BURS to snuff out cigarette, alcohol smuggling
Pini Bothoko | Thursday April 27, 2017 14:28
Track and trace systems involve the introduction of technology, including databases and systems to determining the current and past locations of goods on the move. The BURS is already procuring for the initiative and hopes when used in conjunction with the recently introduced sniffer dogs, track and trace systems will squash the illegal importation of cigarettes and alcohol.
BURS General Manager (Customs), Buhalo Mudongo told a University of Botswana lecturer on Tuesday evening that the country was losing millions of pula annually to smuggled alcohol and cigarettes.
He said the country was also witnessing increasing quantities of counterfeit cigarettes and goods making their way illegally across borders.
“Despite measures by the Customs and Excise Division to control inward and outward movement of goods, contraband is still finding its way in and out of the country,” he said.
“Botswana is a net importer of these products and thus has experienced increased smuggling and counterfeiting of these products. The smuggling of authentic goods is costing the Government millions of pula in lost revenue.
“The BURS is in the process of procuring tracking and tracing devices specifically for excisable goods. It will be easier to do the tracking with that.”
Mudongo said the Revenue Service was also procuring and installing more scanners at various ports of entry around the country, including airports, to clamp down on smuggling.
He said efforts were equally ramping up initiatives to enhance the efficiency of customs and trade, which include shortening the time for goods clearance.
Part of these efforts include the new Customs Management System (CMS), introduced on January 1, 2017 under the BURS’ five-year strategic plan.
“As a key initiative, the new CMS will facilitate the management of customs service, including the collection and accounting of customs duties, taxes and levies, national single window, as well as interface with neighbouring countries,” Mudongo said.
He said apart from incorporating international best practices, the applications in the new CMS are also configurable for future expansion.