Papua New Guinea Treasurer Ian Ling-Stuckey has commended the Papua New Guinea Customs Service (PNGCS) for its enforcement efforts after authorities uncovered more than K19 million in unpaid excise duties linked to illegally stored alcohol products in Port Moresby.
Ling-Stuckey said Customs’ recent compliance operations demonstrated the agency’s critical role in protecting state revenues and maintaining a fair business environment.
“A strong economy depends on strong institutions,” the Treasurer said in a statement. “PNG Customs’ professionalism in detecting excise non-compliance sends a clear message that illegal activities which deprive the State of revenue will not be tolerated.”
The Treasurer was referring to a Customs enforcement operation that uncovered 26,237 cartons and 616 loose bottles of undeclared alcoholic products allegedly removed unlawfully from a licensed manufacturing facility and transferred to an unlicensed storage site in Port Moresby.
Following the investigation, PNG Customs issued a demand notice seeking more than K19.05 million in excise duties under the Excise Act 1956.
Ling-Stuckey said excise collections remained a key source of domestic revenue used to fund health, education, law and order, and infrastructure development programmes.
He said excise revenue collections increased from K1.157 billion in 2022 to an estimated K1.467 billion in the 2026 national budget.
“Obtaining these increases requires working well with honest taxpayers, and cracking down on the crooks,” he said. “Effective enforcement against illicit tobacco and alcohol is central to sustaining this progress.”
The Treasurer said stronger compliance enforcement also protected legitimate businesses that complied with tax obligations.
“When companies attempt to evade excise obligations, it creates an uneven playing field,” Ling-Stuckey said. “PNG Customs’ actions protect honest manufacturers and importers who meet their tax responsibilities.”
Ling-Stuckey also praised Customs Chief Commissioner David Towe, senior management and frontline officers for their continued work in trade facilitation, revenue collection and border protection.
“I commend the leadership and officers of PNG Customs for maintaining a strong compliance culture,” he said. “I encourage them to continue this firm enforcement approach to ensure revenue growth is sustained into the future. Tax-paying firms will be treated with respect. Those that try and get around the law will be punished.”
The Treasurer said domestic revenue collection in 2026 was expected to reach 18.8 percent of gross domestic product, exceeding the government’s 2027 Medium-Term Revenue Strategy target of 17.9 percent.
He added that the government would continue supporting Customs and other revenue agencies through policy reforms, legislative measures and investment in compliance capabilities.
“The National Government will continue to work closely with PNG Customs to ensure our tax laws are enforced fairly, transparently and consistently, for the benefit of all Papua New Guineans,” Ling-Stuckey said.
