Online Reporter
Ray Bande
Seniors Reporter
INTERMEDIARIES in customs clearance, commonly known as clearing agents, working in collusion with corrupt Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA) officials, are siphoning Government revenue through rampant underhand dealings at the country’s ports of entry and exit, The Manica Post has established.
Ordinarily, clearing agents serve as mediators in trade and finance.
Their role includes managing customs clearance for imports and exports, handling complex documentation, calculating and paying duties, and coordinating logistics such as transport and warehousing to ensure the smooth and compliant movement of goods across borders.
However, an investigation into clearing agencies operating in Mutare—where import and export transactions through Forbes Border Post have surged—revealed that some agents are profiteering from illegal practices.
This newspaper can reveal that clearing agents are deeply involved in fraud and corruption, often in collusion with rogue ZIMRA officials.
This newspaper can reveal that clearing agents are primarily involved in various forms of fraud and corruption, often in collusion with some equally corrupt ZIMRA officials.
Specific instances of misconduct that are rife involving clearing agents in Mutare include fraudulent declarations.
This is occurring when clearing agents manipulate Automated System for Customs Data, ASYCUDAWorld, to under-declare the value, quantity, or type of imported goods to evade full duty and tax payments.
In some instances, agents offer bribes to, or collude with ZIMRA officials to facilitate the clearance of goods using fraudulent documentation or without proper inspection.
Clearing agents have also been active conveyor belts in smuggling and undeclared goods import and export.
In fact, clearing agents are facilitating the entry of goods that are completely undeclared to customs officials, effectively smuggling them across the border.
This newspaper also observed that some clearing agents are misrepresenting facts or produce fake documents to claim ownership or clear consignments illegally.
Unscrupulous clearing agents are also issuing fraudulent invoices that reflect a lower value for goods to be cleared, leading to a reduced duty payment to the revenue authority.
In his response to question emailed by this newspaper, ZIMRA Marketing and Corporate Affairs Executive, Mr Gladman Njanji admitted that they have received complaints and concerns from some businesses regarding the conduct of clearing agents.
“Yes, ZIMRA has received complaints and concerns from some businesses regarding the conduct of a limited number of clearing agents. These concerns are received through established formal channels, including written submissions, stakeholder engagements and interactions at border posts.
“The Authority treats all such complaints with the seriousness they deserve, as they directly relate to trade facilitation, revenue integrity, and public confidence in the customs clearance system,” he said.
Mr Njanji, however, could not shed light on the actual nature of the complaints his organisation has handled.
“The concerns raised relate to varied conduct and are addressed strictly in accordance with the applicable customs and regulatory statutes and with reference to the complainant and the agent involved in strict confidence,” he said.
The ZIMRA Marketing and Corporate Affairs Executive was quick to note that not all clearing agents are involved in these shady deals.
“It is important to emphasise that the majority of licensed clearing agents operate professionally and in full compliance with the law. ZIMRA continues to work collaboratively with compliant practitioners to promote integrity, efficiency, and confidence in the customs clearance process,” he said.
Some key players in the export and import business have called on Government to consider total removal of clearing agents and let ZIMRA handle all transaction to minimise corruption at the country’s ports of entry and exit, but Mr Njanji maintained that clearing agents are a globally and legally recognised part of the customs ecosystem and contribute to employment and economic activity.
“Importers and exporters have a legal right to representation in technical business processes, including customs clearance. Clearing agents play a facilitation role by bridging knowledge and capacity gaps for clients who may not be fully conversant with customs procedures.
“ZIMRA’s statutory role is to assess the accuracy, completeness and truthfulness of declarations submitted by or on behalf of traders. Maintaining this independence is essential to professionalism and avoids conflicts of interest.
“Clearing agents are a globally and legally recognised part of the customs ecosystem and contribute to employment and economic activity. They are thus a critical component of the global supply chain representing the private sector side of international trade facilitation,” said Mr Njanji.
