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By Abu Whyte Fofanah
The Sierra Leone Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture (SLCCIA) is presently championing the dialogue between the National Revenue Authority (NRA) and the Importers of Sierra Leone.
According to inside sources, of the Public Relations Officer (PRO) Mr Paul, the meeting that took place on Monday 17, 2025 at the Sierra Leone Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture (SLCCIA) on Charlotte Street, Freetown was to see how NRA and the Importers can understand each other in terms of revenue collections.
The PRO noted that, NRA and the importers are two sides of the same coin. He explained that NRA stated the procedure issues that affected the business community and not tax inflation. He maintained, they cautioned NRA to better explain to the importers before any new procedures are taking place for a better understanding.
According to the Importers, the 40 feet container that was paid for at Le 105,000 was raised up to Le 190,000 and Le 200,000 respectively. The importers claimed that the new procedures have affected their businesses presently.
However, the National Revenue Authority (NRA) in the other hand have asked the importers or the Clearing and Forwarding Agents to issue out containers numbers at the Queen Elizabeth 11 Quay and try to amortize the process, so that the Importers could understand the new procedures.
The Sierra Leone Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture (SLCCIA) thanked all the stake holders for their patients and looking forward for an amicably solution to the importers affected problems of tax payment. “Taxes are obligatory to be paid, but tax payment must allow the business to grow so that the said taxes will be paid without hindrance,” the importers emphasize.
Few weeks ago, some importers close down their shops in protest of the new tax procedures. “WE are not familiar with the new taxes procedures and we need to understand the process,” the importers concluded.
