The South Sudan Revenue Authority (SSRA) has ordered an immediate halt to all cash transactions at the Nimule Border Station, one of the country’s key customs entry points from Uganda.

SSRA Commissioner General William Anyuon Kuol issued the directive during an inspection visit and engagement with senior officers on Friday.

He emphasized shifting to modern, transparent, and risk-free revenue systems to minimize losses and enhance accountability.

“Only payments made through official, system-generated invoices and deposited directly into banks are now permitted,” Kuol stated.

Officers handling cash will face strict accountability measures.The Commissioner General highlighted that cash collection has already been phased out in areas with available banking services.

Limited exceptions remain only in remote locations lacking banks or internet access, such as parts of the far northern region around Renk, where non-tax revenue officers may collect funds—but must report them within 24 hours.

Chop Paul, Commissioner for the Domestic Tax Revenue Division, reinforced the policy: “There is no cash collection anymore. We now rely solely on invoices generated from the system, and payments are made directly through the bank using those invoices. Such a risky practice cannot be allowed in areas where banks are available.”

During the meeting, officers raised operational challenges and concerns about revenue losses from exemptions, including large fuel waivers granted to companies and imports of luxury vehicles by government institutions—many of which reportedly enter the open market.

Lt. Col. Zendia Agness Mike, Head of the Tariff Department, questioned the fiscal impact: “When companies are given ten million litres of fuel, we must ask ourselves how much revenue we are losing.”

She added that exemptions may be justified for humanitarian organizations or limited government use, but not for tradable goods, citing examples of 50–100 V8 vehicles imported under exemptions that end up sold commercially.

The directive is part of broader SSRA efforts to strengthen revenue collection amid South Sudan’s economic challenges, promote electronic payments, and address inefficiencies at major border points like Nimule.

No specific implementation timeline beyond “immediate” was detailed, but the policy aligns with ongoing reforms to digitize and centralize revenue processes.