Customs Duty Payments 'Vanish' From ZIMRA's System
Thousands of dollars could have been misappropriated at the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA) after a leaked letter reveals that customs duty paid by a Harare-based firm “disappeared” from the Authority’s system.
The ZIMRA Commissioner Customs and Excise, in a letter dated 5 May 2020 and addressed to Customs Excellence Private Limited, said the customs duty payments for vehicles, which the company claimed to have made, did not appear in the taxman’s system.
Below is the letter:
Reference is made to the issues you have been raising concerning confirmation of customs duty payments and the meeting held in my office on the matter.
As I stated in the meeting verifications in our system, which I did in your presence, showed that the customs duty payments and assessments for the vehicles in question do not appear in our system.
I note that you are still of the opinion that the payments were made in fulfilment of your clients’ obligations concerning their motor vehicle importations.
However, as I have stated such clearances and payments are not reflected in our system.
You also requested access to the importation documents for these vehicles, however, since there is no record in our system such documents cannot be availed.
You are therefore urged to ensure that your clients pursue regularizing the clearance of their vehicles in order to get their release.
