If you are a driver and plan to smuggle goods in a vehicle, you risk losing your future and vehicle owner’s future, warned the Rwanda Revenue Authority.
The tax body of the nation has implemented severe penalties for goods smugglers in the nation.
The penalties include forfeiting cars engaged in the transport of smuggled products, according to RRA’s declaration released on Thursday.
“Pursuant to the East African Community Customs Management Act (Art 199), all vehicles used to transport smuggled goods will be forfeited with smuggled goods and be auctioned in accordance to relevant laws,” the statement from RRA reads in part.
In addition to that, RRA said, a heavy $5000 fine will be charged to the vehicle driver carrying smuggled goods.
“The driver will be liable to a fine of $5000, and be sued for smuggling (with the owner of goods).”
During the 65th International Customs Day celebrations in the capital Kigali, RRA mentioned a number of prevalent smuggled goods in the nation in January last year.
Amstel beer, Uganda-made soda, motor oil and corn flour were among the listed ones during the celebrations.
At the time, the Rwanda Revenue Authority said the smuggled goods were valued at more than Rwf 156 million, avoiding taxes worth Rwf 139 million.
Recently, a huge crackdown on smuggled liquors was carried out by the Revenue Police Department across the capital, Kigali.
Police also displayed several impounded cars to the press after drivers tried to smuggle products into the nation.
Meanwhile, the EAC Customs Management Act also offers penalties for a master of a ship used for smuggling, apart from the fines paid to a individual in charge of a car used for smuggling products that is responsible to a fine not exceeding $5,000.
According to the Act, he or she is liable for a fine not exceeding $7,000 in the case of the master of a vessel of less than two hundred and fifty tons register.
The act also imposes penalties on the master of a 250 tons or more registered aircraft or vessel, who is liable to a fine of no more than $10,000.
Below is the memo released by the RRA:
