PNG Customs Commissioner Ray Paul

Those were the remarks from PNG Customs Commissioner, Ray Paul, on behalf of Treasury Minister Patrick Pruaitch, during the launch of a software, ASYCUDA World. The software will be used for trade by the PNG Customs.

Paul said our country substantially relies on trade, just like any other country in the world, for its economic growth.

ASYCUDA is a software designed to administrate the Customs process and stores declarations, manifests and other forms which assist in the facilitation of international trade and revenue.

It’s estimated the products are worth K500,000 in import excise duty and GST.

PNG Customs Commissioner Ray Paul in a media conference revealed that the company of interest was spotted unpacking cartons of cigarettes and alcoholic products from a container into its premises on Wednesday, July 20.

Customs then conducted verifications with the shipping and customs database and found that the particular shipment was falsely declared to customs as building materials.

Customs than reacted quickly to secure the container and arrange for a search warrant.