By JACK MWEWA –
CLEARING Agents at Nakonde border post in Muchinga Province have complained over the recently increased customs duty from 25 to 30 per cent and surcharge penalty on imported vehicles below 2006 models.
The agents said with the weaker local currency against the American dollar, vehicle clearance had become exorbitant for local importers.
Gibson Mwanamuke, a clearing agent, who spoke on behalf of other agents operating from Nakonde border, gave an example of a Toyota Corolla imported for an equivalent of K9,000, yet ZRA slapped a K21,000 duty.
ZRA corporate communications manager Mumbuna Kufekisa, who was contacted for a comment, said ZRA could not redress the status as they were merely implementers of Ministry of Finance directives.
“What clearing agents ought to know is that ZRA does not come up with its own taxes, we are merely implementers of directives from the Ministry of Finance,” Mr Kufekisa said.
