The Kenya Revenue Authority could have been swindled tax revenue amounting to Sh19 Million, if a container with vehicles disguised as household goods could have made its way through the Mombasa port.
On Tuesday, port authorities seized a cargo container that was carrying three Range Rovers, but had been declared as having items including; baby car seats, bed sofas, used personal clothes, beach beds, shoes, women belts, party decoration items and handbags.
According to KRA Commissioner Julius Musyoki, the household items could have attracted less than Sh1 Million in customs duty and related taxes, denying the Authority more than Sh19 Million levied on such top of the range vehicles.
“The interception by The Customs and Border Control Unit was as a result of stricter checks and clearance procedures for all import and export cargo passing through the port as KRA seeks to seal all revenue leakage loopholes,” Mr Musyoki said.
The Commissioner further noted that there was suspicion that the vehicles could have been stolen in the United Kingdom, where the container was shipped from.
Investigations have since been launched after which those involved would be arraigned in court.
According to the Star, the vehicles' chassis numbers are SALWA2KE1EA382383, SALVA2AE6EH935310 and SALGA2KE0EA154055.
