The Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) has intercepted three super- link trucks carrying ethanol at the Kafue check point in Kafue District which were being smuggled into the country from Zimbabwe through the Chirundu border post. Zambia Revenue Authority Corporate Communications…

The Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) has intercepted three super- link trucks carrying ethanol at the Kafue check point in Kafue District which were being smuggled into the country from Zimbabwe through the Chirundu border post.

Zambia Revenue Authority Corporate Communications Manager, Oliver Nzala says the consignment consisted of 478 drums containing 250 litres each, totaling 119,500 litres of ethanol.

In a press statement released to the media in Lusaka, Mr Nzala said the ethanol was earlier declared as paraffin at Chirundu one stop border.

“The Government could have lost K5.8 million in revenue had the discrepancy gone undetected,” he said.

Mr Nzala further explained that the consignment was intercepted by ZRA’s mobile unit officers who questioned the description of the cargo when trucks arrived at the Kafue check point.

He further said the officers noticed a spirit-like odour inconsistent with paraffin.

He said this led to the officers impounding the trucks and escorting them to Makeni Enforcement Center where laboratory tests confirmed that the liquid is ethanol after drawing samples for analysis.

The Corporate Communications Manager has warned importers, clearing agents, transporters and members of the public to desist from facilitating or participating in smuggling.

He added that the description of goods on customs declaration helps determine their tariff classification and the duties and taxes payable.

“Making false declaration about the nature of imported goods is an offence under the Customs and Excise Act, Chapter 322 of the Laws of Zambia and such offences may lead to seizure of goods and prosecution,” he cautioned.

Mr Nzala noted that declaring one product as another to evade duty deprives the Government of revenue and puts the traders who declare their goods correctly at a disadvantage.

He has advised importers and clearing agents to verify that the description on each custom declaration matches the goods and the supporting documents.

He also urged members of the public to report suspected smuggling or false customs declaration to the nearest ZRA office.