MRA ROLLS OUT AWARENESS ON KABAZA REDUCED CUSTOMS RATES

The Malawi Revenue Authority (MRA) has embarked on a nationwide awareness campaign to sensitize Kabaza motorcycle operators on the ongoing special Customs clearance moratorium that allows them to clear their motorcycles on reduced rates.

The motorcycles that are allowed under this facility are those that were imported before 17^th February 2025 in line with a Public Transport Motorcycles, Regulations, 2025 of 17^th February 2025.

The exercise commenced on 10^th March 2025 in Blantyre, Lilongwe and Mzuzu and will run until 30^th June 2025, the period during which all Kabaza owners who imported their motorcycles without Customs clearance are expected to properly clear such motor vehicles. As one of the awareness initiatives, MRA is going to Kabaza taxi ranks to conduct meetings operators to enable them grasp the messages and ask question.

Speaking at Mitundu trading centre motorcycle tax rank in Lilongwe, Thokozani Chiwaya, Manager Taxpayer Education for the North & Centre, encouraged Kabaza operators to take full advantage of the initiative.

“This is a golden opportunity for you to clear your motorcycles at very affordable rates,’’ said Chiwaya, adding that Kabaza operators would not be required to pay extra costs like processing fees or hiring Customs Clearing Agents.

She added that all what it takes to clear motorcycles was for the Kabaza owner to come to MRA Customs offices together with their National Identity cards and a Road Traffic Registration Number (TRN) issued by the Director of Road Traffic and Safety Services (DRTSS).

‘’After that, MRA will clear your motorcycle and issue you with a Customs Clearance Certificate (CCC) that will enable you to link up with the Police and DRTSS to have your motorcycle registered,’’ she appealed.

In response, the Chairperson of Kabaza in the area, Sydney Grant, commended the Government for coming up with the Regulations that will enable Kabaza operators to clear their motorcycles on low rates of duty.

“We are very thankful to MRA for this initiative. Many of our members have been struggling to formalize the clearance of their motorcycles due to high rates and I will make sure that all my members in this area clear their motorcycles before 30^th June 2025.

The special clearance allows Kabaza operators to clear motorcycles based on the size of the engine like 0 - 50cc at K56,000, 51-100cc at K56, 000 and 101- 250cc at K77,000, using various tariff subheading.

BY JACK VILLA CHIMUTU