The Customs Department of The Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA) on Wednesday – October 7, 2020, intercepted twenty-seven thousand two hundred eighty (27,280) pieces of assorted cellphones by a business enterprise named “Satinatel-Cell Corporation” (as the consignee) and Baco Clearing & Forwarding (the broker) based on Customs intelligence.
The clearing firm, on behalf of the importer “Satinatel-Cell Corporation”, declared 777 packages in a 1×20-foot container of 1,784 pieces assorted Itel Phones and paid the sum US$3,883.66 to the Government of Liberia based on the description and technical classification of the cell-phones declared. The container was released from the port for physical inspection at the consignee’s premises or a warehouse allegedly owned and operated by Satinatel-Cell Corporation in the Soul Clinic Community, Paynesville.
It was discovered by Customs Anti-Smuggling Team that the importer concealed 573 packages containing (27,280) pieces of assorted cellphones in excess and undeclared and not the 777 packages of 1,784 pieces as declared by the broker and importer. Satinatel-Cell Corporation, is also allegedly the owner of a store at Broad and Center Streets intersession and supplier of cellphones to street sellers in and around Monrovia.
The cell-phone have been placed under dual control by Customs pending payment of the taxes and statutory penalties to the Government of Liberia. The preliminary assessment report estimates the tax obligation for the (27,280) pieces of assorted cellphones at US$35,002.68.
While the Customs Department has commenced an investigation of Satinatel-Cell Corporation, the LRA advises the general public to refrain from any form of fraudulent transactions that have the propensity to undermine Government revenue as drastic actions will be taken against perpetrators in keeping with the law.