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Thupeyo Muleya Beitbridge Bureau
Zimra has upgraded ICT facilities at the transformed Beitbridge Border Post and deployed more staff so it can deal with the expected surge in traffic for the festive season starting from next week.
Zimra said in a statement yesterday that it was ready to ensure a seamless flow of traffic in and out of the country through the Beitbridge Border Post.
In previous years, the revenue authority’s ICT systems were blamed for long delays in cargo, vehicles and travellers’ movement during major holidays.
This time around, Zimra says it has covered all the key areas and is assuring travellers a memorable experience. The border clears at least 30 000 travellers, 3 000 private cars and 300 buses a day during peak periods.
“As we approach the festive season, Zimra has put in place a number of strategies in place including deploying additional staff numbers by 15 December. All leave days for Beitbridge staff have been suspended to ensure all staff members are at work and beef up the shifts,” said Zimra in the statement.
“Additional laptops and printers have been secured to ensure all possible service counters are adequately manned. A service kiosk manned by ICT personnel will be available to clients to use.
“In addition, computer equipment would also be available to clients to register their electronic temporary import permits (TIP) for those driving foreign vehicles. Clients were however encouraged to do the TIP application process from home before they travel, using the link https://ecustoms.zimra.co.zw/etip/.”
Zimra had a package of free wifi tokens to be available to those requiring these to comply with border clearance processes.
During the festive season, foreign registered vehicles needed a TIP upon entering the country.
This facility could be processed online before a motorist arrives at the border where only compliance checks will be carried out.
Additionally, Zimra is encouraging travellers to use the pre-clearance facility when importing goods to minimise physical checks at the border.
“Our personnel will be clearly visible and will be directing clients to proper counters to avoid them falling prey to touts. A service desk will also be by the entrance of the Pedestrian-Private Motorist Terminal,” said Zimra.
“At the moment traffic flows are steadily increasing. Volumes are currently very high on the commercial vehicles routes as companies rush to deliver consignments for the festive season.
“Light commercial buses and light vehicles are moderate, though the volumes are increasing daily. We expect a huge surge in traffic volumes for private vehicles and buses from 18 December to the morning of the 25th December.”
According to Zimra, to avoid unnecessary delays travellers and motorists should ensure they have all the necessary vehicle documents and invoices for goods they may have purchased.
Travellers could download declaration forms (F47) from the ZIMRA website and declare goods while still at home to ensure they do not leave out any goods.
“Motorists travelling by a private vehicle, should take advantage of ZIMRA eTIP platform (https://ecustoms.zimra.co.zw/etip/) which allows the visitor to make an online application while in their home before embarking on their journey to Zimbabwe. This helps to make the processing of the TIP faster on arrival at the border post,” said the revenue collector.
Travellers should properly declare their goods on import to facilitate quick clearance and avoid inconveniences that arise from incorrect or incomplete declarations.”
Zimra said while at the border, travellers should only seek assistance from authorised border officials in uniform.
“Our travellers are advised that there is no payment for the services rendered and where a payment has been made to any official, the client must insist on getting a payment receipt for the payments made. The following are the e-mail addresses to which queries can be submitted: [email protected], [email protected] and Travellers can also check the website www.zimra.co.zw for more information,” said the authority.
Online Reporter