Govt reduces import duty on luxury buses

Government has reduced import duty on luxury buses from 40 to 5% under Statutory Instrument 16 of 2017 which is effective from January 1 this year and is a result of lobbying by the Cross-border and Transporter’s Association (CBTA).

However, only importers registered with the CBTA and approved by the Ministry of Transport stand to benefit from the order. The Statutory Instrument does not specify the carrying capacity of the said buses. The following information should be submitted to the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra) for the suspension of duty; a written authority from the Ministry of Transport indicating the make, model, make, engine number and chassis number of the luxury bus being imported. Also the approved luxury bus importer’s name as approved by the Ministry of Transport and a valid tax clearance certificate and proof of registration in terms of the Revenue Act (Chapter 23:11).

A total of 30 buses shall be eligible for importation or removal from bond by the importers in terms of the new regulations. The buses will be cleared under the tariff codes 8702.101 and 8702.901.