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Beitbridge Bureau
The Zimbabwe Revenue Authority has recorded a seven percent decrease in car imports through Beitbridge border post between September and October in comparison to the same period last year. Official figures from Zimra show that a total of 5772 vehicles were cleared at the Manica Transit Shed last year while 5385 cars imports were processed during the period under review in 2013.
It is understood that the imports through Beitbridge have declined as many importers and car dealers now preferred to use less busy stations such as Plumtree, Kazungula and Chirundu border posts.
Car dealers who spoke to our Beitbridge Correspondent recently said they were opting for less busy stations and avoiding hassles at Beitbridge Border Post where the vehicle clearance system was under constant break down.
Zimra introduced Asycuda plus system for processing vehicles imports in March in a bid to ensure efficiency and reduce regular interface between the customs officers and its clients.
Asycuda (Automated System for Customs Data) is a more efficient and advanced system for Customs data processing since it is Internet based.
Before the introduction of Asycuda, the revenue authority had been relying on a system which is based on the Local Area Network (LAN). The new system is connected to the organisation’s national grid.
However the system has strongly affected the processing of car imports due to intermittent connectivity challenges.
Zimra’s Director of Legal and Corporate affairs Ms Florence Jambwa said yesterday that they were processing an average of 100 vehicle imports per day at Manica Transit Shed.
“At least 2 250 motor vehicles were imported through Manica Transit Shed in September 2012 whereas 3 237 were imported in September this year.
“You will also note that an average 75 vehicles were imported on a single day in September 2012 as compared to an average of 107 motor vehicles imported on a day in the same period under review.
“Furthermore in October 2012, we processed 3 522 motor vehicles imports whilst 2 158 motor vehicles were imported as at 21st October 2013.
“On average 113 vehicles were imported on a single day in October 2012 as compared to an average of 102 motor vehicles imported on a day as at 21st October 2013,”she said.
Ms Jambwa said her organisation had already engaged stakeholders in the financial services sector and was now at the initial stage of setting up the zero-cash office at Manica Transit Shed.
At the moment car importers have to shuttle between the transit shed and the main cash office at the border for customs dutypayments.
She said with the view of improving operations at Beitbridge border post they had set up two Internet links which ensure that Manica Transit Shed is online throughout the operating hours.
“The organisation has been recruiting revenue trainees every year in an effort to address staff shortages and Beitbridge Office has been receiving new staff to alleviate staff shortages.
“Contingency plans in the form of additional staff in the form of what we term ”relief staff’’ to Beitbridge Border Post have been put in place to ensure that the expected inflows of travellers during the festive season are cleared with minimal delays,” said Ms Jambwa.
Online Reporter