Andrew
Online Reporter
GOVERNMENT has suspended import duty on public service buses, with registered operators allowed to import more than 20 coaches per year.
Only public bus operators registered in terms of the Road Motor Transportation Act qualify for the facility.
The measures were announced in an Extraordinary Government Gazette – Statutory Instrument (SI) 138 of 2022 – on Tuesday.
“Customs duty shall be suspended on importation of public service buses imported by approved importers in terms of this Section at a customs duty rate of zero per centum,” reads part of the SI.
“An approved importer shall be allowed to import not more than twenty (20) public service buses in any 12-month period beginning July 1, 2022.”
Due diligence will be taken before licensed operators are exempted from paying duty, with the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development Permanent Secretary dealing with applications on a case-by-case basis.
The move is expected to provide safe and affordable transport for the public.
derick.khumalo