The South Sudan Revenue Authority (SSRA) has suspended all non-humanitarian tax exemptions at the Port of Mombasa as part of broader government efforts to strengthen fiscal discipline and boost domestic revenue collection.
According to a statement published on the SSRA Office Facebook page, the directive was issued on Tuesday by the Commissioner General of SSRA, William Anyuon Kuol, during a meeting with SSRA staff stationed in Mombasa.
The meeting brought together senior SSRA officials, including the Commissioner of the Customs Revenue Division, Akech Tong, tax advisor George, and several other commissioners, who met with port-based staff to assess operational challenges and review the working environment.
Commissioner General Anyuon directed staff to immediately cancel all non-humanitarian exemptions issued from last Friday to date and ensure that all applicable taxes are paid.
“In case of any exemption that has come from last Friday up to today, you must cancel it and ensure taxes are paid. There are no more exemptions. Any exemptions already on your table should be treated as cancelled,” Anyuon said.
The decision implements the Memo on Fiscal Discipline and Economic Recovery presented by the Minister of Finance and Planning, Dr. Bak Barnaba Chol, which was approved by the Council of Ministers last Friday.
The council meeting was chaired by President Salva Kiir Mayardit and focused on strengthening revenue mobilization to support economic recovery.
The Commissioner General emphasized that the move demonstrates SSRA’s commitment to protecting national revenue and enforcing government policy amid ongoing economic reforms.
However, Anyuon clarified that exemptions for humanitarian organizations including United Nations agencies, international non-governmental organizations, and national NGOs remain legally recognized, though subject to strict verification procedures.
“You need to verify whether the goods being imported match what the government has exempted. The contents of the containers must correspond with the approved exemptions,” he said.
The Assistant Commissioner in charge of Mombasa, Bulis Maker, welcomed the directive, noting that widespread exemptions have significantly undermined government revenue.
“As a government, we lose a lot through exemptions. This is government policy, and as implementers and regulators, we must enforce what the government has decided,” Bulis said.
“Exemptions not meant for humanitarian purposes should come to an end, and those holding such exemptions should return to South Sudan.”
The Council of Ministers has empowered the South Sudan Revenue Authority to reject any illegal or unjustified tax exemptions as part of efforts to increase domestic revenue and finance essential government programs.
