SARS Customs & Excise Cadet Learnership Programme 2026: 80 Positions Available Nationwide

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The South African Revenue Service (SARS) is inviting applications for its Customs & Excise Cadet Learnership Programme 2026, offering 80 opportunities across several customs operational locations in South Africa.

This is a 12-month programme aimed at giving successful candidates practical workplace exposure while developing skills and knowledge within SARS Customs and Excise operations. The programme may suit young South Africans who have an NQF Level 4 qualification with Mathematics and/or Accounting and are interested in gaining experience within customs, administration, logistics and customer service environments.

Applications close on 30 September 2026.

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SARS Customs & Excise Cadet Learnership Programme Overview

Employer: South African Revenue Service (SARS)
Programme: Customs & Excise Cadet Learnership Programme
Requisition ID: 11620
Number of Posts: 80
Contract Duration: 12 months
Division: Customs Border Ports of Entry
Reports To: Operations Manager / Customs Manager
Closing Date: 30 September 2026

The purpose of the programme is to provide cadets with practical exposure and structured learning within SARS Customs & Excise operations while helping them develop relevant workplace skills and knowledge.

Locations and Number of Posts

The 80 learnership opportunities are spread across airports, harbours, border posts, hubs and inland customs offices.

Available locations include:

Johannesburg Alberton: 1 post
OR Tambo International Airport: 14 posts
Lanseria International Airport: 3 posts
Doringkloof Hub: 2 posts
Port Elizabeth: 1 post
Durban Harbour: 10 posts
Durban Hub: 4 posts
Richards Bay Hub: 3 posts
King Shaka International Airport: 1 post
Groblersbridge Border Post: 1 post
Beitbridge Border Post: 1 post
Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport: 1 post
Oshoek Border Post: 1 post
Lebombo Border Post: 16 posts
Kopfontein Border Post: 3 posts
Cape Town Harbour: 8 posts
Cape Town International Airport: 10 posts

Applicants should be willing to work or be deployed within SARS Customs operational environments, including airports, seaports, inland offices and remote land border posts.

Minimum Requirements

Applicants must meet the following requirements:

Have an NQF Level 4 qualification with Mathematics and/or Accounting
Have approximately one year of experience in administration, logistics or customer service
Be a South African citizen
Have a valid Code B or EB driver’s licence
Be between 18 and 35 years old
Be computer literate and able to use Microsoft Office applications
Be physically fit and able to work in an operational environment
Be willing to work shifts, weekends, public holidays and overtime when required
Be willing to undergo security screening, criminal-record checks, qualification verification and integrity assessments
Be willing to be deployed nationally where operational requirements demand

What Successful Candidates Will Learn and Do

Successful cadets will participate in a structured 12-month learning programme while gaining exposure to SARS Customs and Excise operations.

Some of the duties may include:

Assisting with administrative activities within the relevant division
Capturing and processing information accurately on SARS systems
Responding to basic information requests and referring queries to the appropriate departments
Maintaining accurate records of completed work
Communicating transactional information and queries
Resolving basic queries according to established procedures
Escalating problems that cannot be resolved independently
Following learner activity manuals and operating procedures
Planning and organising assigned work
Reporting on work progress and transactional activities
Supporting service delivery within Customs & Excise operations

Cadets will also be expected to comply with SARS governance, operational and service-delivery standards throughout the programme.

Skills and Competencies

SARS highlights several behavioural competencies that may be important for candidates joining the programme, including:

Accountability
Honesty and integrity
Attention to detail
Analytical thinking
Respect
Trust
Organisational awareness
Commitment to continuous learning
Fairness and transparency

Technical competencies include administrative support, data collection and analysis, records management, reporting, business knowledge, service delivery and compliance with standard operating procedures.

Additional Screening Requirements

Successful candidates may be required to undergo several recruitment and screening processes before appointment.

These may include:

Pre-employment screening
Security clearance
Criminal-record checks
Qualification verification
Integrity assessments
Case-study assessments
Pre-assessments
Psychometric assessments
Reference checks
Declaration of private interests
An oath of secrecy

SARS states that its Employment Equity Policy will form part of the recruitment and selection process, and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

How to Apply for the SARS Customs Cadet Learnership 2026

Applications must be completed online through the official SARS careers portal.

Applicants should search for:

Customs & Excise Cadet Learnership Programme (X80) – Requisition ID 11620

Before submitting your application, ensure that your personal information, qualifications, employment history and supporting information are complete and accurate.

Applicants should submit their applications before the closing date, as late applications may not be considered.

Closing Date

The closing date for the SARS Customs & Excise Cadet Learnership Programme 2026 is 30 September 2026.

Candidates interested in gaining practical experience in customs operations, border environments, administration and logistics are encouraged to apply before the deadline.