Welcome to the PNG Customs Service
Press Release 17 October 2012
Customs establishes audit committee
The PNG Customs Service has become the 28th organisation in Papua New Guinea to establish an audit committee following its' audit committee's launching on Tuesday this week.
The purpose of the Customs audit committee is to provide assistance to Commissioner Ray Paul and his senior executive management in fulfilling their responsibilities of achieving good corporate governance and to ensure effective internal controls and operations within the organisation.
"This is an important step towards sound governance for this organisation", the Commissioner stated during the launching. "When something is wrong, we have to call it by its right name, and by establishing such a committee, it will help or guide us to make good, sound decisions."
The Customs audit committee comprises of two independent members, a representative from the Auditor General's and Finance Secretary's office and the Commissioner of Customs.
Audit committee chairman John Dotson, an independent member, said it was pleasing to see that that the Customs management was in support of the committee.
"This audit team is as good as the support that you (Commissioner) and your management gives," Mr. Dotson stated.
"I do not want it to be just another audit committee, we have to make it special, we have to make it to be a tool that the Commissioner and the executive management can use to add real value to the operations of PNG Customs," Mr. Dotson added. "The setting up of the Customs audit committee also adds to the good reputation and identity that has already been established by the organisation."
Ray Paul
Commissioner
Press Release 17 October 2012
Foreigner fined for attempted smuggling
Customs officers at Jackson's International Airport in Port Moresby have, for the third time this year, fined a foreigner last week for attempting to smuggle in excess cigarettes.
Customs Commissioner Ray Paul stated that although the offence seemed minor, it showed that people still continued to show disrespect for the laws of this country by going out of their ways to avoid paying the appropriate taxes due to the State.
Excess cigarettes can be brought into the country by passengers provided they are properly declared and the correct fee imposed at the airport is paid for.
"The first offence of this kind was reported in January this year when a foreigner was fined for concealing cigarettes in a secret compartment below his suitcase while the second case was reported in February when another foreigner was fined for concealing excessive cigarettes in a tin can", the Commissioner stated.
Again, on this instance, excess cigarettes were found in a compartment located below the traveler's suitcase. Two cigarette gross, clothes and other items were placed on top of the secret compartment and packed in a way to disguise the presence of the secret compartment.
"Customs does not tolerate foreigners who show little or no respect for PNG's laws whilst traveling in for work or to engage in business activities", the Commissioner added.
"It does not matter if the nature of the crime committed is big or small, what matters is that the laws of this county must be respected and adhered to".
The foreigner is an employee of a mining company in PNG. He was released after being fined and a warning letter issued to his employer.
Ray Paul
Commissioner