Sudan customs revenue exceeds first-quarter target by 26.4 percent as new commissioner reviews operations
Reported increase offers positive assessment of customs collections against the division’s first-quarter target
By Emmanuel Mandella
Hon. Riziq Dominic Samuel shares light moments with staff from the customs division at Juba International Airport.[Photo: Courtesy]
The customs revenue collection has exceeded its first-quarter target by 26.4 percent, the South Sudan Revenue Authority (SSRA) said, sharing the report during an inspection visit by newly appointed Commissioner General Riziq Dominic Samuel.
Commissioner Samuel was on an inspection tour to assess performance and identify ways to strengthen government revenue mobilization.
The commissioner, who met officials at the division’s headquarters before inspecting operations at Juba International Airport on Friday evening, marked his first engagement with the customs division since President Salva Kiir Mayardit appointed him Commissioner General on September 22, 2026.
The reported increase offers a positive assessment of customs collections against the division’s first-quarter target. However, officials did not disclose the actual amount collected, the monetary value of the target, or the corresponding figures from the same period in the previous financial year.
Samuel said the visit was intended to familiarize himself with customs operations, engage staff and understand the challenges and working arrangements within the division before determining the way forward.
“I’m honoured today to visit the Division of Customs and to visit my staff and see how they are doing,” Samuel said.
He added that discussions with customs officials had helped him understand their operational situation and that further planning would take place at the authority’s headquarters.
Deputy Commissioner for Customs Operations Dr. Daniel Kon briefed the visiting delegation on the division’s revenue performance, reporting that collections had surpassed the first-quarter target by 26.4 percent.
Kon described the result as a strong performance and expressed hope that the domestic tax division would record similar progress.
“We have surpassed the first quarter by 26.4 percent, which is really a good job, and we have done very well,” he said.
Following discussions at the customs headquarters, Samuel inspected operations at Juba International Airport, where customs officials oversee the clearance of goods entering the country.
Kon said the airport visit was intended to assess the smooth running of customs operations, particularly the processes involved in clearing goods.
He explained that efficient customs clearance is an important part of trade facilitation and that cooperation among agencies operating at the airport is necessary for effective service delivery and revenue mobilization.
The inspection provided an opportunity for the new leadership to engage directly with personnel responsible for implementing customs procedures and to observe operations at one of the country’s key entry points.
Customs administrations generally play a dual role in collecting duties and taxes on imported goods while facilitating legitimate trade. Delays, weak coordination or inconsistent procedures can affect businesses and the movement of goods, while effective controls are important for ensuring that applicable revenues are collected.
Kon said the commissioner general had reiterated his support for the customs division and his commitment to improving its work.
He also reported that staff had been assured there would be no rampant transfers within the division, a message he presented as part of the engagement between the new leadership and customs personnel.
Stable staffing, adequate resources, clear procedures and accountability are among the issues that can influence the performance of revenue agencies. The extent to which these measures affect future collections will depend on their implementation and the operational challenges faced by customs officials.
Samuel said he had learned from the discussions and would work with officials at the authority’s headquarters to determine the next steps.
The commissioner general also called on customs employees and staff from other agencies working alongside them to strengthen cooperation in carrying out their duties.
He stressed that revenue mobilization requires joint efforts rather than isolated work by individual departments.
He urged the personnel to work together to ensure that government revenue is collected efficiently and contributes to national development.