ZRA Ordered to Recover Over K3.6 Million from Clearing Company
The Economic and Financial Crimes Court has directed Fonat Freight and Logistics Limited to pay the Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) a total of K3.6 million for offences committed under the Customs and Excise Act.
In a statement issued by Oliver Nzala, Manager of ZRA Corporate Communications, the company was found guilty on three counts: importation without making an entry, false representation, and smuggling.
The court heard that between 1 October 2024 and 12 March 2025, Fonat Freight and Logistics Limited, acting jointly with others yet to be identified, illegally imported and smuggled a wide range of alcoholic beverages into Zambia. The items included whisky, tequila, gin, Johnnie Walker, Jack Daniel’s, J & B, Amarula, Heineken lager, vodka, Clan MacGregor whisky, Nederburg wines, JC Leroux wine, Cîroc, Jose Cuervo spirit, and over 900 loose bottles of assorted beverages.
These illegal activities deprived the Government of Zambia of revenue exceeding K2.3 million, according to ZRA. On 15 January 2026, the company was ordered to pay K3.6 million, covering taxes, penalties, and prosecution costs of K50,000. A fine of K9,600 was also imposed for all three counts, with default punishable by nine months’ imprisonment for the company’s legal representative.
Mr Nzala emphasised that the ZRA remains committed to pursuing tax offenders. He noted that patrols and surveillance have been intensified to combat such illegal activities, adding: “The Authority will continue to apply the law to the maximum to ensure all revenue is recovered.”
