NamRA bemoans under-declaration of import goods
'63% of everything imported is under-declared'
Namibia Revenue Agency head Sam Shivute says the agency is not surprised about false narratives from locals, however "the job has to be done".
The Namibia Revenue Agency's (NamRA) CEO, commissioner Sam Shivute, said he is not surprised by Namibians attacking the agency and creating false narratives.
He, however, added that "the job has to be done".
According to Shivute, the under-declaration of counterfeit goods by young Namibian entrepreneurs - also known as 'order with me' agents - was the main cause for the mass confiscation of goods at Windhoek's Chinatown earlier this year.
Under-declaration takes place across the board, he said, adding that a recent desk study showed that 63% of everything imported is under-declared.
"You will find goods that are brought into the country without being declared and goods that are undervalued. We have a system of tariffs that are used all over the world that states the customs duty to be charged.
"A few months ago, there was a consignment of gin - a container of 20 gin bottles - and each bottle was declared at N$0.20. A fancy two-piece suit was declared at N$7.50," he said.
Zero tolerance
Shivute further defended the agency's actions, saying it is NamRA's responsibility to administer the law.
So, in the case that there is an infringement of the law, goods need to be detained, he added.
The commissioner also refuted allegations that certain businesses selling counterfeit goods are protected because of bribes.
No other institution has exposed corruption as much as they have, he said.
"Corruption is not always tax-related. It's very easy for people to make allegations. That which is good will always be attacked," he said.
Meanwhile, the agency's CEO revealed that NamRA had to retract certain appointments after the realisation that these appointees had criminal backgrounds.
"I am here to report to you that we had to retract these appointments. We have zero tolerance for corruption in NamRA. We work with public money, and trust must be the currency."
He, however, added that "the job has to be done".
According to Shivute, the under-declaration of counterfeit goods by young Namibian entrepreneurs - also known as 'order with me' agents - was the main cause for the mass confiscation of goods at Windhoek's Chinatown earlier this year.
Under-declaration takes place across the board, he said, adding that a recent desk study showed that 63% of everything imported is under-declared.
"You will find goods that are brought into the country without being declared and goods that are undervalued. We have a system of tariffs that are used all over the world that states the customs duty to be charged.
"A few months ago, there was a consignment of gin - a container of 20 gin bottles - and each bottle was declared at N$0.20. A fancy two-piece suit was declared at N$7.50," he said.
Zero tolerance
Shivute further defended the agency's actions, saying it is NamRA's responsibility to administer the law.
So, in the case that there is an infringement of the law, goods need to be detained, he added.
The commissioner also refuted allegations that certain businesses selling counterfeit goods are protected because of bribes.
No other institution has exposed corruption as much as they have, he said.
"Corruption is not always tax-related. It's very easy for people to make allegations. That which is good will always be attacked," he said.
Meanwhile, the agency's CEO revealed that NamRA had to retract certain appointments after the realisation that these appointees had criminal backgrounds.
"I am here to report to you that we had to retract these appointments. We have zero tolerance for corruption in NamRA. We work with public money, and trust must be the currency."
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