Africa-Press – South-Sudan. Freight forwarders and importers have raised concerns over what they describe as indiscriminate taxes and a cumbersome digital tax stamp system, warning that the measures are increasing costs for businesses and consumers alike.
The complaints come as the South Sudan Revenue Authority (SSRA) held its second stakeholders’ meeting to address complaints and explain the rollout of the new system.
Kuot Deng Chol, representing the South Sudan Freight Forwarders Association (SSFFA), said the country’s heavy reliance on imports makes excessive taxation particularly harmful.
“South Sudan is largely a non-productive country that depends heavily on imports. When excessive taxes are imposed on essential goods, it is businesses that suffer, and ultimately the burden is passed on to consumers,” Deng said.
He also raised concerns about what he called unequal treatment among importers. “Some clients appear to be favored, while others are subjected to significantly higher assessments without clear justification. Fairness and transparency are critically important to us,” he added.
Juma Charles Simon, Deputy Director of Finance and Administration at the South Sudan Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture, described the digital tax stamp application process as long and potentially confusing for businesses.
“We have seen the system in the presentation made here. The application process was long and may require in-house training. If that can be arranged, then a special arrangement should be made,” Simon said. He also questioned whether the process is fully grounded in law.
SSRA Assistant Commissioner for Board Affairs and Legal Services, Agum Ater Machiek, assured stakeholders that training would be provided to ease implementation.
“The tax stamp is going to be our identification code on the products. When a product is stamped in the market, it will show that it came to South Sudan legally,” Ater said. “It has not been smuggled. The same applies to our local manufacturers; it will help confirm that these are legal products in the market.”
She added that all imported goods must be stamped before entering South Sudan.
Deputy Commissioner for Compliance and Enforcement Joseph Wani urged importers and manufacturers to cooperate with the new system, promising that procedures would be simplified where possible.
He stressed that importers and exporters play a critical role in revenue generation and called for continued collaboration to strengthen the country’s economic system.
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