Posted on September, 10, 2018 at 10:05 am
SHORTAGES of food items in neighbouring Kenya have triggered the export of commodities through illegal routes by Tanzanian traders owing to a sharp rise in their prices across the border.
There has been a number of commodities such as maize, animal skins and beans, which are being exported to Kenya through Tarakea and Holili routes in Rombo district, as well as Kitobo in Mwanga district in Kilimanjaro region.
Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA) Assistant Regional Customs Manager Godfrey Kitundu made the revelation to Regional Commissioner Anna Mghwira when she was on an inspection tour of the district.
He said there were also products from Kenya entering the country illegally, including kerosene, mobile phones, confectionaries, salt, clothes, cooking oil, cosmetics and narcotics such as khat.
According to him, there were some contradictions in some laws which fuelled illegal trade between the two countries.
Last year, TRA in the region impounded illegally imported goods worth Sh2.9bn, with taxes and fines collected from such contraband goods amounting to Sh758mm.
The TRA official said apart from revenue loss, illegal imports also endangered the health of the public.
For her part, the Kilimanjaro RC said regional authorities would ensure that there was improved security to curb illegal imports and exports as they caused huge loss in government revenue.
Source: IPP Media