South Sudan's English Daily Newspaper
"We Dare where others fear"
By Jenifer James
South Sudan is increasingly threatened by the smuggling of substandard and potentially dangerous goods, raising significant health and safety concerns throughout the country.
According to recent reports, smugglers are concealing illegal items under the guise of legitimate imports, sneaking them into the country via key entry points, particularly at the Nimule border crossing with Uganda.
The Commissioner General of the South Sudan Revenue Authority (SSRA), Simon Akuei Deng, sounded the alarm during a technical committee meeting held on Monday.
He warned that illicit trade is becoming increasingly sophisticated and widespread.
“There is a lot of smuggling happening, Just the other day, a trader importing military food attempted to smuggle drugs as part of his shipment. Many trucks declare maize flour as their cargo, but in reality, three-quarters of the load consists of shisha, alcohol, and tobacco.” Deng said
Deng revealed that some smugglers were recently intercepted at the Nimule border.
“They made it as far as Nimule before being caught. Now they’re protesting in my office, but I tell them, this is not part of any exemption,” he said. “We must take this issue seriously.”
Authorities say that the smuggling of toxic and counterfeit products poses a dual threat: endangering public health and undermining the economy.
The South Sudan National Bureau of Standards (SSNBS) is also stepping up efforts to keep substandard goods out of the market.
In April 2025, the agency ordered six trucks carrying a total of 3,840 bags of white sorghum to return across the border after the consignment failed to meet national quality standards.
Despite such efforts, weak border controls and limited testing facilities continue to hamper enforcement.
As the government pushes for stricter oversight, Deng emphasised the need for stronger regulatory mechanisms, improved infrastructure, and greater surveillance to crack down on illegal trade.
“We must protect our people and our economy, this is not just about revenue; it’s about national safety.” he stressed.
