MRA clearing procedures to facilitate trade
The Malawi Revenue Authority (MRA) says the new procedures for clearing export consignments in bulk are aimed at facilitating trade by reducing the dwelling time at the exit borders.
Of late, the public tax collector has been receiving several requests from exporters to clear their consignments in bulk which is against the general provision that all clearance should be processed per load.
MRA commissioner general John Biziwick said beginning June this year, the clearance of consignments in bulk will follow new procedures.
“[The] exporter shall be required to submit an application to the commissioner, customs and excise [exports], in which he or she has to describe the quantity of the goods and value, mention the intended ports of clearance and exit, indicate duration of time to complete the consignment and manifest of conveyances, including truck registration numbers and container marks and numbers,” he said.
Biziwick said the conveyance list will form part of the attachments and processing fees will be payable for each manifested conveyance.
This also means that the exporter’s clearing agent will be required to submit a return 21 days after the completion of the consignment at the office where the export documents was processed.
He said the new procedures are also aimed at encouraging advance information requirements for clearance of goods to reduce dwelling time at the exit borders.
The Road Transporters Operators Associations could not immediately comment on the efficacy of the new procedures to their business, but a Blantyre-based transporter said this move will drastically reduce the time they spend at exit borders.
“We spend a number of days on the borders, making us to also spend more on other expenses. With these new procedures, the time spent will be reduced; hence, saving a lot of money,” he said.
