Stakeholders News:
How importers evade tax through illegal ports
May 2013
The Tanzania Revenue Authority -- TRA) yesterday issued a strong warning to owners of sea vessels, vehicles and residents living along the Indian Ocean coastline -- against tax evasion done some business who import various types of commodities through the shores.
According to the warning, the coastline through which importation of commodities through clandestine means are smuggled stretch from Dar es Salaam to Bagamoyo. Hot spots identified by the revenue authority as being highly preferred by tax evaders are Kawe, Mbweni, Mlingotini , Ununio, Msasani, Kunduchi and Kigamboni.
Acting TRA Commissioner for the Department of Import tax and excise duty Tiagi Masamaki has said TRA would now wage an unwavering war against such a clandestine business along the stretch as it denies the government its revenue, jeopardizes health of commodity consumers and creates unfair environment for business competition .
The war against tax evaders has come at time when TRA unveils its fourth Five-Year Corporate Plan running from 2013/2014-2017/2018 under which the body is expected to raise its revenue collection from the current Sh9.5 trillion to Shs 18.8 trillion, equivalent to an increase of 98 per cent.
Commodities imported through such points are cooking oil, infant formula milk, especially NIDO , dry cell torch, rice, sugar and cloths. The revenue body now says all vessels and vehicles used in smuggling of commodities would be nationalized after being impounded.
The smuggled consignment, according to Acting Commissioner Masamaki, would not be spared as it would also be nationalized. He has also announced that a generous award would be awarded to any whistleblower who would divulge information to authorities about the illegally imported commodities.
Reports state that traders who import commodities from Tanzania boarders have been ordering vessels, including ships to dock in deep waters in the Indian Ocean in the middle of the night before dispatching boats, dhows and canoes to bring the commodities to the shores where they are loaded onto trucks and pick-ups. The same strategy is normally used by traders in Zanzibar.
Source: The Guardian
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East African countries introduce mandatory clearing certificate
March 2013
All clearing and fowarding agents in Tanzania and other four East African countries will be required to have a newly introduced 'East African Customs Freight Fowarding Practicing Certificate,' which is set to become a mandatory requirement for industry before end of 2013.
Source: Daily News
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DRC to speed up cargo via Dar
March 2013
Dumping of goods in the local market that destined for the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) will soon become something of the past following a decision to open up a custom office in Tanzania that will monitor all cargo transported to that country.
DRC Ambassador in Tanzania, Mr. Juma Mpango, was optimistic that the office would effectively keep an eye on the flow of goods between the two countries.
Source: Daily News
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Firm Set to Tap Africa’s Growth
September 2012.
Sturrock Shipping has announced the opening of new port offices in Tanzania, Mozambique and Ghana, as part of an ongoing strategy to take advantage of the economic growth taking place on the African continent.
The new offices in the ports of Mtwara in Tanzania and Northern Mozambique complement the company's existing presence in Dar es Salaam in Tanzania and in Maputo, Beira and Nacala in Mozambique. Both have been established in order to service the burgeoning gas fields of the Ruvuma basin, on the Mozambique/Tanzania border.
Source: The Citizen
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