An efficient policer (210-1, . . . , 210-M) based weighted fairness bandwidth distribution system (200) is disclosed. The system (200) is based on a plurality of policers (210-1, . . . , 210-M) and at least one queue (220). To achieve fairness, the rate for queuing packets is adaptively controlled. Specifically, first the queue occupancy is determined and it then is used for computing an attenuation value (Attn). This value is multiplied by the excess information rate of each policer (210-1, . . . , 210-M) to get a new excess information rate to be enforced.