Apia, SAMOA – 26 January 2026<\/strong> – The Ministry of Customs and Revenue commemorated the International Customs Day today with a function held at the Sails Bar and Restaurant at Mulinuu.<\/p>\nThe Minister of Customs, Masinalupe Leatuavao Makesi Pisi delivered the keynote address underscoring the Ministry\u2019s crucial role as a primary source of government revenue.<\/p>\n
The Minister also highlighted the critical importance of the department while openly addressing the significant challenges it currently faces.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhile the Customs department plays a critical role in securing the nation\u2019s borders, it is currently struggling with significant shortages of staff and equipment,\u201d the Minister said.<\/p>\n
Under the theme \u2018Fa\u2019atauaina o manulauti tauave i le lelei faatino o le Galuega\u2019<\/strong> (Prioritizing workforce excellence), customs workers are continuing to receive skills training through continued funding from the Australian Government.<\/p>\n\u201cTo support today’s focus on improving work performance, the Australian Government continues to fund training aimed at developing the skills and knowledge of customs officers,\u201d said Masinalupe.<\/p>\n
He also discussed the government\u2019s plan to restructure the Ministry, specifically the separation of Customs and Revenue.<\/p>\n
He noted that the move is intended to enhance operational excellence and strengthen the workforce\u2019s service to the country.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe division aims to improve performance and allow officers to better fulfil their duties to the nation\u201d<\/p>\n
He also addressed the Ministry\u2019s single scanner, noting that despite its small size, it has been highly effective in intercepting illegal products from overseas. He added that while there is a rise in illegal activities, customs officers are keeping a close watch on the situation.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Ministry\u2019s small scanner has successfully caught many illegal imports, and I assure to the public that customs officers remain vigilant,\u201d said Masinalupe.<\/p>\n
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By Esther Yvonne Atonio\/ Apia, SAMOA – 26 January 2026 – The Ministry of Customs and Revenue commemorated the International Customs Day today with a function held at the Sails Bar and Restaurant at Mulinuu. The Minister of Customs, Masinalupe Leatuavao Makesi Pisi delivered the keynote address underscoring the Ministry\u2019s crucial role as a primary […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":55414,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"nf_dc_page":"","_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[186],"tags":[59,6201],"class_list":["post-55413","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-government","tag-featured","tag-samoa-celebrates-international-customs-day"],"yoast_head":"\n
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