The Goods at Customs, Exports & Imports, Traders, and Integrated Tax Administration by Mr S. Shivute

On the Goods at Customs, Exports and Imports, Traders, Integrated Tax Administration by Mr Sam Shivute, Commissioner of the Namibia Revenue Agency.
Sam Shivute, Commissioner of the Namibia Revenue Agency (NamRA), has addressed various aspects of customs, exports, imports, traders, and the Integrated Tax Administration System (ITAS) through official statements, interviews, and public engagements. Key points include a strong focus on compliance, modernisation, and stakeholder collaboration.

• Trade Facilitation and Compliance: NamRA's mandate includes ensuring all imported and exported goods are properly declared, and the correct duties are paid. Shivute has highlighted issues such as undervaluation and misclassification of goods, leading to significant loss of state revenue. The agency aims to enhance trade facilitation by reducing the physical and administrative burden at borders.
• Integrated Tax Administration System (ITAS) and Technology: NamRA uses existing platforms like ITAS for tax administration and ASYCUDA for customs, continuously working to stabilise and upgrade them. The agency is optimising technology to improve efficiency. It has integrated its systems with other government bodies, such as the Business and Intellectual Property Authority (BIPA), to clamp down on "ghost companies" and trade-based money laundering.
• Engagement with Traders: Shivute emphasises a customer-centric approach and has held numerous stakeholder engagement sessions with small business operators (often called "Order With Me" traders) to understand their challenges, such as customs delays and high charges. NamRA plans to regulate all clearing agents and establish a dedicated unit to support these businesses.
• Mandatory Trader Identification Number (TIN): As part of modernisation efforts, NamRA introduced a mandatory TIN for all customs transactions, effective from April 1, 2026. This initiative aligns with global standards and helps monitor compliance and detect irregularities.
• International Standards and Best Practices: NamRA benchmarks itself against international best practices and collaborates with global and continental partners like the World Customs Organisation (WCO), the Africa Tax Administration Forum (ATAF), and the OECD Global Forum on tax transparency