Immediate Moratorium

Pursuant to Section 5 of the Excise Act 1956 and all other powers enabling, this serves to inform the general public that PNG Customs will as of the date of this publication, impose a moratorium on all applications for new Alcohol Manufacturing Licenses and all applications for existing dormant licenses, until further notice.

The moratorium is deemed necessary as a result of widespread non-compliance of alcohol manufacturing operators, and the increase in adverse social impacts and public health concerns.

The moratorium will allow PNG Customs to carry out the following:

• Strengthen enforcement mechanisms against non-compliant operators.
• Conduct a thorough audit of the existing regulatory framework.
• Develop more robust policies and implement control measures.
• Reassess our capacity and re-strategize to manage the sector effectively

Current active license holders are reminded that this moratorium does not absolve them of their responsibility to adhere strictly to all existing license conditions, laws, and regulations. PNG Customs will continue to exercise its lawful powers to inspect premises and penalize or revoke licenses for any instances of non-compliance with statutory requirements.

For further information, please contact the Office of the Chief Commissioner or the Compliance and Procedures Division or email addresses ooc@customs.gov.pg or cpd@customs.gov.pg or cal@customs.gov.pg respectively.