The Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) has intercepted 4 trucks carrying assorted body lotions worth over 1.7 million Kwacha.
Authority Corporate Communications Manager Topsy Sikalinda told Money FM News that the consignments were declared at Chanida Border as cleaning materials by using an additional procedure code for Chipata General Hospital, hence enjoying an exemption from taxes.
Mr. Sikalinda said alert ZRA officers intercepted the consignments in Katete, Eastern Province and discovered that the trucks were laden with assorted body lotions contrary to what was declared as cleaning materials for the hospital.
Mr. Sikalinda disclosed that investigations have revealed that this is a pure case of smuggling through False Declaration, False Representation, Misclassifications, Document falsification and abuse of a Taxpayer Identification Number (TPIN) contrary to the customs and excise Act.
“With Covid 19 making revenue collection as a challenge, the Authority is now focused on bridging the revenue gap through Anti-Smuggling, Debt recovery and Audits as part of the strategy.”
“The results are already being recorded because in the last two months, various consignments have been intercepted and seized in line with zero tolerance to smuggling. Among them, 2 trucks of alcoholic beverages one in Chirundu that was declared as onions, another in Lusaka declared as cabinets for Ministry of Education. Two trucks with cooking oil which has already been donated to various government hospitals and charitable organizations,” Mr. Sikalinda said.
And Mr. Sikalinda revealed that ZRA has successfully managed to prosecute a clearing agent of Nakonde who was jailed for various smuggling related offences, adding that more jail sentences are expected because the Authority has resolved to prosecute all offenders in the courts of law.
“The Authority will continue with the fight against smuggling and tax evasion and punishing offenders. When the Commissioner General Mr Kingsley Chanda said that ‘we shall now be seizing the goods and vessels from smugglers’ it was not a joke. This is what was meant and no one shall be spared in this fight against smuggling and tax evasion,” he stated.
Meanwhile, Mr. Sikalinda announced that the Authority is donating about 494, 825 kilograms of seized Mealie meal and maize amounting to K 1.3 million and 24,552 liters of cooking oil worth about K700 thousand to the Disaster Management and Mitigation unit (DMMU) under the Vice President’s Office.
He said all the consignments being donated were intercepted in various parts of the country for smuggling related activities, further expressing hope that smugglers will now seriously desist from this vice that has potential to weaken the Zambian economy.
“To further demonstrate our seriousness, allow me to announce that the Authority is today donating about 494, 825 kg various consignments of seized Mealie meal and maize amounting K 1.3 million kwacha and 24,552 liters of cooking oil worth about 700 thousand Kwacha to the Disaster Management and Mitigation unit under the Vice President’s Office.”
“This is all being done in line with the provisions of the customs and excise Act Cap 322 of the laws of Zambia which empowers the Commissioner General to donate items to government or deserving charitable organizations in line with the provisions,” Mr. Sikalinda added.