Illegal imports targeted LEONARD NEILL SEVENTY BOTTLE stores in Gauteng and Durban have been raided by the SA Revenue Service Anti-Corruption unit during the past two months with more than 2 000 cases of suspect liquor seized. “We are clamping down on this form of llegal import activity in a big way,” SARS spokesperson Tasneem Carrim told FTW. Issuing a warning that a vigorous campaign was being waged against a variety of industries, including tobacco, alcohol, textiles, footwear, sweets, confectionery and cellphones, Carrim said no mercy would be shown to offenders. Cartons of counterfeit cigarettes have been seized and in one instance a Gauteng warehouse was sealed off for further inspection. It is estimated that cigarette smuggling cost SA in the region of R466million between 2002 and 2004 in lost excise and customs duties as well as VAT charges, said Carrim. Confiscated Since April 2005, 18 million cigarettes valued at more than R12million have been confiscated by Customs and anti-smuggling officials. Of particular concern have been incidents of ‘round tripping’ where locally manufactured cigarettes are ‘exported’ but find their way back into the country where they are sold free of taxes and duties. SARS has called on consumers to report outlets and vendors who sell illegal goods. This can be done on the Fraud Hotline - 0800 00 28 70 or at any SARS office, says Carrim
