South Sudan Ends Non Humanitarian Tax Exemptions at Mombasa

(MOMBASA) – The South Sudan Revenue Authority has suspended all non humanitarian tax exemptions on goods entering the country through the Port of Mombasa as part of efforts to strengthen revenue collection and support economic recovery.

The directive was issued by Commissioner General William Anyuon Kuol during a meeting with South Sudan Revenue Authority staff stationed in Mombasa on Tuesday.

The meeting brought together senior officials, including the Commissioner of the Customs Revenue Division, Akech Tong, and other revenue officers, to review operational challenges and assess working conditions at the port.

Anyuon said all non humanitarian exemptions issued after last Friday must be cancelled and that outstanding approvals should no longer be recognised.

He instructed officers to ensure that full taxes are collected on all affected consignments without exception.

The decision follows the adoption of a memo on fiscal discipline and economic recovery presented by the Minister of Finance and Planning, Bak Barnaba Chol, and approved by the Council of Ministers under the chairmanship of President Salva Kiir Mayardit.

The policy aims to improve domestic revenue mobilisation and reduce dependence on external support at a time of economic pressure.

Anyuon said the directive reflects the Authority’s commitment to protecting public revenue and enforcing government policy.

He clarified that exemptions remain in place only for humanitarian organisations, including United Nations agencies, international non governmental organisations, and registered national NGOs.

He said these exemptions will be subject to strict verification to ensure that imported goods match approved exemption documents.

He warned officers to inspect containers carefully and confirm that their contents comply with authorised humanitarian consignments.

The Assistant Commissioner in charge of Mombasa, Bulis Maker, welcomed the move and said widespread exemptions have contributed to major revenue losses for the government.

He said enforcing the new policy would help restore discipline and ensure that public resources are properly collected and managed.

The South Sudan Revenue Authority said it has been authorised by the Council of Ministers to reject all illegal or unjustified exemptions as part of efforts to increase funding for essential public services and development programmes.