SARS Customs & Excise Cadet Learnership 2026: Apply With Matric and Driver’s Licence

The South African Revenue Service (SARS) is offering a 12-month Customs & Excise Cadet Learnership Programme for 2026/2027. This opportunity is for young South African citizens who want to gain practical experience in customs operations. Applicants with Grade 12, including Mathematics or Accounting, and a valid driver’s licence are encouraged to apply.

Application Closing Date: 30 September 2026
Location: Various SARS Customs operational locations across South Africa
Programme Duration: 12 months
Stipend: Not specified
Minimum Qualification: Grade 12/NQF Level 4 with Mathematics or Accounting

About the SARS Customs & Excise Cadet Learnership Programme

The SARS Customs & Excise Cadet Programme is a structured 12-month learning opportunity. Its main goal is to give successful candidates practical workplace exposure. They will also develop essential skills and knowledge related to SARS Customs & Excise operations.

This programme is designed for young South Africans interested in customs work. It provides exposure to operations at airports, harbours, border posts, and inland offices. The learnership aims to contribute to the effective delivery of Customs & Excise services.

About SARS

The South African Revenue Service (SARS) is a national government agency responsible for administering tax and customs laws. SARS plays a critical role in collecting revenue that funds public services in South Africa. The organisation is committed to facilitating trade and protecting the borders of the country.

SARS Customs Cadet Learnership Locations

Successful candidates may be placed at various Customs operational environments throughout South Africa. The advertised locations include major cities and border posts. These include Johannesburg, OR Tambo International Airport, Lanseria International Airport, Port Elizabeth, Durban Harbour, and Cape Town Harbour.

Other potential placements are 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, and Cape Town International Airport. Applicants must be willing to be deployed nationally, including to remote land border posts.

Minimum Requirements

To be considered for the SARS Customs & Excise Cadet Learnership Programme, applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Be a South African citizen.
• Be between 18 and 35 years old.
• Have completed Grade 12/NQF Level 4.
• Have passed Mathematics or Accounting in Grade 12.
• Possess a valid Code B/EB driver’s licence.
• Be computer literate and proficient in Microsoft Office applications.
• Be physically fit and capable of working in an operational environment.
• Have one year’s experience in an administration, logistics, or customer-service environment.
• Be willing to work shifts, weekends, public holidays, and overtime as required.
• Be willing to undergo security screening, criminal record checks, qualification verification, and integrity assessments.
• Be willing to be deployed nationally to Customs operational environments.

Grade 12 Subjects Required

A key educational requirement for this learnership is a Grade 12 certificate (NQF Level 4) with a pass in either Mathematics or Accounting. Applicants should carefully check their Grade 12 results to ensure they meet this specific subject requirement.

Age Requirement

This programme is specifically aimed at young individuals. Applicants must be between 18 and 35 years old to be eligible. SARS uses this age criterion to attract and develop youth within the organisation.

Driver’s Licence Requirement

A valid Code B/EB driver’s licence is a mandatory requirement for all applicants. Candidates who do not possess the required driver’s licence should not apply, as this is a non-negotiable condition.

What Will SARS Customs Cadets Do?

Successful candidates will engage in learning and workplace activities focused on understanding Customs & Excise operations. Responsibilities will cover various areas, including process management, client service, finance, governance, and people development.

Cadets may be expected to use SARS systems for accurate information processing and assist with administrative tasks. They will handle information requests, communicate transactional outputs, and follow established procedures. Maintaining high-quality work and minimizing errors will be important.

Cadets will also learn to resolve basic queries, escalate unresolved matters, and maintain up-to-date records. They will need to plan and organize their assigned work efficiently and report on transactional activities.

Client Service Responsibilities

Understanding service requirements and meeting client expectations is part of the role. Good communication skills and the ability to work professionally with various stakeholders will be important throughout the programme.

Governance and Compliance

SARS operates under strict governance, integrity, and compliance standards. Cadets must adhere to these standards and report any issues requiring further attention. The recruitment process itself includes security screening, criminal record checks, qualification verification, and integrity assessments to ensure compliance.

Learning and Performance Development

As a structured learning programme, cadets are expected to take ownership of their professional development. This includes seeking support and training when needed, assessing their own performance, and using feedback to improve. Meeting required response times and maintaining quality standards are also essential.

Applicants Must Be Willing to Work Shifts

The operational nature of customs work means successful candidates must be prepared to work shifts, weekends, public holidays, and overtime when operational needs arise. This programme may not follow a standard Monday-to-Friday office schedule.

National Deployment Is Required

Applicants must be willing to be deployed anywhere in South Africa for their Customs operational placements. This includes land border posts, airports, seaports, and inland offices. Some border-post locations may be in remote areas, so applicants should consider their ability and willingness to relocate or work in different environments.

Physical Fitness Requirement

SARS requires candidates to be physically fit and able to work effectively in an operational environment. Customs operations, especially at borders, airports, and ports, can be demanding and differ from typical office-based administrative work.

Experience Requirement

The programme requires applicants to have at least one year of experience in an administration, logistics, or customer-service environment. Applicants should clearly detail this experience on their CV or online application, including where and when it was gained, and their main responsibilities.

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 form carefully, ensuring all information matches their supporting documents. Before submitting, verify that your CV and application clearly demonstrate that you meet all the educational, age, driver’s licence, and experience requirements.

Application Checklist

Before applying, please confirm that you:

• Are a South African citizen.
• Are between 18 and 35 years old.
• Have completed Grade 12/NQF Level 4.
• Passed Mathematics or Accounting in Grade 12.
• Hold a valid Code B/EB driver’s licence.
• Meet the required one year of experience in administration, logistics, or customer service.
• Are computer literate and 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.
• Are willing to undergo all required screening and verification processes.

SARS Customs & Excise Cadet Learnership Closing Date

Applications for this learnership close on 30 September 2026. It is advisable to submit your application as early as possible to avoid any last-minute issues.

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