🛃 Sri Lanka Customs Inspector of Customs Grade II Limited Competitive Examination 2026
The Department of Sri Lanka Customs, under the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, has announced a Limited Competitive Examination for promotion to the post of Inspector of Customs, Grade II.
The examination is open to eligible Customs Guards – Grade II, and applications must be submitted online within the specified application period.
📢 A total of 50% of existing vacancies of Inspector of Customs, Grade II will be filled through this limited competitive examination.
📅 Important Dates
| 📌 Item | 📅 Details |
|---|---|
| Gazette Date | 11 September 2026 |
| Online Applications Open | 14 September 2026 – 9.00 a.m. |
| Application Closing Date | 12 October 2026 – 9.00 p.m. |
| Examination Centre | Colombo only |
| Examination Date | To be announced later |
| Examination Fee | Rs. 600/- |
Applications are accepted online only through the Department of Examinations website.
🎯 Eligibility Requirements
👮 Professional Qualifications
Applicants should:
✅ Be an officer holding the post of Customs Guard – Grade II.
✅ Have completed an immediately preceding 5-year period of active and satisfactory service and earned all salary increments during that period.
✅ Have achieved an average or higher performance level according to the approved performance appraisal scheme during the five years preceding the date of promotion.
✅ Have passed the relevant Efficiency Bar examinations for the post of Customs Guard – Grade II.
🧾 Experience
Applicants should have completed at least 3 years of service as a Customs Guard – Grade II.
📋 Special Limited Stream Qualifications
Officers who fulfill the specified requirements up to 31 December 2026 may be recruited under the limited stream.
The requirements include:
🔹 At least 8 years of active and satisfactory service as a Customs Guard – Grade III.
🔹 The appointment should be permanent.
🔹 The applicant should not have been subject to disciplinary punishment under the relevant provisions.
🔹 The applicant should have earned 8 salary increments.
🔹 The applicant should have maintained an average or higher performance level for the relevant 8-year period.
🔹 The relevant Efficiency Bar examinations should have been passed.
🔹 Competency in the relevant official language should have been acquired.
All qualifications specified in the notification must be completed before the closing date of applications, 12 October 2026.
📝 How to Apply
Applications are available through the Department of Examinations website under:
Our Services → Online Applications – Recruitment Exams
🖥️ Applications must be submitted through the online system only.
Applicants should:
- 🌐 Access the online application system.
- 📖 Download and carefully read the application instructions.
- ✍️ Complete the application in English.
- 💳 Pay the required examination fee of Rs. 600/-.
- 🖨️ Obtain a printout of the completed application.
- 📁 Submit a copy to the Head of the Institution for inclusion in the personal file.
- 📄 Produce the certified application and service confirmation letter when called for the interview.
Incomplete applications will be rejected without notice. Amendments made after obtaining the printout will not be considered valid amendments.
💰 Examination Fee – Rs. 600/-
The examination fee is Rs. 600/-.
Payment can be made through the following methods provided by the online system:
💳 Any bank credit card
💳 Any bank debit card with Internet transaction facilities
🏦 Online banking / Flex App of Bank of Ceylon
🏦 Any branch of Bank of Ceylon
The full examination fee must be paid. Applications involving an underpayment or overpayment will be rejected.
The examination fee is not refundable or transferable to another examination.
📚 Examination Structure
The examination consists of two parts:
📝 Part 1 – Written Examination
| Subject | Duration | Total Marks | Pass Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Case Study | 2 Hours | 100 | 50 |
🗣️ Part 2 – General Interview
Marks are not allocated for the general interview.
Candidates will be called for the interview based on merit, subject to the number of vacancies and verification of the required qualifications.
🌐 Examination Medium
The examination will be conducted in:
🇱🇰 Sinhala
🇱🇰 Tamil
🇬🇧 English
Applicants must sit the entire examination in the same medium. Changing the examination medium later is not permitted.
Applicants may apply in the examination medium in which they passed the qualifying examination for entry into their present service.
📖 Case Study Syllabus
The written examination will test knowledge through case studies related to the duties of Inspectors of Customs.
Important areas include:
🚢 1. Inspection of Vehicles, Persons and Baggage
Inspection of the movement of:
🚗 Vehicles
👥 Persons
🧳 Passengers and baggage
at gates and other Customs premises including:
- Harbours
- Airports
- Export Processing Zones
- Other Customs premises
The syllabus covers both import and export-related activities.
📦 2. Storage and Release of Goods
The examination may cover procedures relating to:
📦 Storage of goods
🏢 Customs offices
⚓ Harbours
✈️ Airports
🏭 Export Processing Zones
🏬 Customs premises
📋 Customs warehouses
📋 Customs bonded warehouses
It also includes the release of goods following Customs clearance, documentation and securing relevant documents.
🔎 3. Key Duties
Applicants should have knowledge of the key duties performed by Inspectors of Customs.
🚨 4. Operations, Raids and Arrestments
The case studies may cover operations, raids and arrestments connected with Customs duties.
📦 5. Retained, Arrested and Forfeited Goods
Knowledge relating to goods and containers that are:
- Retained
- Arrested
- Forfeited
and the relevant documentation may be tested.
💰 6. Unpaid Duties and Customs Levies
The syllabus also covers the carrying and handing over of goods for which duties and other Customs levies have not been paid, under the supervision of Sri Lanka Customs.
✅ Selection and Results
Applicants who obtain 50% or more for the Case Study subject will be eligible to be called for the interview.
Applicants who pass the written examination and qualify at the interview will be selected for appointment subject to the approved number of vacancies.
The notification states that 10% of approved vacancies will be allocated for female officers.
Results will be communicated to applicants through the post or the official results website of the Department of Examinations.
🎫 Admission Cards
Admission cards will be issued online to applicants who have:
✔️ Paid the prescribed examination fee
✔️ Submitted the duly completed application on or before the closing date
Applicants who do not receive their admission cards should contact the relevant Institutional Examination Organization Branch as instructed in the official notice.
Applicants should carefully check their admission cards and contact the Department of Examinations well in advance if corrections are required. Requests for amendments made at the examination hall or interview will not be considered.
🪪 Documents Accepted for Identity Verification
Applicants must prove their identity at the examination centre.
The following documents are accepted:
- 🪪 National Identity Card
- 🌍 Valid Passport
- 🚘 Valid Sri Lankan Driving Licence
Applicants must comply with the identity-verification requirements at the examination hall.
📍 Examination Centre
The examination will be held only in Colombo.
📅 The date and venue of the examination will be notified later.
⚠️ Important Notice for Applicants
Obtaining an admission card does not confirm that an applicant has fulfilled every requirement to sit the examination or that the applicant is qualified for appointment.
Applicants are responsible for complying with the examination rules and regulations issued by the Commissioner General of Examinations.
The Gazette further states that if there is any inconsistency between the Sinhala, Tamil and English versions, the Sinhala text shall prevail.
📌 Quick Summary
🔹 Post: Inspector of Customs, Grade II
🔹 Department: Sri Lanka Customs
🔹 Examination: Limited Competitive Examination
🔹 Vacancies: 50% of existing vacancies
🔹 Application Method: Online only
🔹 Applications Open: 14 September 2026 at 9.00 a.m.
🔹 Applications Close: 12 October 2026 at 9.00 p.m.
🔹 Examination Fee: Rs. 600/-
🔹 Written Paper: Case Study – 2 hours
🔹 Written Paper Marks: 100
🔹 Pass Mark: 50
🔹 Interview: General Interview
🔹 Medium: Sinhala / Tamil / English
🔹 Examination Centre: Colombo
🔹 Examination Date: To be announced later
📢 Final Reminder
Eligible Customs officers who intend to apply should complete the online application before 12 October 2026 at 9.00 p.m. Applicants should carefully follow the official application instructions and ensure that all required qualifications are fulfilled before the closing date.
📄 Source: Gazette Notification published on 11 September 2026, Department of Sri Lanka Customs, Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development.
⚠️ Please refer to the original Gazette notification for the complete official terms, conditions and requirements.
📢 Gazette Advertisement – Sinhala Preview
📢 Gazette Advertisement – English Preview
Source – Gazette (2026.09.11)
