Customs Services collects K4.25 billion

THE Customs Services has collected K4.25 billion in revenue in the past two years, Acting Commissioner Ray Paul says.
Paul said since the demerger from Internal Revenue Commission, (IRC) Customs had recorded a good performance because of the efforts put in by officers on the ground.
The revenue came from fees paid by importers and fines imposed on entities that had breached Customs laws.
In the past weeks, stakeholders have raised concerns about the delay in the appointment of an acting commissioner of Customs as well as the need to have a substantive appointment made to the position of the commissioner of customs.
“I want to assure the public that Customs will continues to deliver its mandated roles through the relentless efforts of its staff, ensuring the country’s border is secure, that legitimate trade and travel continue to take place and revenue from Customs duties and taxes are collected,” Paul said.
He said Customs border security activities recorded significant success in intercepting a number of foreign-owned tug boats and barges laden with logging equipment for breach of the Customs Act and regulations.
He said surveillance at Jackson International Airport had been beefed up with 11 former ex­perienced Customs officers re-engaged.
He said work on two container scanners at the Port Moresby and Lae wharves were in pro­gress and would be completed later this year.
“These facilities (container scanners) will immensely ease the congestion experienced at these major ports due to increasing volume of goods coming through as a result of the mineral and oil industry,” he said.
Paul said it would boost trade and economy and ensure goods were brought into the country legitimately.