SSRA Customs Chief Warns Clearing Agents Against Revenue Fraud at Nimule Border
The Commissioner for Customs Revenue Division at the South Sudan Revenue Authority (SSRA), John Mading Bol, has warned clearing agents operating at the Nimule border against submitting false customs declarations, saying those found involved in revenue fraud risk losing their operating licenses.
Mading issued the warning on Friday during a meeting with heads of customs units and other government agencies operating at the Nimule border.
The commissioner is part of a delegation led by the Commissioner General of the South Sudan Revenue Authority, Ambassador Moun Deng Ajuet, which arrived in Nimule on Friday to reinforce government directives aimed at ending tax exemptions for subcontractors, strengthening discipline, improving operational efficiency, and ensuring full compliance with national policies.
“The issue of clearing agents, Hon. Commissioner General, is that some of them submit false declarations so that the government does not collect the correct revenue. As Commissioner for Customs, I assure you that if such fraud or forgery occurs, we will immediately suspend or cancel the license of the clearing agent involved,” Mading said.
He stressed that any attempt to manipulate customs declarations would attract severe penalties, noting that obtaining a clearing agent’s license for operations at the Nimule border is a significant financial investment.
“A clearing agent’s license for Nimule is now very expensive. To obtain a one-year renewable license, an agent must pay USD 4,000. If we cancel that license, the agent will have to apply again and pay the full amount. This is an important measure to punish anyone attempting to cheat the government or undermine revenue collection,” he added.
The warning comes as the SSRA intensifies efforts to improve domestic revenue collection, strengthen compliance with customs regulations, and eliminate practices that undermine government revenue mobilisation at the country’s major border entry points.
