Zimbabweans React As ZIMRA Say Cars Made Before 1931 Not Banned But Those 10 Years Older Still Restricted

ZIMRA Sparks Debate With 1931 Vintage Car Import Ruling

Zimbabweans have reacted with shock and humour after the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA) clarified that cars manufactured before 1931 can now be imported freely, while vehicles that are ten years older remain banned.

ZIMRA Issues Clarification

In a statement published on 14 August 2025, ZIMRA explained the exemption under Statutory Instrument 45 of 2025, titled Importation of Vintage Motor Vehicles on Open General Licence.

The authority stated:

“Notwithstanding the ban on importation of motor vehicles that are ten years or older from the date of manufacture, vehicles classified as ‘vintage vehicles’ in accordance with the Vehicle Registration and Licensing Act [Chapter 13:14] are exempted from the requirement of import permits.”

According to the law, a vintage vehicle is defined as any car:

“Manufactured before 01 January 1931, or composed mainly of materials manufactured before 01 January 1931, and confirmed by an inspecting officer.”

The new ruling means owners of cars manufactured nearly a century ago can bring them into Zimbabwe without import permits.

Social Media Flooded With Reactions

The announcement sparked immediate online reactions. Many questioned the practicality of the rule and joked about the extreme age limit.

One user, @Mukoma_C, posted:

“1930 kudhara, vintage cars! okay. What about Classic cars? 1960 Shelby Cobra??”

Another, @princeleez, wrote on 15 August:

“Hmmmmmm 1930 varikuiziva hre Amana almost 100 years ago iiiiih”
(Do they even know 1930, almost 100 years ago?)

Others suggested the regulation benefits only a few. @skmoyo1 tweeted:

“Such a narrow definition of vintage vehicle. Unless this SI is for the benefit of someone.”

The disbelief was also clear in comments by @dysonchivasa who simply reacted:

“1931 here amana.”

Humour dominated the conversation. @TalentVga posted:

“1931, panotoda twuma Ford T mobile twune mavhiri anenge ebhasikoro twuya chete.”
(We now need those Ford T mobiles with wheels like bicycles only.)

Another user, @Emnny3, pointed out:

“Hold on, did @Zimra_11 say cars import before 1931? Even Mugabe was not born then ”

Calls For A Wider Definition

Many Zimbabweans argued that the ruling was outdated and called for recognition of vehicles from the 1960s and 1980s as vintage.

@TTMambeu shared:

“They are mad. 1931! A 1980 car is already a vintage. It’s 45 years old for goodness sake. That car should be regarded as vintage!”

Similarly, @dave_ndlovu wrote:

“At least make it 1965.. I mean 1931 is very restrictive.”

Others linked the directive to possible vested interests. @RukaaChivende tweeted:

“Someone high up there who has his car manufactured in 1931 was seeking for an importation.”

While some saw the move as opening loopholes, ZIMRA emphasised that the change was meant to support “cultural diplomacy” and ease cross-border movement of historic vehicles.

The post Zimbabweans React As ZIMRA Say Cars Made Before 1931 Not Banned But Those 10 Years Older Still Restricted appeared first on iHarare News.