27/09/2026
๐๐ฉ๐ข๐๐๐๐ข ๐ ๐๐ก๐๐ก๐ ๐๐๐ก๐๐ ๐๐๐ง๐๐ฅ ๐๐ข๐ฃ๐ฃ๐๐ฅ ๐๐ข๐ก๐๐๐ก๐ง๐ฅ๐๐ง๐๐ฆ ๐ช๐๐ฅ๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ฅ๐๐ ๐๐ฆ ๐๐๐ ๐๐ก๐ง
Avocado Mining Limited has been convicted after pleading guilty to 10 counts of attempted smuggling involving copper concentrates valued at more than K23.9 million for duty purposes.
The Kalulushi-based mining company appeared before the Economic and Financial Crimes Court Division of the Kitwe Subordinate Court on September 22, 2026, following an attempt in July 2025 to export 13 consignments of copper concentrates that had allegedly been declared as Portland cement.
The Zambia Revenue Authority says the misdeclaration was made through 13 bills of entry, with the consignments attracting approximately K4 million in export duty.
The company was convicted under the Customs and Excise Act and fined K100,000, with the fine due by September 30, 2026.
ZRA Corporate Communications Manager Oliver Nzala says Avocado Mining has separately paid K5.4 million in assessed duty and penalties and reimbursed the State K1.5 million in prosecution expenses.
The Authority has clarified that those payments are separate from the K100,000 fine imposed by the court.
Meanwhile, ZRA has seized two Toyota Land Cruisers after another customs enforcement operation uncovered suspected misclassification of the vehicles.
The vehicles were intercepted at the Kafue checkpoint on September 18 while being transported in a 40-foot container from the Chirundu One Stop Border Post.
Following a physical inspection at the ZRA Makeni Yard, the Authority determined that the vehicles were brand new despite their declared year-of-manufacture details indicating they were more than two years old.
ZRA says the vehicles had also been incorrectly classified in the customs declaration, resulting in a total tax obligation of more than K2.3 million. Only K192,000 had been paid, leaving a difference of about K2.1 million.
The two vehicles were subsequently seized under the Customs and Excise Act.
ZRA has since warned importers, exporters, transporters and clearing agents against submitting false, incomplete or inaccurate customs declarations, saying such practices affect revenue collection and disadvantage businesses that comply with the law.
The Authority says it will continue using intelligence-led operations, risk-based inspections and post-clearance audits to identify customs offences and will pursue enforcement action, including prosecution, where violations are established.
โข CC-DTV | SEPTEMBER 27TH, 2026 | STAFF REPORTER