Tag / Tanzania Revenue Authority

by Mike Poverello

When a Beer is definitely not a Beer!

beerThe Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA) has been blamed for disobeying the decree issued by Kinondoni District Court, which prohibits import and distribution of Windhoek Premium Lager Beer in the country, which does not bear code number MB66.

It is alleged further that the TRA, in total disobedience of the decree in question issued on October 15, 2010, has been allowing and collecting tax from dishonest businessmen and companies who import the beer brand that does not bear the said code number.

A consultant with Mabibo Beer Wine and Spirit Limited told the ‘Sunday News’ that his company was shocked after learning that a certain TRA officer said the Authority does not recognize the decree that was issued by the Kinondoni District Court.

A TRA officer recently informed the police authorities who are investigating Mabibo’s complaints against Land Mark Hotel for disobeying a lawful court order that TRA does not recognise the decree that prohibits any person from importing or selling Windhoek Premium Lager.

According to the court order – failure or refusal by the defendant, its owners, agents, directors, servants and other unknown persons who are directly or indirectly related to the defendant or any other persons, to comply with the prohibition orders shall amount to contempt of the orders of the court.

TRA has been accused of allowing Land Mark Hotel to import Windhoek Premium Lager Beer in violation of the court decree and was only concerned with the collection of taxes and that the Authority was not bound to respect the order of the court. Following the court order, Windhoek Premium Lager Beer which does not bear code Number MB66 became restricted and prohibited goods, save where specific written consent of Mabibo has been sought and obtained. Source: Tanzania Daily News.

 

by Mike Poverello

EAC Traders Encouraged to Grab AEO Business Opportunities

EACThe EAC business community has been asked to take advantage of the Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) scheme that seeks to cut down costs of doing business in the East African member states.

The AEO programme, launched in Dar es Salaam on Wednesday, is an entity involving importers, clearing agents, transport companies authorized to import and move cargo within the EAC region with minimal inspections and other customs interventions at checkpoints.

The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of East African Cooperation Dr Stergomena Tax, launching the World Customs Organisation (WCO)-AEO pilot programme said, “The AEO status can provide companies with significant competitive advantages in terms of supply chain certainty and reduced import costs and finally to the final consumer.”

Apart from reduced transport costs, Dr Tax said the programme would also pull down storage charges because of minimal customs border inspections as well as few checkpoints or road blocks for transit goods.

The Swedish Ambassador to Tanzania Mr Lennarth Hjelmåker said the AEO scheme is a broader compliance strategy to reward compliant traders with simplification benefits which are concrete and predictable.

“Regional integration and cooperation are factors which are important for development, including creation of favourable conditions under which private sector can operate and provide for economic growth with focus on sustainability,” he said.

Sweden, through the Swedish International Development Cooperation (SIDA), has been supporting the work carried out by the WCO-EAC-AEO programme since 2008. Speaking on behalf of the Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA) Commissioner General Mr Saleh Mshoro, the revenues body’s Finance Director said efficiency and effectiveness of customs procedures can significantly boost the nation’s economic competitiveness.

The launching of AEO programme marks the beginning of a journey between the region’s revenues authorities and the business communities in facilitating smooth and win win trading activities. Source: Tanzania Daily News