On 26th January, Mozambique’s Tax Authority announced that it had recovered €81.5 million in unpaid taxes between 2021 and 2025, following intensified action against smuggling and customs fraud. These recoveries stem from the seizure of thousands of items of contraband, as the authorities stepped up their efforts to protect public revenue and combat illicit trade across the country’s borders.
Data from the Mozambican Tax Authority released on Monday, 26th January, shows that €81.5 million (6.174 billion meticais) was recovered through customs controls between 2021 and 2025. Over this period, 4,119 seizures of contraband goods were recorded, highlighting the scale of illicit trade. In 2025 alone, customs revenues reached 99.9 million meticais, accounting for 28% of total tax collections. Authorities attribute this performance to tighter controls, targeted inspections, and improved inter-agency coordination.
Control over products listed under CITES [the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora] led to the seizure of 152 live plant specimens and 796 ivory tusks in 2024 and 2025, reinforcing the protection of endangered species affected by illegal trade.
Aníbal Mbalango, president of the Mozambican Tax Authority
In addition to recovering revenue, customs operations in 2025 also resulted in the seizure of over 7,000 kilograms of precious stones, 49 cubic metres of timber and items protected under international conventions. According to the authorities, these actions form part of broader efforts to combat environmental crimes and the illegal exploitation of natural resources.
In improving the role of customs and in the fight against customs fraud, customs must play its role as regulator. But there is another role that customs must continue to play, which is the educational role of training economic actors in the appropriation of the customs sector, in the appropriation of customs measures. And this comes through banking digitalization which can save customs, not only from wasted time and fraud, but also from the fluidity of customs.
Justin Honoré MONDOMOBE, Expert in business intelligence
Moving forward, the Tax Authority plans to strengthen digital customs systems, expand staff training and improve border infrastructure to enhance efficiency and enforcement. Mozambique’s officials maintain that sustained customs vigilance is essential for boosting state revenues, facilitating legal trade and curbing smuggling.
