Monkey Business at Solomon Islands’ International Airports.
The two international airports in the Solomon Islands are under fire from local travelers. Honiara and Munda International Airport’s customs officers have come under the spotlight for the wrong reasons. Local passengers who are flying home from abroad specifically from Australia and New Zealand have raised concerns about customs officers charging them illegal fees for their items.
This has been going on for the past years but it has never got to where it is now after a passenger arriving at Munda International Airport posted it online. The post was shared and it is now trending on Solomon Islands Social media.
The alleged victim claimed that the incident occurred on the 27th of July this year when he arrived at the Munda International Airport from Brisbane after three years of working in Australia. While going through customs with other arrivals, specifically tourists. He noticed that everyone else passed the officers quickly and their luggage was not checked.
However, when it got to his turn. The officers opened his luggage and started interrogating him. They asked how many cell phones he had, the victim said he had four cell phones in total. Three of his old phones which he is planning to give to family members and his own. Then they asked how long has he been working in Australia which he replied by saying three years.
Not long after he answered them, they told him that he had to pay more than SBD300 for the old phones. He told them that he didn’t have that amount with him because his return was unplanned due to family issues. So the customs officer then asked how much he had with him. The victim said AUD50, and to his surprise, the customs officer said to give it to me. He asked for a receipt, but the officer said that since he didn’t pay the full amount they didn’t need to write up a receipt.
To make the victim’s journey more confusing and frustrating, when he was going to board a domestic flight. The same officer at the customs desk who took the AUD50 approached him and asked to buy one of the three cell phones for SBD100.
Then the victim added that after all that commotion, the customs officer came again and asked him if he had any other bag knowing that he (the victim) forgot his duty-free bag at the customs desk. The victim confirmed that he had forgotten his bag before they brought it back to him.
This is a serious case that needs to be properly investigated internally by the responsible authorities because it is not only happening in Munda but also Honiara.
A Social Media creator on Facebook who is also working in Australia brought up a similar issue earlier this year in a video upload on his page “Bigmanting”. This incident happened at Honiara International Airport and the victim was also charged for his cell phones.
Many more alleged victims are claiming this monkey business by customs officers. Check the link below to watch his video.
The Solomon Islands Customs and Excise Division and its stakeholders need to address this issue. Customs services can improve by implementing strict oversight and transparent procedures to prevent officers from charging extra or illegal fees to travelers.
Establishing clear guidelines, regular audits, and a robust reporting system for misconduct can deter corruption and ensure accountability. Training officers on ethical standards and the importance of integrity in their roles can reinforce these practices.
Additionally, using technology to streamline processes and minimize direct interactions between officers and travelers can reduce opportunities for unethical behavior. By upholding fairness and transparency, customs can enhance trust, improve the traveler experience, and contribute to a more efficient and reputable service.
