also be willing to undergo security screening, criminal record checks, qualification verification and integrity assessments.
A basic overview of the Customs & Excise environment is also listed as a minimum functional requirement.
What Will Cadets Do?
The successful candidates will assist with administrative and operational activities within their assigned division or business unit.
Their responsibilities may include processing information accurately, assisting with administrative tasks, responding to information requests and communicating transactional outputs and queries.
Cadets will also be expected to maintain accurate records, identify and analyse information, resolve basic queries according to procedures and escalate matters that cannot be resolved.
Other responsibilities include planning and organising their own work, reporting on progress, following standard operating procedures and meeting agreed performance and service delivery requirements.
The programme also places emphasis on continuous learning. Cadets are expected to request support or training where necessary, assess their own performance and seek feedback to improve the quality of their work.
Important Skills
SARS is looking for candidates who demonstrate accountability, honesty, integrity, attention to detail and a willingness to learn.
Other important competencies include analytical thinking, organisational awareness, respect, trust, fairness and transparency.
Technical areas include administrative support, data collection and analysis, records management, reporting, service delivery and compliance with standard operating procedures.
Because the work may involve sensitive taxpayer and commercial information, confidentiality and compliance are particularly important.
Final Thoughts
The SARS Customs & Excise Cadet Learnership Programme provides young South Africans with an opportunity to gain practical experience in an important operational area of SARS.
With 80 positions available and placements across airports, ports, border posts and inland offices, applicants should carefully review the requirements before applying.
The programme is a 12-month contract, and successful candidates must be prepared for operational demands including shifts, weekends, public holidays and possible national deployment.
SARS has previously used Customs Cadet programmes as part of its structured approach to developing talent and integrating participants into Customs-related work.
How to Apply
Position: Customs & Excise Cadet Learnership Programme
Number of positions: 80
Requisition ID: 11620
Contract: 12 months
Age: 18–35 years
Closing date: 29 September 2026
Applications must be submitted through the official SARS Careers website.
Applicants should ensure that they meet all requirements and submit their applications before the closing date.
SARS Customs & Excise Cadet Learnership 2026 – 80 Positions Available
The South African Revenue Service (SARS) has opened applications for its Customs & Excise Cadet Learnership Programme, offering 80 opportunities to young South Africans who want to gain practical experience in customs and excise operations.
The 12-month contract programme is aimed at developing workplace skills and providing learners with exposure to Customs & Excise operations. Successful candidates will participate in a structured learning journey while gaining practical experience in administrative, logistics, customer service and operational environments.
The SARS Customs & Excise Cadet Learnership is particularly relevant to young job seekers with Grade 12 who have Mathematics and/or Accounting and are interested in working in customs, logistics, border operations or related fields.
SARS Customs & Excise Cadet Learnership 2026
SARS is recruiting 80 Customs & Excise Cadets for a 12-month contract.
Position: Customs & Excise Cadet
Number of positions: 80
Requisition ID: 11620
Contract: 12 months
Age: 18–35 years
Closing date: 29 September 2026
The opportunities are spread across various customs operational environments, including airports, seaports, border posts and inland operational offices.
Who Can Apply?
Applicants must meet the minimum requirements before applying.
You must have:
- NQF Level 4 with Mathematics and/or Accounting
- At least 1 year of experience in administration, logistics or customer service
- South African citizenship
- A valid Code B or EB driver’s licence
- Computer literacy
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications
- Basic knowledge or understanding of the Customs & Excise environment
- Ability to work shifts, weekends, public holidays and overtime when operationally required
- Ability and willingness to work in different customs operational environments
- Physical fitness to work in an operational environment
- Age between 18 and 35 years
Applicants must also be willing to undergo security screening, criminal record checks, qualification verification and integrity assessments.
An important requirement is the willingness to be deployed nationally. This may include working at land border posts, including remote areas, airports, seaports and inland operational offices.
What Will Customs Cadets Do?
The programme is designed to provide practical exposure to Customs & Excise operations while developing the learner’s workplace skills.
Cadets may assist with administrative duties, process information using relevant systems and respond to information requests received within their area of work.
The role also involves keeping accurate records, communicating transactional outputs and queries, identifying and resolving basic problems and escalating matters that cannot be resolved using established procedures.
Learners will be expected to plan and organise their work, meet performance objectives and maintain the required quality standards.
They will also receive opportunities to develop their understanding of SARS procedures, systems and operational requirements.
Skills and Competencies
SARS is looking for applicants who demonstrate accountability, honesty, integrity, attention to detail and a willingness to learn.
Other important competencies include analytical thinking, organisational awareness, conceptual ability, communication and a commitment to continuous learning.
Technical skills include administrative support, data collection and analysis, records management, reporting, service delivery and compliance with standard operating procedures.
Because Customs & Excise work involves sensitive information, successful candidates must understand the importance of confidentiality, governance and compliance.
Screening and Assessment
Applicants should be prepared for several stages of the recruitment process.
The advertisement states that successful candidates may be required to complete pre-employment screening, a case study, pre-assessment, psychometric assessment and/or vetting.
Candidates may also be required to provide references, undergo security clearance where applicable, declare private interests and take an oath of secrecy.
Persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply, and SARS will consider its Employment Equity policy as part of the recruitment and selection process.
Final Thoughts
The SARS Customs & Excise Cadet Learnership Programme offers young South Africans an opportunity to gain practical workplace experience in an important operational environment.
With 80 positions available and a minimum requirement of NQF Level 4 with Mathematics and/or Accounting, the opportunity may be suitable for candidates who have completed Grade 12 and have at least one year of relevant administration, logistics or customer service experience.
Applicants should carefully check all requirements, particularly the driver’s licence, experience, age, citizenship, shift work and national deployment requirements before applying.
How to Apply
September 22, 2026
12:17 pm