Shipping containers at Kenya Port. | Courtesy.

South Sudan and Tanzania have signed a new agreement to strengthen customs cooperation and improve cargo movement through the Port of Dar es Salaam, in a move aimed at boosting trade and revenue collection.

The Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the South Sudan Revenue Authority (SSRA) and the Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA), fulfilling a commitment made under a bilateral communiqué signed in January this year.

The agreement follows a series of meetings in Tanzania by an SSRA delegation led by Commissioner General Moun Deng Ajuet, which reviewed customs operations at the Port of Dar es Salaam and plans to establish a dedicated customs office there.

“This memorandum will serve as a framework for cooperation between us and our sister country, providing guidance on how we conduct our business. It will also promote the Dar es Salaam–South Sudan Trade Corridor, which is a key route that we have developed for the benefit of our people,” he said.

Commissioner General Moun Deng Ajuet described the agreement as a practical roadmap for expanding trade and strengthening cooperation between the two countries.

“Freedom of movement for goods is very important, ensuring that traders are not restricted or overburdened in one area. It will also enhance customs operations through digital integration and information sharing,” he added.

Tanzania Revenue Authority Commissioner General Yusuph Juma said the agreement will improve system integration and support revenue operations at the port.

“On system interface and information sharing, this Memorandum of Understanding will provide for access and integration of systems. One pending issue is the plot at Kuala. We have already started working on it and are engaging with different government authorities, including TPE, to ensure it is allocated to SSRA,” he said.

The MoU provides a framework for cooperation in customs administration, digital integration, information sharing, staff training and implementation of the East African Community Single Customs Territory.

“My assurance is that within this first quarter of the financial year, before the end of October, all required permits for the site will be made available,” the Tanzanian official said.

Officials say the agreement is expected to improve cargo tracking, speed up customs clearance and strengthen trade links between South Sudan and Tanzania.

Once completed, the South Sudan customs office at the Port of Dar es Salaam will become one of the major gateways for imports, making efficient customs procedures critical for faster cargo clearance and regional trade.