Tax Authority raids Museu market, seizes over 1,000 bottles of alcohol

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Tax Authority raids Museu market, seizes over 1,000 bottles of alcohol

1:15 CAT | 05 Feb 2020

Photo: RM

More than a thousand bottles of alcoholic beverages were seized on Tuesday by the Tax Authority of Mozambique in a “lightning visit” to the Museum market in the centre of Maputo.

The seizures include suspected contraband wines and spirits, and any drink without the necessary tax stamp was removed from the shelves in the three-hour operation.

Tax Authority spokesperson Fernando Tinga said the goal of the operation was to discourage smuggling and enforce the mandatory sealing of alcoholic beverages.

The seizures were not welcomed by venders at the market, who said they were not happy with the authorities’ procedures.

If merchandise is seized, owners can pay fines to regularise the situation and can then request the return of the merchandise within a 25-day window.

However, before they are returned, the products must undergo quality assessment, Inspector Remígio Munguambe of the National Inspectorate of Economic Activities (INAE) pointed out.

Last year, the Tax Authority collected more than 40 million meticais from fines and seizures related to the smuggling of alcoholic beverages in the country.

Source: Rádio Moçambique