Stakeholders applaud MRA for improved border processes

Following the successful piloting of the new and improved clearance procedures at Mchinji Border Station and Lilongwe Inland Examination Centre (IEC), the Malawi Revenue Authority (MRA) has rolled out the new procedures in all border stations across the country with effect from 1^st July 2023.

Speaking during sensitisation meetings conducted with stakeholders on the project at Songwe and Chitipa border stations, the IEC Project Manager, Queen Nkhata, said that the new clearance process has improved Customs services and reduced the time and cost of doing business for businesses more especially importers.

She added that for a very long, the Customs clearance procedures have been cumbersome. This is because a Customs officer would capture a declaration form at the border for transit to Inland stations and get the declaration validated at the IEC. A follow up procedure was to capture another declaration for payment of duty and release of goods.

‘’But with the introduction of the new clearance system, life has been made easy for our clients,’’ hinted Nkhata, adding that the new process has been shortened in such a way that declaration for payment of duty will be done at the border” said Nkhata.

She, therefore, challenged business people in the country to use and adopt the new improved system.

Speaking at the meetings, stakeholders have applauded MRA for introducing the new and improved clearance procedures as it aligned with clearance processes in all border stations thereby reducing cases of border shopping and time run for goods in transit to reach their destination. 

MRA conducted the awareness meetings with various stakeholders that included Joint Border Committee (JBC) members, importers and transporters in Northern region to brief them about the introduction of the new system and enable them make comments and ask questions.

BY THOKOZANI CHIWAYA