Fri, 27 Oct 2017 12:47:28 +0000
By Buumba Chimbulu
THE Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) has announced that the on-going enforcement activities will be sustained and not be withdrawn.
ZRA commissioner-general, Kingsley Chanda, said they have information that some importers had parked their trucks in neighbouring countries waiting for the enforcement activities to be withdrawn.
Mr. Chanda emphasised that these enforcement activities were now part of ZRA routine operations going forward.
He also warned that ZRA had enhanced anti-smuggling operations across the country.
“This renewed commitment to fight smuggling is a strong signal and warning to smugglers to rethink and stop their illegal trade. ZRA notes with concern that smuggling has taken a new twist from outright smuggling to under valuations, under declarations and misclassifications,
“Importers must take note that under Circular No.1 issued on 31st March 2017, all items undervalued, under declared and misclassified will be deemed as smuggled,” he said.
Mr. Chanda said the ZRS had stepped-up its enforcement activities to enhance compliance in the import and export business and that all port/ station operations had also been enhanced to ensure compliance at the points of importation or exportation.
He urged all trucks that would be intercepted for routine operations by the enforcement teams to cooperate with the officers.
“These trucks that will have all genuine documentations, correctly classifications and value of goods and taxes will be released within the shortest possible time after verification,” he said.
He had since advised all importers that the route to smuggling was long, rough and risky while the route to compliance was very short, smooth and dignified.
Mr. Chanda also advised all importers to desist from the practice of smuggling and other forms of tax evasion that denied Government of the much needed revenue.
“I will repeat and remind all traders that when we say smuggling does not pay, we mean it. It is very expensive to smuggle than to pay taxes because when we catch you, we impound and forfeit both the goods and the vessels used to smuggle. In addition, you stand a very high chance of prosecution in certain cases”, he said.
