By Lodu William Odiya
The newly appointed Commissioner General of the South Sudan Revenue Authority (SSRA), Rizig Dominic Samuel, has issued a stern directive to importers, demanding full compliance with customs laws and warning against any attempts to evade duties on goods entering the country.
In an official circular issued on Friday, September 25, 2026, Commissioner General Rizig instructed all importers to ensure that goods entering through designated ports of entry are accurately declared and that all applicable customs duties are paid in full according to established regulations.
Dominic emphasised that all supporting import documents, including details on value, quantity, classification, and tax exemption claims, must be genuine and precise.
“Any attempt to evade customs duties, taxes, or levies through under-declaration, misclassification, false documentation, concealment, misrepresentation, or any other fraudulent means will be treated as a customs offense,” Dominic warned.
Addressing enforcement measures, the SSRA chief noted that under the East African Community (EAC) Customs Management Act, offenders face severe penalties, including hefty fines, legal sanctions, and enforcement actions.
Importers caught underpaying or evading duties will be required to settle all outstanding balances alongside statutory fines and penalties.
Dominic further clarified that settling unpaid taxes does not clear an offender of legal liability for fraudulent acts.
“Payment of outstanding duty or tax does not, where applicable, extinguish liability for a separate penalty or offense,” he stated, emphasising that statutory fines apply in addition to recovered duties under the EAC framework.
The Commissioner General urged the business community and trade importers across South Sudan to familiarise themselves with customs legislation and maintain verifiable documentation to ensure smooth cross-border trade and avoid legal consequences.