Staff Reporter
The Ministry of Industry and Commerce in collaboration with Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA) has extended the administrative transitional arrangement on motor vehicle importation under SI 89 of 2021 up to 30 June 2021 to allow the clearance and processing of outstanding vehicles purchased prior to the gazetting of the instrument.
Previously the administrative period had been set from 22 April 2021 to 31st May 2021.
In a Press Statement yesterday, the Ministry reminded all stakeholders that SI 89 of 2021 requires prior approval for the importation of second hand vehicles above 10 years.
“Following the promulgation of Statutory Instrument 89 of 2021 on the importation of second hand cars that are more than 10 years old, The Ministry of Industry and Commerce, in collaboration with ZIMRA is extending the administrative transitional arrangement up to 30 June 2021. This has been done to allow the clearance and processing of outstanding vehicles purchased prior to the gazetting of SI 89,” reads part of the statement.
The Ministry emphasised that motor vehicles must have been paid for on or before 30 June 2021, proof of payment in line with the RBZ Exchange Rate Control Regulations must be attached and any other supporting documents.
The Ministry urged all clients to contact ZIMRA for clearance purposes and to contact Commissioner General ZIMRA, Commissioner Customs and Exercise or the Ministry of Industry and Commerce whenever they are facing challenges.
In early April 2021 Government introduced the SI 89 of 2021 also known as the Control of Goods (Import and Export) Commerce Amendment Regulation 2021 (Number 9) which banned the importation of second hand motor vehicles which are ten years older from the date of manufacture, in line with global standards for preservation of the environment.
The ban is not only in relation to mitigate environmental pollution, the substandard motor vehicles are believed to be the cause of the increased road carnage in the country and therefore the ban is expected to help reduce accidents.
The move is also expected to promote forex retention as millions of forex is being lost to other countries, especially Japan. The development is also expected to drive demand for locally produced vehicles.
