By Rebecca Athiang Bol.
National minister of Trade and Industry has issued a ministerial order for implementation of a compulsory issuance of pre-import standard certificate for all goods coming into the country.
In the order dated June 2, minister of trade Kuol Athian Mawien directed all stakeholders to adhere to the directives in a bid to combat substandard, counterfeit, and adulterated goods.
“I, Hon. Kuol Athian Mawien, Minister of Trade and Industry of the Republic of South Sudan, do hereby issue this Ministerial Order Number 25/01/2023 AD as follows,” the order reads in part.
Mr. Mawien appealed to all traders and exporters to comply with the directives by showing a Certificate of Conformity (COC) or risk a stern penalty of a fee equivalent to 40% of their goods’ value.
Importers, traders, and exporters of goods MUST show a Certificate of Conformity (COC) alongside their import and export licenses upon arrival at the station at border posts before clearance of goods,” he noted.
“Failure to present the certificate of conformity, importers or traders shall be penalized,” Mr. Mawien warned.
According to Minister Mawien, the implementation of the mandatory certificate of conformity should start immediately as of Wednesday, June 21, 2023, at all border points.
He also called on the Bureau of Standards, Security organs, economic intelligence, customs trade officers, and anti-smuggling units in the Ministry of Interior to implement the order across the country.