Mananga border post recorded the seizure and destruction of about 1,200 kilograms of illicit goods in December 2025 following coordinated operations by the Eswatini Revenue Service, the Royal Eswatini Police Service and other regulatory agencies.
The enforcement action was disclosed as the country observed International Customs Day under the global theme “Customs Protecting Society Through Vigilance and Commitment.”
ERS Commissioner General Brightwell Nkambule delivered the keynote address, outlining how Customs operations now extend beyond revenue collection to managing two core responsibilities of facilitating legitimate trade that supports business and economic growth while preventing harmful, illegal or non compliant goods from entering or leaving Eswatini.
According to the revenue authority, trade facilitation and compliance anchor its strategy, supported by digital tools and practical reforms. Several partner regulatory administrations are using the Customs clearance system to manage import permits, a process that stops the release of goods that fail to meet safety and regulatory requirements.
Nkambule said the authority has adopted the World Customs Organisation Performance Measurement Mechanism, which allows tracking of enforcement, security and societal protection outcomes alongside revenue and clearance times.
“These tools allow us to measure impact, not only speed,” he noted, adding that many recent results were achieved through joint operations with partners including the police and the Ministry of Health.
Coordination at border posts is being strengthened through an Inter Agency Cooperation Framework developed with support from the World Customs Organisation. The framework guides information sharing, streamlining of processes, removal of duplication and the rollout of a national approach to risk management across border agencies such as Immigration, NAMBoard, the Dairy Board and the Ministry of Agriculture.
Nkambule said risks remain higher at non designated entry points, prompting added investment in enforcement capacity. With support from the International Monetary Fund, enforcement teams have received specialised training to improve detection and suppression of illicit trade.
Looking ahead, ERS plans to expand digitalisation, including the introduction of non intrusive inspection scanners to be used jointly across government agencies to improve detection of illegitimate goods.
The authority is also strengthening voluntary compliance through programmes such as the Authorised Economic Operator scheme, which currently has 20 accredited companies and is being positioned as a trusted trader programme.
Nkambule said protecting society is a shared responsibility that depends on sustained partnerships among regulators, law enforcement agencies, health authorities and the private sector.
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