Govt Suspends Restrictions On Importing Goods, Says You Can Import If You Have Free Funds (Updated)

The government has suspended Statutory Instrument 122 of 2017 until the economic situation in the country returns to normal. This means that citizens who have access to “free funds” will be able to import a wide range of products into the country without restriction. The government made the decision to lift the restrictions on the importation of basic commodities after noting the price increases and persistent shortages of basic goods, particularly cooking oil and sugar. The decision was announced at a post-cabinet briefing which was attended by Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube, Information Minister Monica Mutsvangwa, Attorney General Prince Machaya, Acting Minister of Industry Sekai Nzenza and Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet Misheck Sibanda.

Ncube made it clear that while people will no longer need licences to import the basics they will still need to pay duty to Zimra. However, Ncube stressed that this was a temporary measure. Speaking at the briefing, Mutsvangwa said