adminZIMRA not only collects Customs Duty, but is responsible for enforcing various controls on both imports and exports on behalf of various responsible Government ministries. Often people have had their consignments detained despite having lodged bills of entry with full duties having been paid. The reason will be failure to produce required permit or licence at the time of importation.
Why require Permits on Importation?
Permits are required by certain Ministries as they form part of their jurisdiction in protecting their clients and interests. For instance you cannot import agricultural products without the knowledge of the Ministry of Agriculture, Mechanisation and Irrigation Development for wide ranging reasons and that they want to monitor whether one is not importing banned GMO products or invasive disease ridden material into the country.
In most cases permits are required to protect the civil society. Say in the case of importation of medicines, the Ministry of Health and Child Care has to ensure that proper unexpired drugs are regularised upon importation; or for radioactive material, the import permit/licence is only granted to professional licenced and registered handlers.
Permits protect local industries, for instance, certain agricultural products require permits so that they are not imported in excess so as to stifle sales of local products.
Permits and licences ensure that there is accountability and maintenance of peace in the country. For example, to import fire arms you need a permit and licence and before you can get that permit your operations have to be regularised and authorised. This saves the country from gun totting infidels importing guns and other fire arms as they wish.
Permits assist other Government departments in raising revenue for their operations and in collecting trade statistics. For instance, the permits issued to oil companies help the Energy and Power Development Ministry in providing economic statistics like how much was imported and this helps regularise the sector.
Why Export Permits are Required?
Upon export, you may be called upon to produce permits as well as part of Customs Cooperation enforcement initiatives, to protect fellow countries and Customs agencies from importing sub-standard and restricted goods.
Export permits are required for goods that are of national interest for example the export of wildlife and hides, as well as minerals.
For wildlife, the export must not be detrimental to the survival of the species of wild life concerned; or in the case of trophies, they must have been obtained without contravention of existing pieces of legislation.
In the case of minerals, permits are needed to plug revenue leakages through black market trade.
Export permits also help in tabulating export statistics and help the country project or analyse economic performance.
Where does one get the permit?
Permits are issued by different ministries under which your importation lies. In the case of the importation of wild life, the permit would be issued by the Director of National Parks and Wild Life Management. There are instances where a single permit will not suffice. So one would need several permits for a single import. This is usually the case when importing fuel where one would need a permit from the Minister of Industry and Commerce, as well as from the Environmental Management Agency (EMA). A fee is also charged for one to obtain a permit.
Do all Imports require Permits?
Fortunately not all imports require permits. For some, what is known as an Open General Licence will authorize the import into Zimbabwe of any good or class of goods specified in that notice (SI 287 of 1975), subject to the provisions of any other law.
What about Licences?
Some goods not only require permits but also require licences before they are imported or exported.
With a permit or licence can I import anything?
Unfortunately or fortunately no! There are certain importations that are out rightly prohibited for instance the importation of flick knives, flick guns or pornographic materials.
Are licences and permits transferrable?
According to the law a permit or licence shall not be transferrable, and any purported transfer of a licence or permit shall be invalid.
Are there penalties for flouting Customs controls?
An offence in this regard may lead to payment of a fine or imprisonment and or results in the forfeiture of the goods to the State.
Where do I get Information on Controlled/Un-controlled Imports and Exports?
Principal Legislation Customs and Excise Act Chapter 23:02.
Visit ZIMRA Offices country wide with your enquiries.
Consult registered Customs Agents.
Visit Printflow or reputable bookshops for the Statutory Instruments drawn up to control various Imports and Exports.
Visit various Government departments which deal with your line of business.
To contact ZIMRA:
Visit our website: www. zimra.co.zw
Follow us on Twitter: @Zimra_11
Like us on Facebook : www.facebook.com/ZIMRA.11
Send us an e-mail: [email protected]
Call us (Head Office) :04 –758891/5; 790813; 790814; 781345; 751624; 752731;
Online Reporter