One of only 500 La Ferrari’s ever made could be crushed by SARS
The South African Revenue Services has confirmed that it is possession of one of only hundred La Ferraris ever made, after the supercar was seized illegally trying to enter the country at the Beitbridge border post.
According to Sars spokesperson Sandile Memela, the owner of the vehicle had the requisite papers to leave the country to transfer the car out of the country and into the Democratic Republic of Congo – but upon re-entering the country, the car was detained as the required paperwork was not completed.
“When it was first brought into the country, the owner failed to follow correct import procedures including paying the necessary customs duties and VAT. As a result, the vehicle stayed in a bonded warehouse for three years because the owner could not finalise the required customs processes,” said Memela.
“In February 2017, the vehicle owner submitted an export declaration to take the car to the Democratic Republic of Congo through Beitbridge border post. A day later, there was an attempt to have the vehicle return to South Africa through the same border post.”
While Sars valued the car at over R13.8 million, Ferrari never officially made the La Ferrari available to the public for sale meaning the car’s actual value may be significantly higher.
What will happen to the car?
An anonymous source close to the matter indicated to BusinessTech that, due to current SARS processes, and the fact that the owner was not able to furnish a suitable reason reason for why he did not have the necessary paperwork, the car was likely to be crushed.
BusinessTech reached out to SARS for comment, with the tax body saying that the matter was ongoing, and it could not comment or furnish further details on the status of the vehicle, except to reiterate that the vehicle is in safe custody.
SARS did, however, confirm its procedure for seized goods, in-line with current legislation:
Customs role is both trade facilitation and protection of trade and society. The detention of goods that have been dealt with contrary to the legislation will lead to an investigation which involves giving the importer or owner of goods an opportunity to state their case. This administrative function is in line with Customs legislation and administrative Justice Act.
Should it be established that the goods detained have indeed been dealt with in contravention of the law, penalties are levied and in extreme cases where outright smuggling is established, the goods are forfeited to the state and is subject to disposable in a way the SARS Commissioner sees fit.
The disposal may take a form of auction or destruction, depending on the nature of the goods detained and other trade considerations.
In instances where it is established that crime has been committed such as fraud and/or smuggling, Customs will work with other law enforcement agencies to pursue criminal action against perpetrators.
The key to these activities is to ensure compliance with customs laws and equally to protect local industry against proliferation of illegally imported goods.
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