Each division/section has come up with a set of objectives and strategies that are linked to the organization mission .These objective and strategies form the basis on which annual work plans for each are formulated and implemented.
More details below:
Revenue Management Divison
Regional Operations Divison
Enforcement Division
REVENUE MANAGEMENT DIVISION
Headquarters Port Moresby
>The Revenue and Regional Operations Division in Headquarters is responsible for a range of revenue functions as well as oversight of regional operations. At headquarters level it is divided into four Branches; Tariff and Trade, Post Clearance Audit, Inland Revenue and KASPNG, each headed by a Director. Each Director is responsible to the Assistant Commissioner Revenue and Operations.
These Branches are located on the 8th Floor of Revenue Haus, Bogan Gapo, Champion Parade, Port Moresby National Capital District and their hours of business are 7.45am to 12noon and from 13.00pm to 16.06pm Monday to Friday.
TARIFF AND TRADE BRANCH
The Tariff and Trade Branch is headed by a Director and comprises the following sections:
Valuation Section
The work of the section encompasses all matters pertaining to Valuation (PNG is a signatory to the WTO Valuation Agreement), with a secondary responsibility for oversighting Securities issues. Valuation legislation is embodied in the Customs (Ad Valorem Duties) Regulation 1987.
Operational valuation matters are dealt with at port level and are referred to HQ when the matter involves difficult or more complex research and advice.
Tariff Section
This Section is responsible for researching and advising the correct tariff classification of imported goods and export commodities and providing technical advice to clients. They also consider and make recommendations on request for exemptions from payment of duties in certain circumstances.
As with the Valuation Section, most matters are dealt with at port level and referred to HQ only where a ruling is required.
POST CLEARANCE AUDIT
This section is newly formed and is a result of the modernisation project being undertaken within Customs. With the adoption of electronic reporting of import, export and excise transactions (see KASPNG below), clients are encouraged to undertake self assessment practices where shipments are cleared quickly post clearance audit rather than disruptive real time intervention.
Selection for audit is based on risk management principles and is supported by an integrated real time inspection program of high-risk shipments. Compliance is achieved through client education, the application of administrative penalties and if required, prosecution action.
INLAND REVENUE BRANCH
This Section is responsible for Excise and Warehouse goods, Cargo Control and Accounting, Customs Port Declarations, and Agent licensing. It is also responsible for researching and providing advice on policies, systems and procedures for application by clients.
KASPNG
KASPNG is the Section, responsible in the development, implementation and management of the Customs Automated Systems (ASYCUDA). KASPNG Section is based on the 8th Floor of the Revenue Haus in Port Moresby.
Asycuda is the electronic reporting and processing system for all import, export and excise entries lodged with Customs.
The first Asycuda Project was funded by AUSAID with technical assistance from UNCTAD and this project introduced ASYCUDA version 2.5 into PNG Customs in 1993.
In 1999 ASYCUDA was upgraded to version 2.7 operating in 14 ports around the country. Asycuda operated on stand-alone terminals requiring Customs to input information from paper entries lodged by agents. Back-up tapes were sent to KASPNG for accounting purposes.
Since 2004, Papua New Guinea Customs has embarked on a modernisation project supported by the Government, involving the upgrade of the Asycuda system from version 2.7 to Asycuda++.
The Asycuda++ Project is fully funded by the PNG Government. Installation of Asycuda++ in Port Moresby was completed in August of 2005 and Jacksons Airport Air Cargo facility in January 2006. It is planned for the upgrade to be rolled out to all major ports by December 2006. Upon completion of project a CUSTOMS Network will all ports.
REGIONAL OPERATIONS DIVISION
Customs offices in the Regions facilitate clearance of all sea, air and postal cargo by processing and assessing import, export, excise and other declarations and ensuring compliance with Customs requirements by undertaking cargo inspections and patrols. Smaller ports also undertake functions on behalf of other Government agencies including Immigration and Quarantine and enforce environmental and other laws concerning flora and fauna.
Southern Regional Operations
Southern Regional Office based in Port Moresby is responsible for Customs activities in the Region. The ports that fall under the command of the Regional Director are; Jacksons Airport, Alotau, Daru, Kiunga, Popondetta, Samarai and Tabubil. In Port Moresby Customs activities cover International airfreight, International mail exchange and sea freight cargo movements at Fairfax Harbour. A total of 89 staff operate in this Region.
Northern Regional Operations
Northern Regional Office based in Lae is responsible for Customs activities in the Region. The ports that fall under the command of the Regional Director are; Lae, Madang, Goroka, Mt Hagen, Wewak, Vanimo and Wutung. In Lae Customs activities cover International airfreight, International mail exchange and sea freight cargo. A total of 52 staff operate in this Region.
Islands Regional Operations
Islands Regional Office based in Kokopo (Rabaul) is responsible for Customs activities in the Region. The ports that fall under the command of the Regional Director are; Rabaul, Kimbe, Kavieng, Lihir and Manus. In Rabaul Customs activities cover International mail exchange and sea freight cargo movements at Rabaul Harbour. A total of 49 staff operate in this Region.
ENFORCEMENT DIVISION
The Assistant Commissioner Enforcement Division is responsible for three Branches, being Border Enforcement, Investigations and Intelligence.
Border Enforcement Branch
The Border Enforcement Branch role is to prevent and detect any unlawful activity at our borders. It provides border management and compliance support to Customs port operations through the provision of surveillance and response capabilities.
Its officers are also stationed at Jackson’s International Airport where they process passengers, and at Wutung Border Post where they monitor traditional border crossings.
Investigation Branch
The Investigation Branch is responsible for the investigation of more complex breaches of the Customs Act and other legislation for which Customs has responsibilities. Smuggling offences include fraud against Customs and the unlawful import or export of prohibited goods.
Fraud can involve failure to declare or concealment of dutiable goods, under-valuation, false invoices and double invoicing, transfer pricing, evasion of duty/taxes and identity fraud.
Unlawful imports and exports can involve goods, such as drugs, firearms and ammunition, pornography, and other goods that have been listed as dangerous and a menace to the community.
Investigation officers are stationed in Port Moresby, Lae and Kokopo to provide an investigation capability to each of the Regions.
Intelligence Branch
The Intelligence Branch supports both Divisions of Customs through the provision of intelligence and information services.
The Branch is responsible for the collection, collating and analysis of information and the dissemination of intelligence to its clients that include other law enforcement agencies and Customs administrations.
Information services provide a point of first contact and liaison role between Customs and other law enforcement agencies and Customs administrations.
Intelligence officers are stationed in Port Moresby, Lae and Kokopo to provide an intelligence capability to each of the Regions.
