‘6 000 cars imported through Beitbridge’

Thupeyo Muleya Beitbridge Bureau
The Zimbabwe Revenue Authority says it has handled a total of 5 978 imports of second hand vehicles from Japan through Beitbridge Border post between January and March this year. Zimra’s director of legal and corporate affairs Ms Florence Jambwa confirmed the developments last year. “A total of 5 978 vehicles were imported through Beitbridge Border Post between the months of January and March 2015.

“Most of these vehicles were imported from Japan and South Africa. Other vehicles were also imported from Singapore and the United Kingdom” she said.

Ms Jambwa said the processing of vehicle imports could take less than one hour depending on the availability of all the requisite documents which include invoice, bill of laden and a bill of entry and export from South Africa among others.

In respect of vehicles being imported from South Africa, an importer needs to produce a Southern African Regional Police Chiefs Co-ordination Organisation (SARPCCO) clearance certificate, vehicle registration book, invoice and an agreement of sale where the car would have been bought from a private individual.

Last year the Government increased the customs duty on single cab vehicles of a payload more than 800kgs from 20 percent to 40 percent.

Buses with a carrying capacity of 26 passengers and above now pay 40 percent; these were previously being imported duty free and would pay VAT only.

Double cab trucks were reviewed from 40 percent to 60 percent and passenger motor vehicles of engine capacity below 1500cc from 25 percent to 40 percent.

Customs duty for vehicles with engines above 1500cc has not been changed from 86 percent inclusive of VAT and Surtax.

Ms Jambwa also said Zimra had come up with a raft of measures to curb the smuggling of goods at Beitbridge Border Post.

“The quantities of the goods seized are available per each detention notice but cannot be tabulated due to the numerous types of goods involved.

“Seized items include but are not limited to powdered milk, cooking oil and soap. Goods are mainly seized because of undervaluation, non-declaration and lack of the necessary importation documents such as licences and permits,” said Ms Jambwa.

She said the strategies include client education through various media to encourage compliance, use of non-intrusive scanners, Canine Unit, physical examinations, post-importation audits and border patrols in conjunction with law enforcement agencies.

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