Fake Invoices have short-changed Government for so long – PM told Parliament

By Lagi Keresoma/

Apia, SAMOA – 16 June 2026 – Prime Minister Laaulialemalietoa Leuatea Polataivao Schmidt publicly stated in Parliament this morning that the Government has been short-changed for so long as fake invoices by-passed customs duties and fees that are not properly collected.

The Prime Minister was responding to assertions by the Deputy Leader of the Opposition, Lauofo Fonotoe Pierre Meredith who doubted the high revenue targets set by the Government to be collected by the Ministry of Customs and Revenue, when the Government intends not to increase customs duties.

On the first day of the parliament debate on the Budget Estimates for 2026/2027, the Prime Minister confirmed that the Government has no plans to increase customs duties anytime soon but emphasized it is streamlining customs duties collection.
“When our government took over, we found a lot of fake and manipulated invoices. But they bring the goods in, sell them at costs that benefit them and leaving the government with nothing,” said the Prime Minister.

“That system has been in place for so long,” he stated.

In nine months since being in office, the Government established a Task Force to monitor the situation as a comparative analysis of prices at the till show discrepancies that point to the manipulation of customs duties as the only way prices of various goods remain so low and pushing competitors off the market.

Laauli also corrected the Opposition Deputy leader’s allegations that the revenue collected from duty fees has dropped by 10%.

He emphasized such allegations need to be corrected as the public should not be misinformed and misled.

This was supported by the Minister of revenue, Pauga Talalelei Pauga that revenue collection is on the increase.

He said that the 9 months since the FAST Government took office, the total revenue collected from duty fees has increased and continues to do so 3 months ago.

Only 600 companies legally registered
Pauga however said there are compliance issues with the current Tax Import Monitoring System (TIMS). While there are 5,000 registered companies in Samoa, only 2,000 reach the threshold in order to qualify. However, only 600 companies have registered under TIMS but only 150 comply due to compliance issues with the system.

Lauofo also warned of the impact of the current global fuel crisis that has ultimately impacted on the cost of living, freight and transport sector in Samoa.

The Prime Minister emphasized the government preparations with fuel supply confirmations up to December to ensure there is enough fuel to cater for the country’s needs.

“We cannot control fuel prices, but the Government’s concern is to ensure there is enough fuel and petrol to cover Samoa’s needs. If the prices are high as we expect, the government needs to readjust such as imposing cost saving measures and fuel rationing on government transportation.

The Prime Minister also hit at recent media misinformation that caused public panic when they reported that there was to be a shortage of petrol and diesel and a move towards a state of emergency.

Last Tuesday, the fuel importing contractor, PBS confirmed that there are adequate fuel supplies including petrol, diesel, kerosene and jet fuel up to when the next tanker is expected in port on 4 July.