Government cracks down on security gaps to protect revenue and tighten borders
The Ministry of Finance and Treasury has ordered the immediate shutdown of all import operations at sufferance wharves across the country that fail to meet international maritime security standards.
The directive, issued by Minister of Finance and Treasury Rexon Ramofafia, took effect on 4 September 2026 as part of a decisive government intervention to protect national revenue and strengthen border security.
Minister Ramofafia said the move is necessary to address serious security gaps at facilities that do not hold ISPS accreditation from the Solomon Islands Maritime Authority (SIMA).
He stressed that meeting international maritime security standards is not optional but a strategic requirement to ensure Solomon Islands is not seen as a weak link in the global trade system.
In a government statement stated under the directive, the Comptroller of Customs and Excise has been instructed to close all sufferance wharves that fail to meet ISPS requirements under the SIMA legal framework.
The Comptroller must also strengthen monitoring and enforcement at approved facilities, with operations allowed to resume only once full compliance has been demonstrated and verified.
For wharves that are ISPS compliant and approved to operate, the Comptroller must ensure:
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all duties and taxes are paid in full before cargo is released
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there is no pre-release of goods
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no prohibited or restricted items are landed
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all port dues are paid and security declarations obtained
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the safety of officers, revenue and cargo is assured at all times
Minister Ramafofia said the directive is not intended to hinder legitimate trade but to ensure trade is conducted through secure, regulated and internationally compliant facilities.
He noted that effective border management is fundamental to safeguarding revenue and reducing opportunities for smuggling, under-declaration and other forms of customs fraud.
“Security compliance is essential to efficient trade facilitation. It protects our revenue, upholds our international obligations, and maintains confidence in our maritime security space,” the Minister said.
He acknowledged that sufferance wharves play an important role in supporting economic activity. However, he warned that continued operation of non-compliant facilities poses unacceptable risks to cargo security, revenue collection and the integrity of the country’s border control regime.
Importers, exporters, shipping agents, customs brokers and wharf operators have been urged to ensure their operations and documentation fully comply with all legal and security requirements.
