adminDid you know that in order to stimulate growth in the tourism industry, the Minister of Finance has introduced a rebate of duty on capital goods imported or taken out of bond for exclusive use in the tourism business? Such goods may come into the country duty free and Value Added Tax (VAT) free in terms of the Customs and Excise (Tourism) (Rebate) Regulations, 2013 published in Statutory Instrument 173 of 2013. This is valid only for a year and takes effect from 1 January 2014 up to 31 December 2014.
Who is eligible?
Any person or organisation that is registered with the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority and the Zimbabwe Council for Tourism for a period of not less than two years and is approved by the Minister of Finance and Economic Development.
Type of goods that qualify
New capital equipment for expansion, modernisation and renovation of hotels and restaurants.
Boat equipment and other goods for the exclusive use in the tourism business by the tourism operator.
Application procedure
Prior to importation or removal from bond of the goods, the tourism operator is required to apply in writing to the Commissioner General of the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA) at the nearest ZIMRA office and submit the following:
A completed Tourism Rebate Form TR1 obtained from the Ministry of Finance;
A complete specification of each model of boat equipment to be imported;
A complete list of refurbishment materials;
A valid tax clearance certificate and proof of registration with ZIMRA
Upon fulfilling the above conditions, a rebate letter will be issued by the Commissioner General of ZIMRA.
How are the goods cleared?
The goods should be cleared at the ZIMRA office nearest to the premises of the tourism operator and should be done through a ZIMRA registered clearing agent. You may get a list of the registered clearing agents online www.zimra.co.zw or from any of the ZIMRA offices countrywide.
The tourism operator is required to submit a declaration signed by him or her stating that the goods so imported are to be used solely in the operator’s business.
Please Note: Goods entered under this rebate should not be disposed of within five years of their importation except with the written permission of the Commissioner General of ZIMRA and payment of the duty originally rebated.
Any contravention of these requirements may result in the seizure of the goods.
NB: Tourism operators are hereby encouraged to take advantage of this concession as it expires on 31st December 2014.
Disclaimer: This article was compiled by the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority for information purposes only. ZIMRA shall not accept responsibility for loss or damage arising from use of material in this article and no liability will attach to the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority.
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;
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