The Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) has started the operation to impound all heavy duty vehicles imported dubiously into the country, collecting K3.1 million in unpaid taxes in the process.

In a statement, ZRA corporate communications manager Topsy Sikalinda stated that the Authority had published about 1,000 trucks of which only 430 had responded, hence the need to start impounding the concerned vehicles.

“The Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) has started impounding heavy duty vehicles (Trucks and Earth-Moving Machinery) that were dubiously imported into Zambia through the misapplication of the Value Added Tax (VAT) Deferment Scheme. We have so far published about 1,000 trucks in the press and only 430 have responded, hence the decision to start impounding the trucks. The Authority has already collected K3.1 million from the assessed K13.6 million in principal taxes for the 430 trucks. The operation to impound these vehicles begins today Tuesday 13th, August, 2019,” Sikalinda stated.

He urged owners of the trucks to quickly comply with the ZRA’s notice as failure to do so was unlawful.

“The Authority, therefore, calls upon the owners of the vehicles to report at the Inspectorate and Customs Enforcement (ICE) unit offices immediately to avoid being inconvenienced. All businesses that acquired these heavy duty trucks and earth-moving machinery, but did not pay appropriate taxes, are urged to comply with this call. Smuggling of goods through false declarations, transit fraud, misclassifications, under-declarations, and under-valuations is a serious offence, and offenders will be dealt with in accordance with the law. The Authority further urges all citizens to pay taxes directly to the Zambia Revenue Authority to avoid being swindled by smugglers pretending to be clearing agents,” advised Sikalinda.