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Thupeyo Muleya Beitbridge Bureau
THE Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra) has said it handled 38,341 imported second hand vehicles from Japan through Beitbridge border post between January and December last year. It is understood that the tax authority handles around 100 car imports at Manica Transit shed at Beitbridge border post per day.
Zimra’s director of legal and corporate affairs, Florence Jambwa said:
“For the year 2013, a total of 38,341 motor vehicles imported while a total of 7,670 vehicle imports were processed through Beitbridge border post between January and February this year,” she said.
Jambwa said the rates for excise duty on vehicle imports were dependent on the engine capacity and year of manufacture.
“These range from 25 percent customs duty for vehicles with an engine capacity of 1,500cc and below to 40 percent customs duty for those with an engine capacity higher than 1,500cc. Value added tax is charged at 15 percent while surtax of 25 percent is charged on those vehicles that are more than five years old from the date of manufacture,” she said.
However, car imports through Beitbridge border post have started dwindling as many dealers now prefer to use less busy border posts such as Plumtree, Chirundu and Kazungula.
Investigations have revealed that some South African car dealers have started reducing prices of pre-owned vehicles mainly from Japan, Singapore and the United Kingdom at Beitbridge Border Post as they battle to clear huge stocks which have been necessitated by low business in the last four months.
Major dealers have from November last year reduced prices of old stock to create space for new deliveries from Durban.
Online Reporter