THE International Cross-Border Traders Association (ICTA) has warned Zimbabweans travelling home for the Christmas and New Year’s holidays to brace for tough temporary vehicle import permit regulations introduced by the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra).
BY KHANYILE MLOTSHWA
The new law, which comes into effect next month, slashes the duration of motor vehicle permits from 12 to three months.
In a statement to migrants’ associations at the weekend, ICTA president, Denis Juru said the changes were in line with provisions of the 2017 national budget announced by Finance minister Patrick Chinamasa early this month.
“It is likely to affect Diasporans, who will drive into the country during the holidays,” he said. “According to the minister, foreign-registered private motor vehicles temporarily imported into the country by visitors and residents living in other countries may be issued with a TIP by Zimra upon entry.
“He (Chinamasa) said, in order to curtail abuse of vehicles imported under TIP privileges, it is proposed to reduce the maximum period under which the (Zimra) commissioner may permit the temporary importation of motor vehicles by visitors and residents living abroad from the current 12 to three months, with effect from January 1, 2017.”
Juru said the minister said he had to introduce the new measures because, “some vehicles, that come into the country, supposedly for a temporary period, ended up being disposed of locally, therefore, affecting the country’s vehicle market.”
Temporary import permits (TIPs) are issued to foreign-registered vehicles upon entry into Zimbabwe.
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Confederation of Zimbabwean Industries (CZI) president, Busisa Moyo, said they welcomed the new measures, as this will help boost the local car market.
According to the law, the TIPs will only be issued to passenger type motor vehicles and goods carriers with a gross vehicle weight not exceeding five tonnes, passenger carrying motor vehicles with a seating capacity not exceeding 15 people. Vehicles with a seating capacity exceeding 15 people would require a Commercial Temporary Import Permit (CTIP) covered by a commercial vehicle guarantee obtainable from a Zimbabwean registered clearing agent with the relevant bond.
Zimra says, no visitor shall sell, offer, or display for sale, lease, hire, lend, pledge or dispose the vehicle in any other manner to any resident in Zimbabwe without prior written authority of the Zimra Commissioner-General and payment of full duty applicable at the time the vehicle was imported into Zimbabwe.
In the event of extended stay of the visitor, the TIP holder is expected to regularise the extension with Zimra upon payment of carbon tax and insurance.
