• ZRA intercepts 3,344 consignments in 2020
• Interceptions lead to collection of K35.2 million in revenue.
• ZRA turns to drones to fight smuggling activities.
Zambia Revenue Authority has disclosed that it intercepted over 3,344 consignments in 2020 resulting in revenue collection of K35.2 million.
Speaking during a press briefing on the performance of the authority in 2020, ZRA Commissioner General, Kingsley Chanda said this was achieved after the authority employed a combination of strategies and tools to curb customs under –declarations.
‘‘Our frontline workers could not engage the public and taxpayers in the traditional manner due to the COVID-19 pandemic, however, the authority quickly adapted and employed strategies and tools to collect domestic taxes and revenue,’’ he said.
Mr Chanda said that these operations resulted in increased compliance in customs declarations.
The Commissioner General further revealed that ZRA will intensify intelligence and surveillance operations in 2021, in order to disrupt smuggling activities in the country.
‘‘The authority will use drones and digital forensic capabilities which are currently in the Zambia Revenue Authority,’’ he added.
At the same briefing, ZRA announced that it collected K57.7 billion in revenue in 2020, indicating a 17.7% of Gross Domestic product (GDP).