New customs system clogs up Zambian border

Trucks carrying both import and transit cargo are being delayed by up to 10 days at the border following the introduction of a centralised clearing system by the Zambian Revenue Authority. According to the Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA), the Central Processing Centre (CPC) was introduced in April in order to reduce corruption at the border posts. The CPC is intended to provide consistent and standardised application of regulations across all borders in Zambia, regardless of the border one chooses to use, and an opportunity to offer customs services on a 24-hour basis even when some borders have closed, ZRA corporate communications manager Mumbuna Kufekisa said in a statement in April. However, earlier this month (June) the Zambia Shippers' Council (ZSC) issued a statement voicing concern that the system had resulted in delayed clearance of imported goods into the country. It is a based on AsycudaWorld and is reliant on fast and consistent Internet connections between the border posts and the centre in Lusaka. According to clearing agents and truckers interviewed by FTW in Zambia recently, Zambia does not have the required bandwidth and connections between the border posts and the CPC – which results in delays due to downtime. These delays are adding to the cost of road transport into and out of Zambia, according to Shashi Patel, chairman of the Truckers’ Association of Zambia. Trucks can only make a maximum of two trips a month to Beira or Johannesburg due to the delays. Even cargo which carries no VAT or duties is taking up to a week to clear, he says.