The Guyana Revenue Authority is working with its counterparts in Suriname to deal with the high incidence of smuggling of goods from that country into Guyana and they are exchanging information on matters of mutual interest.
And they are currently engaging in a number of meetings to foster a better work relationship.
The GRA said last Friday in a press release that it is deeply concerned about the high incidence of smuggling of tobacco products, alcoholic beverages and other goods from neighbouring Suriname into Guyana.
According to the release, smugglers have been evading payment of customs duties, Value Added Tax (VAT) and excise tax on imported goods as well as the payment of income taxes.
GRA commended those importers who are complying with the tax laws but pointed out that the smugglers are taking an unfair competitive advantage over such importers.
There has been an upsurge in smuggled tobacco products and alcohol beverages originating from Suriname which has serious revenue implications and can impact negatively on regular imports.
Meanwhile, the GRA has taken several initiatives in an effort to curb the smuggling of goods across the Guyana/Suriname border, including the establishment of a Law Enforcement and Investigation Division, and an Intelligence and Risk Management Division.
However, in order for the work of the division to be successful there needs to be more bilateral cooperation to address the issue of smuggling.
The Law Enforcement and Investigation Division have been making strides in relation to the interception of illegally imported tobacco and alcoholic beverages. On June 30, 34 bales of cigarettes were intercepted in Georgetown and a container of counterfeit cigarettes with a market value of over $4 million is currently being tracked.
Customs checkpoint
To further boost its operations in the Region Six area, the organization has established a Customs checkpoint at Crab Island to inspect vehicles suspected of transporting uncustomed goods
from Suriname to determine if the goods were declared and the applicable duties paid.
Vehicles found to be transporting uncustomed goods will be detained and those persons in possession of such goods will be apprehended and dealt with according to law, which includes fines up to three times the cost of the goods, the release stated.
However, while the organization has its plans and strategies in place, the support of the private sector as well as members of the public cannot be dispensed with. Persons including businesses need to act by sharing their knowledge of any illegal practice to evade taxes through smuggling with the GRA, the release said.
Persons may choose their own method of providing information but the GRA has provided the public with the additional option of its Intelligence Hotline Telephone Number: 225-6687.
