MRA-MBS Ease Import Clearance

As one way of further facilitating free movement of imports at the country’s borders, the Malawi Revenue Authority (MRA) and the Malawi Bureau of Standards (MBS) have merged their systems in order for the two organizations to share and process information declared in the Automated System for Customs Data (ASYCUDA) at once.

The provision allows importers to make a single stop when declaring their goods and pay the revenues due to both MRA and MBS.

Expressing their excitement, clearing agents at Mwanza Border Station welcomed the development saying that it would help them to fast-track movement of goods for their clients thereby reducing backlog of files for their clients’ goods.

“We welcome the development. This is because it will reduce congestion and delays because the system will speed up movement of goods,” Said one of the clearing agents, Mathews Phiri, from Dynamic Freight.

Through ASYCUDA, MRA and MBS will analyze the declaration and compute revenue payable at once. The importer will then be required to pay for the MBS and MRA revenues at once thus allowing for a single window service. 

Prior to the implementation of the new integrated system, MRA conducted intensive civic education with clearing agents and other stakeholders on how they would be expected to operate the joint system.

Following the successful piloting of the system in September 2022 to October 2023, importers and other business people can access and enjoy the system at some designated stations such as Chitipa, Songwe, Dedza, Mwanza, Mchinji, Kamuzu International Airport, Marka Nyathando, Salima and Chileka International Airport.