By BUUMBA CHIMBULU
THE Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) has warned that those who have not taken advantage of mini amnesty on dubiously imported motor vehicles will face consequences if they do not get clearance by May 26, this year.
As the deadline approaches, the end date for operation clear your car mini amnesty is coming to an end.
This is according to the ZRA Corporate Communications Manager, Topsy Sikalinda.
My Sikalinda encouraged all affected citizens to visit the nearest customs port in their area to have their vehicle normalised for free, only principal taxes would be paid.
“The Zambia Revenue Authority notes with regret the number of unregistered vehicles and smuggled vehicles on the roads. Recently, the Zambia Revenue Authority swung into action to impound all dubiously imported vehicles into Zambia.
“’During the three hour operation, 74 vehicles were impounded and this raised serious concerns from the Commissioner General of ZRA, Kingsley Chanda,” he said.
Mr Sikalinda stressed that no penalties or interest would be charged, and no other administrative sanctions would be applied.
Therefore, Mr Sikalinda said, anyone driving a vehicle with questionable clearance documents should take advantage of the gesture to normalise their importation.
“This relief will apply from today until the 26th of May, 2021, after which any vehicle with questionable clearance papers will be impounded,” he said. Mr Sikalinda said ZRA was carrying out a comprehensive audit of the Customs system.
This process involves matching the number and details of vehicles imported on the Customs ASYCUD System and the vehicles registered with the Road Transport and Safety Agency
“The audit that has been going on for some time now, has revealed serious discrepancies.
“However, instead of outrightly seizing and forfeiting these vehicles, the Authority has opted to give a grace period and allow the owners to have their vehicles legitimately cleared into the country after paying principal taxes,” Mr Sikalinda said.
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