Some clearing agents forge documents to allow imported products into the country, Dr. Kuorwel Kuai Kuorwel, the Chairperson of the South Sudan Bureau of Standards (SSBS) has said.

Speaking on Friday after meeting with members of Clearing Agents Union in border town of Nimule, Dr. Kuorwel claimed that some clearing agents forged Certificate of Conformity (COC) and stamps to clear goods. He warned that such offence remains a legal matter that can lead to jail terms.

“Some members have been forging documents such as the stamp of some agencies including like South Sudan Bureau of Standards,” Kuorwel said.

The SSBS boss urged the agents to desist from allowing sub-standard goods into the country, cautioning that such crimes attract heavy legal punishments.

“In our discussion, we concluded that although the clearing agents are a very important part of the private sector and also in facilitating trade in South Sudan, we want them to desist from allowing substandard goods to enter the country. By doing that, they should stop, they should inform their members that forging of the Certificate of Conformity or COC is a legal matter and it attracts jail term if we find someone doing that,” he stressed.

Deng Daniel, Chairman of the South Sudan Clearing Agents Freight Forwarding Association, alleged that forgery of documents to clear imported goods was a ‘coordinated network’ of some clearing agents and government agencies.

He claimed that the agents work with the help of other government agencies because the packing yards are controlled by government agencies including their security organs deployed there.

“We acknowledge and condemn such acts. As clearing agents, we are going to refrain from such malpractices and it will not be a case as usual,” he said.