• We have a great number of genuine clearing agents and few bad eggs that always want to dent the image of the clearing industry.
• Had ZRA not conducted anti-smuggling operations government would have lost this revenue
• the Authority’s investment in modern technology such as the installation of CCTV and the use of drones is paying dividends

Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) says it has collected K394 million additional revenue from anti-smuggling operations out of which K48 million was collected on Nakonde imports from January to September 2021.

ZRA Corporate and Communications Manger Topsy Sikalinda told Money FM news that the smuggling activities ranged from undervaluations, misclassifications, document falsification, transit fraud and outright smuggling.

Mr. Sikalinda further confirmed that the Authority has also Intercepted 1,406 Trucks in the same period.

He urged clearing agents not to allow smugglers to use their name to stage protests against government revenue mobilization efforts revealing that ZRA is aware from the time it sealed off all smuggling loopholes, some smugglers who want to hide in the name of clearing agents are planning to create anarchy by protesting and disrupting border operations.

“We have a great number of genuine clearing agents and few bad eggs that always want to dent the image of the clearing industry.” said Mr. Sikalinda.

According to him, “had ZRA not conducted anti-smuggling operations government would have lost this revenue.”

Mr. Sikalinda stated that ZRA will not be intimidated by smugglers no matter the threats and malice.

“We ask that people should just make correct declarations and avoid smuggling.” He stated.

He had since pointed out that the authority’s investment in modern technology such as the installation of CCTV and the use of drones is paying dividends.