UNDD Ituri: Renforce Lutte Contre Fraude Douanière

• The Union nationale des déclarants en douane (UNDD) of Ituri committed on November 3 in Bunia to combat customs fraud and maximize public revenue.
• UNDD President Senga Kibasonga announced actions against false declarations, which cause significant financial losses for the public treasury.
• Fraudulent practices include misclassifying imported vehicles as other goods to reduce duties, sometimes with complicit agents.
• The UNDD aims to professionalize the sector by creating a national order for customs declarants to address unqualified practitioners.
• The organization called for active involvement from declarants in key locations like Aru, Mahagi, Kasenyi-Tchomia, and Bunia, and enhanced collaboration with the DGDA.

The Union nationale des déclarants en douane of Ituri recently declared its firm intention to intensify efforts against customs fraud, aiming to bolster public revenue generation in collaboration with the Direction générale des douanes et accises.

The Union nationale des déclarants en douane (UNDD) of Ituri recently declared its firm intention to intensify efforts against customs fraud, aiming to bolster public revenue generation in collaboration with the Direction générale des douanes et accises (DGDA). Speaking in Bunia on Tuesday, November 3, the provincial president of the UNDD, Senga Kibasonga Abdoul Karim, outlined a series of measures designed to tackle the pervasive issue of false customs declarations. These deceptive practices are identified as a primary cause of significant financial losses for the public treasury within the region.

Kibasonga highlighted that inaccurate declarations of imported goods, sometimes facilitated by the complicity of corrupt officials, systematically deprive the state of crucial financial resources. He provided concrete examples, noting instances where high-value items like imported vehicles were deliberately misclassified under categories such as vegetable oil or corn to drastically reduce payable duties and taxes. The UNDD's leadership expressed a strong resolve to eradicate these "disorders and blunders" that undermine the integrity of customs operations in Ituri.

The financial implications of these fraudulent customs declarations are substantial, leading to significant revenue shortfalls for the public treasury. These losses directly impact the state's capacity to fund essential services and development initiatives. Beyond the immediate monetary drain, the UNDD's provincial president, Senga Kibasonga, underscored a deeper, systemic issue: the widespread practice of the customs declarants' profession by individuals lacking proper qualifications. This lack of professional oversight is identified as a critical vulnerability, eroding the sector's credibility and impeding the efficient mobilization of public revenues. The organization firmly believes that establishing more stringent criteria for entry into the profession is indispensable for restoring integrity and effectiveness.

In response to these challenges, the UNDD is actively working towards the creation of a national order for customs declarants. This ambitious undertaking aims to formalize and regulate the profession, ensuring that all practitioners adhere to a defined set of standards and ethical guidelines. By imposing greater rigor and structure, the UNDD anticipates a significant reduction in opportunities for fraudulent activities, thereby strengthening the overall customs framework and directly contributing to the maximisation des recettes publiques Ituri. This move is seen as crucial for bringing order to a profession currently plagued by "improvisations."

The UNDD's strategy for combating customs fraud extends to a call for broader participation from its members. Senga Kibasonga specifically urged active customs declarants situated at key border posts and commercial hubs across the province, including Aru, Mahagi, Kasenyi-Tchomia, and Bunia, to join the intensified fight against illicit practices. This collaborative approach is seen as vital for creating a unified front against fraud.

The organization emphasizes that a strengthened partnership between professional declarants and the DGDA is paramount. Such cooperation is expected to foster greater transparency in all customs operations, ultimately reinforcing the sector's contribution to state financing. The Union nationale des déclarants en douane Ituri is thus positioning itself to play a more proactive and significant role in the ongoing UNDD Ituri lutte fraude douanière and in enhancing the collection of public revenues throughout the region.

Lawyers advising clients on import/export operations in Ituri, DRC, should anticipate heightened scrutiny on customs declarations and increased enforcement against fraudulent practices, necessitating thorough due diligence to avoid penalties. Compliance officers must ensure their organizations' customs procedures align with the UNDD's renewed commitment to transparency and accuracy.

Source: Original reporting via local press in Ituri.