The Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) has unearthed another scam were over 8,000 heavy duty vehicles (trucks and earth moving machinery) have been dubiously imported into Zambia.

ZRA corporate and communications manager Topsy Sikalinda says government has lost about 480 Million Kwacha in taxes because these heavy-duty vehicles were imported dubiously using VAT deferred facility for other tax payers.

“In order to encourage growth of the manufacturing sector and industrialisation, the government gives incentives to businesses engaged in manufacturing or industrialisation related sectors by deferring Value Added Tax (VAT) on heavy duty Vehicles for those who qualify for the facility,” Mr Sikalinda said.

He laments that the facility has been abused by both clearing agents and importers who have been dubiously importing these vehicles by making false declarations and abrogating the Customs and Excise Act cap 322 of the laws of Zambia.

“Smuggling of goods through false declarations, transit fraud, misclassifications, under declarations, and under valuations is a serious offence and offenders shall be dealt with in accordance with the law,” He said.

Mr Sikalinda adds that the authority has so far revoked 136 clearing licenses for clearing companies and blocked their Tax Payer Identification numbers (TPINS) on the Asycuda world system.

He says the authority will this week publish the first batch of heavy-duty trucks that were imported dubiously and another list will be published next week.
Mr Sikalinda has since called on the owners of the vehicles to report at the Inspectorate and Customs Enforcement (ICE) unit offices within 14 days.

Mr Sikalinda has since urged all citizens in the country to pay taxes directly to the Zambia Revenue Authority to avoid being swindled by smugglers who pretend to be clearing agents.