Zimra urges clearing agents and importers to minimise customs errors during border processes

Thupeyo Muleya, Beitbridge Bureau

THE Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra) has urged freight forwarders and importers/exporters to fully comply with border procedures and to avoid clandestine bypasses which are a major hindrance to trade facilitation through the country’s ports of entry.

Zimra’s Technical Services Manager (Valuation Registration and International Liaison), Mrs Rutendo Mapani made the call during the just-ended training for border agencies, freight forwarders and media practitioners on the full implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

The training focused mainly on the AfCFTA’s protocols on border procedures, trade in goods and to annex 1 relating to rules of origin and the one relating to trade remedies.

Mrs Mapani said unnecessary errors were one of the major barriers slowing down trade and the movement of goods and commodities through the borders.

She said freight forwarders, importers and exporters needed to acquaint themselves with the rules and regulations governing international trade to enhance improved service delivery.

“Errors in border procedures and trade facilitation are costly. They lead to increased cargo clearance costs and extended-release times impact the overall business operations, incurring fines due to errors, and worsening delays experienced during the clearance process,” said Mrs Mapani.

“So, I want to implore all of you to border agencies, freight forwarders and businesses to ensure we follow the proper border procedures to avoid such situations.

“It is a very crucial thing in customs to declare everything in possession when entering a customs area. Categories of Imports and Exports include; Private and Commercial, Permanent or temporary (Repair and return, TIP, CTIP etc. Act 124), Transit (RIT) and Removal in Bond (RIB) and other procedures – including Report Orders, ATIP among others).”

The official said importers/exporters and those acting on their behalf should ensure that goods are correctly declared, valued, classified, fall under specified rebates/suspensions/remissions, there is proper origin/preference, designation of payment of duty and the duties are charged in terms of the Tariff Handbook.

Stakeholders from over 22 Government agencies including media practitioners operating at the transformed Beitbridge border post were trained on the latest trade facilitation processes.

The training was carried out by the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra) with the support of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP).