Sonoco Sierra Leone, an agribusiness and industrial affiliate of the Guinea-based Sonoco Group, has come under scrutiny following allegations that a consignment of iron rods imported under a duty-free concession was diverted into Sierra Leone’s commercial market instead of being used for its declared purpose.

According to information obtained by the Calabash Newspaper from a source familiar with the country’s construction materials sector, the shipment was reportedly imported under a customs duty exemption granted for a specific development project.

The source alleged that the materials entered Sierra Leone without payment of customs duties, Goods and Services Tax (GST) or other applicable import charges before being sold to businesses operating in the local market.

The medium has reviewed a cargo manifest relating to the shipment, which was transported aboard the vessel M/V ANUNNAKI.

The manifest shows that the cargo was loaded at Aliaga Port in Türkiye and shipped to the Port of Freetown. It identifies Metal Market Dis Ticaret A.S., based in Istanbul, Türkiye, as the exporter.

According to the shipping documents, the consignee was listed as “To the Order of Banque Pour Le Commerce et L’Industrie de Guinée (BCI Guinea),” while the notify parties included SIEG BCI in Conakry and Metal Import, located at Matoto Market, Conakry. Sources allege that Metal Import was used by Sonoco Sierra Leone in connection with the shipment.

The cargo manifest indicates that the consignment comprised 2,274 bundles of steel bars weighing 4,612.989 metric tonnes and 346 coils of rebar weighing 579.100 metric tonnes, representing a total of 2,620 packages. The manifest records a theoretical cargo weight of 5,192.089 metric tonnes and a gross weight of 4,621.320 metric tonnes.

The allegations have raised concerns over possible revenue losses to the Government of Sierra Leone and the potential impact on fair competition within the country’s steel and construction materials market.

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The source, who requested anonymity for fear of reprisals, alleged that businesses complying with customs and tax obligations are being placed at a competitive disadvantage by products that allegedly entered the country under duty-free arrangements before being sold commercially.

“I employ about 500 workers and pay all the required duties and taxes. It becomes difficult to compete with products that allegedly entered duty-free and are sold at significantly lower prices,” the source said.

The source further alleged that the iron rods were declared to the Customs Department under a duty exemption linked to a specific project but were subsequently supplied to businesses within Sierra Leone’s domestic market.

According to the source, if proven, such practices could undermine fair competition, deprive the Government of customs revenue and weaken confidence in the country’s customs administration.

The source called on the National Revenue Authority (NRA), particularly its Customs Department, to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the shipment by reviewing customs declarations, duty exemption approvals, import documentation and the final destination of the materials.

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“The documentation and the cargo can be verified. If the authorities examine the relevant customs records and inspect the shipment, they will be able to determine whether the materials were lawfully imported under a duty exemption and whether the conditions attached to that exemption were complied with,” the source alleged.

The Calabash Newspaper has reportedly reviewed cargo and shipping records, independently, relating to the shipment of steel bars, steel coils and associated accessories carried aboard M/V ANUNNAKI.

The source also disclosed that preliminary discussions had linked another company to the shipment but acknowledged that no documentary evidence had been produced to support those claims. Consequently, this report focuses solely on allegations concerning the alleged misuse of a duty-free import concession.

At the time of publication, efforts to obtain official responses from Sonoco Sierra Leone and the National Revenue Authority regarding the allegations, including whether a duty exemption was granted for the shipment, the conditions attached to any such concession and whether any investigation has commenced, had not been successful. Their responses will be published once received.

Industry stakeholders note that duty exemptions are an important government policy tool intended to promote investment, industrial development and strategic infrastructure projects. However, they caution that any abuse of such concessions, if established through lawful investigation, could result in significant revenue losses, distort market competition and undermine confidence in Sierra Leone’s customs regime.

This medium understands that the shipment remains at the Queen Elizabeth II Quay and is calling on the National Revenue Authority, the Sierra Leone Standards Bureau and other relevant regulatory agencies to inspect and verify the cargo, review all customs documentation and take any lawful action deemed necessary should any irregularities be established.

This medium will continue to monitor developments and publish verified findings from the relevant authorities, as well as responses from Sonoco Sierra Leone and any other parties connected to the matter, as they become available.