The Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) has detained over 53 trucks and they risk being seized to the state if they fail to provide true and correct documentation related to the consignments they were found transporting.
ZRA Corporate Communications Manager Topsy Sikalinda tells Money FM News that so far 15 are confirmed seizures while others are still going through the verification procedures.
Mr. Sikalinda says the authority is currently holding goods worth K7.2 million at the Makeni yard.
“The authority has noted with displeasure the habit by some sections transporters and importers to smuggled goods, undervalue goods, under declare goods and misclassified goods that they risk their vessels (vehicles) being impounded, seized and forfeited to the state without any compensation after the statutory period,” he said.
He said the Authority currently is holding ethanol that was misclassified as methanol, Salaula misclassified as new clothing, alcoholic beverages, non-energy serving bulbs and some groceries such as shoe polish.
He added that all these were deliberately misclassified to avoid paying the correct taxes.
“It is important to note that genuine transporters and importers are strategic partners of the Zambia Revenue Authority but some sections of transporters and importers have continued to disregard the law,” said Mr. Sikalinda.
“As an authority, we are never happy to detained or impound goods and vessels because this results in losses for the importer, the turnaround for the transporter is increased hence negatively affecting the economy both at local and regional level.”

Mr. Sikalinda stated that the authority will ensure that smuggling is brought to an end at all costs to protect the Zambian economy.
He said smuggling promotes unfair competition as it affects market prices and impacts negatively on the economy.
“The commissioner General Mr. Kingsley Chanda recently issued a caution that should the transporter suspect that their client has smuggled, under declared, undervalued or misclassified the goods being transported; the transporter should immediately inform the Zambia Revenue Authority,” he said.

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