Online Reporter
Business Reporter
Zimbabwe has removed import duties on waste management, refuse collection and road maintenance equipment imported for or by local authorities.
The tax relief, provided for through Statutory Instrument 150 of 2026 by the Minister of Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion applies retroactively from January 1, 2026.
The new regulations repeal Section 144G of the 2001 Customs and Excise Regulations, expanding duty exemptions to include specialised municipal fleets, road machinery, waste-to-energy components and maintenance spares.
Under the new regulations, tax-free entry covers an itemised list of 178 commodity codes, provided the imports are approved by the Commissioner of the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority in consultation with the Minister.
The duty-free list includes heavy utility machinery such as 30-tonne landfill compactors, 50-tonne low-bed trailers, mobile cranes, front-end loaders, excavators, tractor-loader-backhoes, skip trucks and refuse compactor trucks.
The regulations also covers industrial waste hardware, including hydraulic hose crimping machines, high-pressure washers, industrial air compressors, baling machinery and PET processing equipment.
Municipal collection supplies are also exempt, specifically 85-litre galvanised steel household bins, 240-litre and 1 000-litre wheeled plastic bins and heavy-duty bin liners.
In addition to complete vehicles, the rebate applies to essential operational spares, including hydraulic cylinders, directional valves, conveyor belts, electrical components, filters and commercial vehicle tyres.
The measure aims to lower procurement costs for municipal councils, helping local authorities rebuild depleted service fleets and accelerate road maintenance projects across the country.
