The Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA) says it is helping Zimbabweans affected by anti-migrant protests in South Africa to bring their household goods and work tools home duty-free.
ZIMRA’s private imports manager at Beitbridge, Tawanda Muchena, said a flexible customs system had been put in place to support returnees.
Speaking on Monday during a verification visit to the border by the Joint Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Defence, Home Affairs and Security Services, he said:
“We have been fully implementing a flexible customs regime as directed by government to ensure returnees coming from South Africa at the height of anti-migrant protests are assisted.
“We have created an express lane where they arrive through the bus terminal and compliance checks are done at the reception and support centre.”
Muchena said statutory fees for buses and trucks carrying returnees’ goods had been waived to ensure a smooth flow of cargo.
He said the ZimBorders Consortium has also waived border user fees for vehicles carrying such goods.
“We coordinate with the consulate; they write a letter with a manifest of goods and owners. We have not had challenges,” he said.
On vehicles, he said a returnee must have been outside the country for at least two years, and must have owned the vehicle for at least six months before returning. This must be shown in the vehicle registration book.
Muchen said ZIMRA had also been clearing business equipment brought back by returnees, including welding machines, heavy industrial sewing machines and building tools. Commercial vehicles brought in under the returning residents facility should not exceed five tonnes.
“ZIMRA is open to assist returnees in line with the government directive,” Muchena said.
More: The Herald
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