Zimbabweans returning from South Africa due to renewed xenophobic violence will receive duty-free import concessions.
The government introduced the measure through an immigrants’ rebate. The rebate covers personal belongings, household goods, and one vehicle.
The arrangement was outlined in a letter from Finance Ministry permanent secretary George Guvamatanga to ZIMRA commissioner-general Regina Chinamasa.
Vehicle Imports Covered Under Rebate
Under the scheme, eligible returnees may import one vehicle.
“The facility would cater for only one motor vehicle imported by a Zimbabwe Exemption Permit (ZEP) holder… All motor vehicles would be cleared under suspension of duty, whereby VAT would remain payable… ZIMRA would apply flexible valuation terms to ensure that the VAT payable on the vehicles would be minimal.”
Guvamatanga said vehicles older than 10 years will not require import permits.
However, the exemption only applies to vehicles purchased before the Zimbabwe Exemption Permit expired in December 2022.
Household and Business Property Included
The rebate also extends to personal belongings and certain business-related equipment.
“For personal property and equipment of a commercial nature. Rebate of duty would apply on personal and household property, as well as property of a commercial nature, which presumably the returnees would have been using in their businesses,” reads the letter.
Authorities will only exempt goods bought before 31 December 2022.
“The exempted property would have been purchased prior to the expiry of the ZEPs, that is, prior to 31 December 2022.
“There would be flexibility with respect to time of arrival in order to accord residents who returned by December 2022 ample time to clear their goods.”
Meanwhile, Guvamatanga said safeguards will prevent abuse of the rebate.
“This is subject to the appropriate evaluation in order to limit potential abuse of the facility by non-qualifying returning residents. Furthermore, the facility will not apply to new items.
“In the case of motor vehicles, the returnees are required to meet the conditions that ordinarily apply to immigrants. These include prior ownership of the motor vehicle.”
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