The Mozambican Tax Authority (AT) seized, a few days ago, four trucks and a container, which contained several brands of beer imported without the tax stamp, whose customs value is over three million meticais.
The seizures were carried out at two different points, specifically at the Ressano Garcia border, Moamba district, and at the port of Maputo, by a customs inspection team.
Speaking to the press, the spokesman for the AT, Fernando Tinga, said the reason for the seizure was that the goods were not sealed, even after the start of the third phase of compulsory sealing of beers and ready-to-drink drinks (RTD).
According to the source, the procedure that follows is to continue with the investigation process at the customs level for subsequent referral to the Public Ministry for the next phases.
Last week, the Mozambique Tax Authority (AT) said that since the mandatory sealing process for alcoholic beverages and manufactured tobacco was introduced in 2017, until the month of September this year, the amount collected rose from 1.4 billion meticais to 2.5 billion meticais, as a result of tax collection on imported and domestic tobacco, spirits and wines.
The general coordinator of the Implementation Unit of the Sealing Project in AT, Miguel Nhane, said during a working visit to the premises of the Cervejas de Moçambique (CDM) and Heineken Moçambique factories, in Marracuene district, Maputo province, as part of the start of the third phase of mandatory sealing of beer and ready-to-drink beverages, that the above balance shows the positive impact of the measure on the national economy and in reducing cases of smuggling.
On the occasion, Miguel Nhane explained that this third phase of sealing marks the beginning of the prohibition of the introduction to consumption of these products without fiscal control seal in the national market.
“This is an action that stems from compliance with Ministerial Order No. 64/2021, of 21 July, which approves the new Regulation on the Sealing of Alcoholic Beverages and Manufactured Tobacco, subject to Excise Duty (ICE),” he said.
