ZRA Intercepts 9 Trucks Smuggled Through Victoria Falls Border Post

THE Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) has intercepted nine trucks smuggled through Victoria Falls border post in Livingstone for suspected conspiracy to defraud the State tax revenue.

ZRA Corporate Communications Manager Topsy Sikalinda said the goods were declared as generator sets which do not attract any duty when in fact the goods were assorted wooden furniture which attract up to 40 percent duty.

Mr Sikalinda said Government would have lost over K2.5 million in taxes had this scheme not been detected by alert customs officers adding that this is not the first time the said company has engaged itself in smuggling of goods.

He said the authority has also suspended the license for the clearing agent and recommended for complete revocation of the license.

“The goods were declared as Generator sets which do not attract any duty when in fact these goods were assorted wooden furniture which attract up to 40 percent duty.

Details are that documents for four trucks were presented to customs officers with a forged inspection report. The alert officers then wondered how an inspection report was done and signed before the trucks arrived at the entry point of the Zambian side at Victoria Falls border point,” he said.

Meanwhile, Mr. Sikalinda said a group calling itself Victoria Falls border clearing agents association is not registered or licensed by the ZRA.

Mr Sikalinda said this is a scheme by smugglers who he says are in a habit of pretending to be clearing agents when their goods are intercepted.

“We shall not allow a situation where smugglers want to mascaraed as clearing associations. This is why these smugglers are calling for the removal of the SI that goes into effect on 1st March 2021 restricting cargo beyond 16 tons to use the road at the border post.  There will be no job losses or any negative impact with this measure but only positives because all clearance of goods is done online. An agent can clear goods at any Zambian Border from anywhere in the world. The measure will reduce smuggling cases, reduce the human animal conflict in Livingstone which is the tourist capital,” he said.

This article originally appeared on Mwebantu