Customs predicts hike in revenue haul

THE PNG Customs Services expects an increase in revenue collections from an aggressive audit campaign and a major debt recovery programme recently launched to identify and collect outstanding debts.
This is after Customs recorded a K15 million surplus for the first quarter ending March 31.
Commissioner Customs Gary Juffa said in a statement there would also be a stringent review of customs agents.
He said agents who are found to be errant or involved in fraudulent type of activities would be severely dealt with and their licences cancelled and prosecuted for Customs fraud.
Juffia made the statement when he reviewed revenue reports for the first quarter on the performance  of the PNG Customs Services.
PNG Customs, only in its first year as an entity separate from the Internal Revenue Commission (IRC) since January this year, had recorded K15 million surplus in its revenue collection.
It also recouped more than K2 million in amounts evaded or owed to the State and in penalties for the same period.
“The second quarter’s revenue collection figures are already looking like following the same trend with significant amounts of revenue to be collected from errant companies and individuals and penalties of companies and individuals committing Customs fraud or breaching other laws administered by Customs,” Juffa said.
He said in addition, Customs seizures had reached an all-time high, including a number of arrests and the deportation of foreigners illegally entering or residing in Papua New Guinea as Customs made an aggressive effort to secure PNG’s border and protect its communities.
“This quarter has seen the arrest and fining of more then 20 foreign nationals, several of whom are awaiting court for various offences in breach of customs and migration laws in a nationwide effort by Customs to crack down on transnational crimes.
 “We have limited funds … we only received 46% of our requested budget.
“But we are making significant inroads in securing our border, protecting our community and protecting legitimate industries.
“I have submitted for additional funding from Treasury to boost our efforts as our people deserve better and I am optimistic the result would be favourable”, he said.
Juffa lauded the members of the industry for assisting Customs, noting that there are also some “rotten apples” that needed to be identified and dealt with.
“In general, compliance had significantly improved and customs agents and shipping agents are being stringently scrutinised with those who do not toe the line,” Juffa said.