Online Reporter
Judith Phiri [email protected]
THE Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra) has assured that clearing agents remain an important part of the customs clearance process and as a revenue authority their objective is to strengthen professionalism and accountability.
This comes customs clearing agents have challenged Zimra’s requirement for at least one company director to hold a practising certificate issued by the Public Accountants and Auditors Board (PAAB), arguing that the qualification is unrelated to their core trade facilitation responsibilities.
The industry, represented by the Freight and Trade Alliance of Zimbabwe (FTAZ) and other clearing agents’ associations, has called for the requirement to be withdrawn, citing concerns over its relevance, financial implications and the potential exclusion of existing operators from the customs clearing business.
The challenge comes after Zimra issued Public Notice No. 48/2026 on August 31, outlining the requirements for the renewal and application of customs clearing agents’ licences for 2027.
Responding to inquiries from this publication, Zimra Marketing and Corporate Affairs Executive, Mr Gladman Njanji said the issues relating to the PAAB requirement are presently the subject of pending proceedings before the High Court.
“Zimra respects the judicial process and considers it inappropriate to comment on matters that are presently before the Court for determination.
“However, ZIMRA remains obliged to discharge its statutory mandate and to administer the licensing and renewal process in accordance with the applicable legal and regulatory framework,” he said.
“Clearing agents remain an important part of the customs clearance process. Zimra’s objective is to strengthen professionalism and accountability while supporting the efficient movement of legitimate trade and protecting revenue and civil society.”
He said there were engagements and consultations prior to and after the publication of Public Notice No. 48 of 2026, with Zimra having met with all seven representative associations of clearing agents to discuss issues relating to the registration and renewal process.
Mr Njanji said these engagements formed part of Zimra’s continued commitment to constructive stakeholder consultation and they remain ongoing.
On the increase of the 2027 license fees for customs clearing agents to US$500, he said: “The US$500 is an amount prescribed by law as a licensing fee applicable to the 2027 licensing cycle. It forms part of the regulatory requirements for the licensing of clearing agents and will be applied in accordance with the applicable legal and administrative framework.”
Mr Njanji said any affected companies or through their representative bodies may make the necessary and required submissions to request for legislative amendments which allow Zimra to vary the amount.
He said the registration and renewal process will be administered in accordance with the applicable legal and regulatory framework, while due regard will be given to the circumstances of individual applications as they arise.
Another requirement on Public Notice No. 48/2026 was for every clearing agent wishing to operate at any of the three border posts (Beitbridge, Chirundu and Forbes) to present a roster and an undertaking that the agent will clear goods at these border posts around the clock.
Mr Njanji said: “The requirement is intended to ensure that services at 24-hour ports of entry are available whenever interventions are required. Zimbabwe is part to a global trading community competing for local and foreign investment.”
“As a result, clearing agents and Zimra both of whom are key intermediaries in trade facilitation need to combine efforts without blaming one another in order to reduce delays and the cost of doing business.”
He said the revenue authority continues to improve its own processes through automation, pre-clearance, use of risk-based processes and other trade-facilitation measures which require support from one another in order not to delay the trading community.
