News / National
Zimra impounds over 100 luxury vehicles illicitly imported into Zimbabwe
12 Dec 2023 at 05:50hrs | Views
The Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA) has seized over 100 high-end and luxury vehicles that were illegally brought into the country. Currently, the tax authority is executing a nationwide operation targeting vehicles that were undervalued at entry ports and those suspected of lacking proper temporary import permits. These unlawful practices lead to substantial losses in potential revenue for the tax authority annually.
In the course of the operation, 118 vehicles were intercepted for various offenses in Bulawayo and Harare. The collaborative enforcement effort is focused on violations including temporary import permit infringements, undervaluation of motor vehicles, fraud related to immigrant rebates, fraud involving the suspension of duty on immigrants' motor vehicles, and deceitful manipulation of the year of manufacture to evade licensing requirements. ZIMRA is resolute in addressing all Customs and Excise Act violations concerning vehicles.
Mr. Francis Chimanda, ZIMRA's head of corporate communications, underscored that this operation sends a strong warning to individuals engaging in fraudulent practices at entry ports. Chimanda stated to The Sunday Mail:
"Currently, we are utilizing roadblocks and patrols in a joint operation with other law enforcement agencies.
"We are doing post-clearance verifications in the Automated System for Customs Data.
"We are also improving the presence of enforcement officers on the ground to enhance compliance, penalising offenders and collaborating with security agencies like the Zimbabwe National Roads Administration and Central Vehicle Registry."
The tax authority is set to escalate efforts in identifying and penalizing entities and individuals involved in undervaluing vehicles. To enhance compliance, they are using roadblocks, patrols, and post-clearance verifications, collaborating with other law enforcement and security agencies.
ZIMRA aims to restore confidence in the country's revenue collection system and foster a fair and just economic environment by impounding vehicles and imposing fines on offenders. The accurate customs duty and taxes owed will be determined through a thorough assessment and valuation of impounded vehicles. Tax expert Mr. Tafadzwa Chingoma suggests that this crackdown not only seeks to recover lost revenue but also serves as a deterrent for future undervaluation attempts and promotes a culture of compliance within the importation process.
In the course of the operation, 118 vehicles were intercepted for various offenses in Bulawayo and Harare. The collaborative enforcement effort is focused on violations including temporary import permit infringements, undervaluation of motor vehicles, fraud related to immigrant rebates, fraud involving the suspension of duty on immigrants' motor vehicles, and deceitful manipulation of the year of manufacture to evade licensing requirements. ZIMRA is resolute in addressing all Customs and Excise Act violations concerning vehicles.
Mr. Francis Chimanda, ZIMRA's head of corporate communications, underscored that this operation sends a strong warning to individuals engaging in fraudulent practices at entry ports. Chimanda stated to The Sunday Mail:
"Currently, we are utilizing roadblocks and patrols in a joint operation with other law enforcement agencies.
"We are doing post-clearance verifications in the Automated System for Customs Data.
"We are also improving the presence of enforcement officers on the ground to enhance compliance, penalising offenders and collaborating with security agencies like the Zimbabwe National Roads Administration and Central Vehicle Registry."
The tax authority is set to escalate efforts in identifying and penalizing entities and individuals involved in undervaluing vehicles. To enhance compliance, they are using roadblocks, patrols, and post-clearance verifications, collaborating with other law enforcement and security agencies.
ZIMRA aims to restore confidence in the country's revenue collection system and foster a fair and just economic environment by impounding vehicles and imposing fines on offenders. The accurate customs duty and taxes owed will be determined through a thorough assessment and valuation of impounded vehicles. Tax expert Mr. Tafadzwa Chingoma suggests that this crackdown not only seeks to recover lost revenue but also serves as a deterrent for future undervaluation attempts and promotes a culture of compliance within the importation process.
Source - pindula
