The Malawi Revenue Authority (MRA) is intensifying efforts to curb the rampant smuggling of goods into the country by introducing tax stamps and utilising drones.
This announcement was made during a Parliamentary tour of uncharted routes used by notorious smugglers in Mchinji. These smugglers use the routes to evade taxes on goods they buy and sell in Zambia, Mozambique, and Malawi.
Steven Kapoloma, Head of Corporate Affairs at MRA, highlighted significant revenue losses due to smuggling, noting that over K3 billion was recovered from smuggled goods last year alone.
“Smuggling punishes law-abiding importers who cannot compete with the artificially low prices set by smugglers,” Kapoloma said.
Kapoloma also pointed out the involvement of some authorities and MRA employees in aiding smugglers, further complicating MRA’s efforts to combat the vice.
According to Kapoloma, to tackle the challenge, MRA is set to introduce tax stamps for all imported goods and utilise drones to monitor and intercept smuggling activities both day and night.
Salim Bagus, Chairperson of the Parliamentary Committee on Defence, lauded MRA’s efforts but emphasised the urgent need to address the severe smuggling issue.
He announced plans to convene a meeting with key stakeholders, including MRA, the Malawi Police, and the Malawi Defence Force, to develop more effective strategies against smuggling, saying it has been proved beyond reasonable doubt that the vice is retrogressive to the country’s development.
