dyton mupawaenda
The Zimbabwe Revenue Authority yesterday urged importers of vehicles to be mindful of pre-clearance procedures of all vehicles .
Under the facility, customs import procedures are completed before the traveller or vehicle import arrives at the selected port of entry.
Upon arrival, the goods are only checked for conformity and this reduces the time spent by importers at the country’s borders.
This is opposed to a system where the processing of customs documents is done by a traveller or importer upon reaching the port of entry.
In a statement yesterday, emphasising the need for importers to be privy to the requirements, as not following the regulations could attract a penalty fine of US$400.
“All importers and agents acting on behalf of such importers are reminded that private vehicles imported by road into Zimbabwe must be pre-cleared before their arrival into the country. This is not a new requirement as it came into effect on 1 November 2020.
“The authority has noted a decline in observing this requirement and this notice is a reminder of statutory requirements that are already in place.
“All privately imported motor vehicles driven or transported by car carriers must be pre-cleared before they are dispatched to Zimbabwe. Pre-clearance refers to the lodgement of import documents to ZIMRA for import controls, duty assessment/clearance and the subsequent payment of duties due (if any) upon receipt of an assessment prior to the arrival of the vehicle in Zimbabwe,” reads part of the notice.
While outlining some of the procedures and documents required, Zimra said only vehicles that have gone through the necessary procedures would be permitted to enter the country.
“Importers or their agents should submit scanned copies of invoices, bills of lading, export documents, proof of payment for the purchase of the imported vehicle, freight statements, copy of passport of the importer, police clearance, letter of rebate (where applicable) and any other relevant documents relating to importation online to enable officers to calculate and advise them of the custom duty payable prior to arrival of the vehicle.
“Where duties are exempt because of non-duty paying regimes such as rebate, necessary processes will be duly completed and importer advised accordingly.
“Motor vehicles should only be loaded onto carriers for dispatch to Zimbabwe or driven into Zimbabwe only when the relevant processes have been completed, including the payment of duties, where applicable. Clearance details must be sent to the carrier to enable them to load vehicles for dispatch,” said Zimra.
Carriers and transporters, had since been made aware of the requirements, said Zimra.
“Please take note that carriers/transporters have also been notified of this requirement to enable them to play their part in compliance with this requirement.
“For private vehicles coming through Dar es salaam, Tanzania and transiting to Zimbabwe through Zambia, pre-clearance shall only be affected when the vehicle has arrived at the port of Dar es Salaam.
“The importer/representative to attach as evidence, a copy of the Zambian registered transit bill of entry to their set of import documents,” Zimra said.
“Please take note that the failure to pre-clear your vehicle(s) as required by law attracts a penalty of USD400 or its equivalent in ZWL.”
All of the imported vehicles shall be subjected to compliance checks for control purposes and may also be subjected to value to value verifications/valuation before the Customs Clearance Certificate is processed and issued.
In addition any false declarations or provisions of false information on documents related to these importations may lead to seizure of the vehicle and other punitive measures, including possible prosecution of the offenders.
Online Reporter