ZRA seizes 66,000 litres of Zambian Breweries Ethanol
By Mast Reporter
THE Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) has seized two trucks carrying 66,000 litres of smuggled ethanol with a revenue loss of K3 million to the government.
The two trucks, which entered Zambia through the Nakonde One Stop Border Post were both declared as carrying 132 packages of Calcium Hypochlorite each.
ZRA Corporate Communications Manager Oliver Nzala said the Calcium did not attract customs duty but subject to 16 percent Import Value-Added Tax (VAT).
Nzala said upon inspection, ZRA officers discovered that the trucks were carrying Ethanol 96.0 percent in 250-liter plastic drums, contrary to the initial declaration.
“The Ethanol was packaged in drums labelled “Extra Neutral Alcohol 96 per cent” with stickers bearing the code UN1170, confirming the commodity was indeed Ethanol,” he said.
He said further verification of the declarations confirmed that the entries were declared with Zambia Breweries PLC as the importer and Transtra International (Z) LTD as the declarant or agent.
“An Alcohol Permit and delivery documents were also discovered, confirming the product as Ethyl Alcohol, with Zambia Breweries Limited listed as the buyer. This misclassification constitutes smuggling, violating Sections 141, 149, and 159 of the Customs and Excise Act CAP 322 of the Laws of Zambia,” he said.
Nzala warned that the Authority would prosecute all parties involved. He said the Authority has since suspended Circle Transtra International (Z) Limited’s TPIN with a possible revocation of its operating license.
“A thorough check on all the 21 declarations processed between 2023 and 2025 by Zambia Breweries and Circle Transtra International (Z) Limited will also be made to ascertain if there was any revenue loss. The two trucks were intercepted between 3rd August and 6th August 2025 along the Great North Road. Taxpayers are encouraged to pay their taxes and remain compliant with tax laws to avoid punitive enforcement measures, including prosecution,” he said.
ZRA is building taxpayers’ trust through facilitation to compliance and endeavours to make the taxpaying experience better through the provision of a courteous and professional service.
