FEC calls on DGDA to cancel all STDA-related missions in Haut-Katanga, Lualaba and Tanganyika in the DRC

The question of the Excise Duties Traceability System (STDA) has been the bone of contention for some time between the Federation of Congo Enterprises (FEC) and the Customs and Excise Department (DGDA).

It is in this context that Congolese employers call on the DGDA to cancel all missions relating to the identification, training and registration of industrialists and importers of excise products as well as the installation of STDA machines within production units in the Provinces of Haut-Katanga, Lualaba and Tanganyika.

In a letter addressed to the Director General of the DGDA, on July 12, 2022, the Federation of Congolese Companies (FEC) considers that this collective service order from the General Directorate of Customs and Excise dated April 29, 2022 hinders the proper cooperation between the two parties.

According to the content of this letter, Mrs. Jeanne Blandine Kawanda Walwom mandated customs agents and Track and Trace experts to carry out a mission in Greater Katanga with a view to identifying, training companies and installing the devices of the STDA.

In addition, says the FEC, in a press release signed on July 5, 2022 by the Provincial Director of the DGDA Haut-Katanga for the attention of importers and local producers of excise products, the latter are invited to go to the identification, training and registration at STDA in the cities of Lubumbashi, Likasi, Sakania, Makambu, Kolwezi and Kalemie.

It should be noted that according to information collected by the FEC, DGDA agents who go to certain factories and to importers in Lubumbashi and other towns are accompanied by national police agents to force the installation of the STDA. A situation that the FEC deplores.

The National President of the FEC, Albert Yuma, returned to this burning issue during the General Assembly of the FEC held on July 27, 2022. He castigated the fact that the Government, through the Ministry of Finance and DGDA, is seeking to impose the cost of tax stamps on companies despite the National Assembly’s recommendation to set up the STDA at zero rate, that is to say at the expense of the Public Treasury and not of economic operators for avoid price increases, he stressed.

“The FEC regrets to announce to you that this attitude which does not favor a frank collaboration that we advocate between our two institutions is part of the pattern of deterioration of the very fragile and deleterious business climate in our country. We believe that you would favor a frank and constructive dialogue between the private sector and the Customs administration. “, insists the Congolese employers.

From the above, the FEC reiterates in its correspondence to the General Directorate of Customs and Excise its desire to see the establishment of the STDA take place in a concerted manner while respecting the laws governing the matter.

“We would be grateful if you would ask the provincial services of the DGDA to postpone this mission to allow us to clear up the concerns that have remained unanswered to date on this issue of STDA”, we read in the correspondence of the FEC.

Congolese employers ask their members to remain calm and not give in to any intimidation in various forms that the DGDA services on the ground could show.

The FEC also recalls that the Government of the Republic had decided to abolish the tax sticker during the Council of Ministers of July 8, 2022 which was chaired by the Head of State, Félix-Antoine Tshilombo.

In any case, this decision should consolidate the position of the FEC and relieve local industrialists and importers of excise products concerned by the STDA.