Containers with suspicious imports seized

Finance Minister, Saada Mkuya

Authorities in Dar es Salaam yesterday seized a consignment of six illegally imported containers stuffed with what has been described as suspicious cargo at a bonded warehouse belonging to the Tanzania Road Haulage Limited and Al-Hushoom. 

 

Acting on a tip, Finance Minister Saada Mkuya accompanied by Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA) officials made an impromptu inspection of two Inland Container Depots (ICDs) in Dar es Salaam where she ordered the seizure of the six containers.

 

The minister immediately ordered the suspension of the clearing agents who allegedly colluded in the illegal importation of the containers.

 

In the incident, authorities suspected a total of eight containers but only six were found each lacking appropriate paper work and stocked with items not listed in the declaration forms ranging from electronic appliances like television sets all the way to clothing and food items.The tipoff that led to the impounding of the containers was made possible following an investigation by the Tanzania Customs Integrated System (Tancis) risk management system.

 

“We are glad that the government has impounded the containers, but we are still looking for two more. These containers contain goods that are not listed in the documents submitted to the Tanzania Revenue Authority,” Mkuya said.

 

“Details on the value of the goods found in the containers will be divulged after the investigation is complete,” she added.

 

According to Mkuya, the forgeries were meant to evade duties because the documents that are in the possession of TRA shows that the containers were loaded with gypsum powder which attracts less duties.

 

“The intention was to evade paying custom duties but we are determined to enhance revenue collections,” said the minister.

 

However, she would not immediately divulge the amount of duty the government would have lost if the importers had succeeded to penetrate the goods into the market.

 

Mkuya promised to carry out intensive inspection in all the ICDs to ensure that they carry out their duties as the law requires.

For his part, TRA Director of Taxpayers Services and Education, Richard Kayombo said such a practice is contrary to the law and should never be entertained.

 

He said, the law prohibits mentioning the names of businesses involved in the fraud cases, adding that their names will be made public once they have been arraigned.

 

TRA Commissioner for Customs and Excise Tiagi Kabisi said with the help of Tancis they are now able to curb tax evasion since they can easily trace cargo imported through ‘panya’ routes.

SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN