Papua New Guinea hosted several key events this year, including the 2024 IPA Regulators Summit in July. At the summit, regulatory agencies shared their roles, responsibilities, and plans. These agencies are vital to the nation's economic development, ensuring compliance with laws and supporting government initiatives.
During the summit, PNG Customs Chief Commissioner David Towe provided an update on the operations of the agency, which oversees the regulation of goods, people, and services across PNG’s borders.
PNG Customs’ key responsibilities include monitoring imports and exports, collecting duties and taxes, preventing smuggling, enforcing trade regulations, protecting national security, ensuring product safety, and facilitating trade. It works in close collaboration with agencies such as the National Trade Office, immigration, and law enforcement to secure borders and regulate cross-border activities.
In September, PNG Customs reported significant growth in its mid-year performance, showing resilience and sound fiscal management despite challenging domestic and global economic conditions.
Building on 2023's momentum, the agency entered this year with a commitment to surpass expectations under the theme "Advancing Growth through Collaboration and Integrity."
According to its mid-year report, PNG Customs collected K1.86 billion in revenue by June 2024, reaching 44% of its annual target of K4.25 billion, as outlined in the 2024 National Budget. This year’s target represents a 13% increase over the previous year’s K3.7 billion. The mid-year revenue was K264.5 million (17%) higher than the same period in 2023.
Key factors in this success included border security, trade facilitation, and revenue collection. PNG Customs facilitated K642.16 million in import duty and tax exemptions through project agreements, reflecting a 2.4% increase compared to the same period in 2023.
Additionally, the agency processed and cleared 60,991 trade entries, including imports, exports, and local excise declarations in the first half of 2024—a 12% increase from 2023, with 6,794 more customs declarations and excise entries. This growth indicates rising economic activity and demand in PNG.
Despite its progress, PNG Customs faced challenges in the first half of 2024. Revenue collections fell 6% short of projections due to economic headwinds, and the agency continues to struggle with limited resources for border surveillance and compliance enforcement.
However, PNG Customs remains committed to its core mandate of ensuring effective border security, promoting economic growth, and contributing to the development policy agenda of the Marape-Rosso Government, Hon. Towe said.
