• The donation is in line with section 204 of the Customs and Excise Act.
• Donated items were seized this year by Custom Services Division and the enforcement unit.
• ZRA does not take pleasure in seizing and forfeiture of imported goods to the state.
Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) says it will not relent in enforcing regulations to curb smuggling and ensure that right taxes are paid to government.
Speaking during the donation of seized motor vehicles and goods to four government institutions, Authority Commissioner General Dingani Banda said ZRA has simplified tax information aimed at ensuring that tax payers and importers have easy and timely access to tax information to curb tax evasion.
Mr. Banda stated that the donated items worth K1.5 million were seized this year for various offenses such as attempted smuggling, under valuation of imports and misclassification of goods among others and they include 30 used motor vehicles, second hand clothes and consumables.
He said the donation is in line with section 204 of the Customs and Excise Act.
“These donated items were seized this year by Custom Services Division and the enforcement unit, for various offenses including attempted smuggling, misclassification, under valuation, among others.”
“While we do not take pleasure in seizing and forfeiture of imported goods to the state, we will continue to do so until those involved in vices such as smuggling start doing the right thing,” Mr. Banda said.
He stated that the gesture is aimed at discouraging and curbing smuggling of goods which has continued taking centre stage in the country, adding that the Authority will not relent in its enforcement activities as long as the illicit activities are part of society.
“Let me take this opportunity to warn those involved in smuggling, misclassification, under valuation of imports, and other similar vices that ZRA is coming for you, it is only a matter of time before we catch you.”
“The Authority has recently invested in high Spec technology such as the mobile satellite van which has connectivity to ZRA systems anywhere in Zambia, drones and non-intrusive scanners, all aimed at combating smuggling and related offences,” he warned.
And Deputy Inspector General of Police Doris Chibombe thanked ZRA for the gesture which she says will help improve operations as police depend on motor vehicles for their work.
The Four Government institutions that have received the seized goods are Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit (DMMU), Financial Intelligence Center (FIC), Joint Investigative team and National Parole Board.
DMMU has also received other goods and consumables ranging from new and old second hand clothes, including cosmetics such as lotions.
