Dili, January 13, 2026 (Média Democracia) – The Ministry of Finance (MoF), through the Customs Authority (CA), held a press conference to update information on revenue collection for the 2025 period, from January to December 2025, during which total revenue collected amounted to US$120,850,308.46. The press conference took place at the Ministry of Finance headquarters in Aitarak Laran, Dili, on Monday.
The Commissioner of the Customs Authority (CCA), Joanico Pinto, stated that based on revenue contributions, the Customs Authority successfully exceeded the target set by the Government through the Ministry of Finance. The target was set at only US$109 million, but the actual revenue collection surpassed this figure.
“From the total revenue of US$120,850,308.46, collections were made from seven (7) installation points, including the Batugade Integrated Border Post from January to December 2025. Petroleum activities from the Bayu Undan offshore field, although already decommissioned, continued to contribute to state revenue in 2025 with a total of US$37,111.10. The Presidente Nicolau Lobato International Airport in Comoro contributed US$1,479,796.98. The Tibar Bay Port in Liquiça contributed a total of US$116,201,445.71. The Maliana–Tunubibi Integrated Border Post contributed US$11,512.18. The Post Office Building contributed US$12,642.54, and the Salele Integrated Border Post contributed US$563,858.52,” said the Commissioner of the Customs Authority, Joanico Pinto.
The Commissioner further explained that in the previous year (2024), the Government, through the Ministry of Finance, particularly in macroeconomic planning, set a revenue target of US$109 million for the Customs Authority. However, in 2025, Customs Authority collections reached over US$120 million, meaning the Authority exceeded the target set by the Ministry for that year.
“I have already explained the collection points, but in terms of revenue collection we apply three main types of taxes. The first is the 2.5% customs import duty. The second is the 2.5% sales tax (SEL-TEX). In certain cases, based on the law, we also apply selective consumption taxes. These selective taxes are applied to specific goods such as cigarettes, beverages, and alcoholic drinks that contain high alcohol content. For example, when a person is allowed to bring in only 10 items but inspection teams find more than 15 items, the excess items become subject to investigation and penalties, including fines paid to the State,” the Commissioner explained.
The Commissioner also informed that in another example, when a company or individual imports a vehicle, there is a minimum required usage period of five years and the vehicle must be in good condition. However, if vehicles are imported with blackened windows or other violations, the Customs Authority subjects them to investigation and applies penalties accordingly.
“We see that these contributions do not come solely from regular service contributions, but also from other efforts such as confiscating illegally imported goods and applying penalties and fines, all of which are combined into state revenue,” the Commissioner added.
The Commissioner further emphasized that the Customs Authority will continue to carry out its duties with transparency and in accordance with the law, in order to guarantee revenue for the State of Timor-Leste and contribute to national economic growth and development.
Report: Nelfiano
Photo: Nelfiano