2027 Professional Examination for Principal Customs Inspectors: Registration Open

The Ministry of Action and Public Accounts is opening, for the year 2027, the professional examination for access to the rank of 2nd class principal inspector of customs and indirect taxes. The opening is authorized by a decree dated September 1, 2026 (NOR CPPD2622762A), published in the Official Journal of the French Republic No. 0207 on September 5, 2026, accompanied by an examination notice (NOR CPPD2622767V).

Organized by the Directorate General of Customs and Indirect Taxes, this examination is intended for customs inspectors currently in post. Registration takes place from September 18 to October 30, 2026, and the written eligibility tests are scheduled for January 2027.

Eligibility Conditions

The examination is open to customs and indirect tax inspectors who cumulatively meet the conditions set by Article 26 of Decree No. 2007-400 of March 22, 2007, as amended:

• prove, as of January 1, 2027, at least five years of effective service in a Category A corps, including at least two years in the rank of customs and indirect tax inspector;
• have, as of the same date, at least one year and six months of seniority in the 3rd step of their rank.

The professional training cycle completed at the National School of Customs as a trainee inspector is counted as effective service. Furthermore, candidates are subject to an administrative inquiry prior to recruitment.

Examination Schedule

The written eligibility tests take place according to two schedules depending on the territory:

• January 12 and 13, 2027: in mainland France, Reunion, Mayotte, Guadeloupe, Martinique, French Guiana, Saint Pierre and Miquelon, and French Polynesia;
• January 13 and 14, 2027: in New Caledonia and Wallis and Futuna.

The admission tests take place starting from March 22, 2027. The deadline for the submission of the professional experience recognition (RAEP) file by candidates declared eligible is set for March 15, 2027.

Registration Procedures

Registration is carried out via an online procedure on the website https://concours.douane.finances.gouv.fr, in a single phase of registration and validation. Candidates unable to register online may obtain a paper application:

• in mainland France, from the interregional directorates of customs and indirect taxes of their residence;
• in the overseas departments and collectivities, from the regional customs directorate or the customs service headquarters.

Candidates with disabilities requesting exam accommodations must submit a medical certificate by December 1, 2026, at the latest, in accordance with Article R. 352-4 of the General Code of the Public Service.

The total number of places offered will be subject to a subsequent decree published in the Official Journal. The organizational procedures for the tests are established by the decree of February 7, 2023 (NOR ECOD2303493A).

Scope of the Announcement

This professional examination constitutes a major internal promotion path for customs inspectors wishing to access the rank of principal inspector 2nd class. The concerned agents have a period of approximately six weeks to submit their applications, and the tests will be held starting at the beginning of 2027, which necessitates early preparation of the professional experience recognition files.

Official Source: Official Journal of the French Republic, No. 0207 of September 5, 2026 — Decree of September 1, 2026 (NOR CPPD2622762A) and examination notice (NOR CPPD2622767V), Ministry of Action and Public Accounts.