According to an embodiment, an inspection apparatus includes a communication interface and a processor. The communication interface acquires package information regarding a package being conveyed by a sorter that sorts the package and an operation signal generated based on an operation of an operator. The processor outputs reference information, based on past history in which inspection-result information indicating whether or not the package is a regulated-article candidate, generated based on the operation signal, and the package information are associated together, and the package information newly acquired.