Staff Reporter
The Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA) has introduced a Flexible Customs Administration Mechanism to ease the repatriation of Zimbabweans returning home from South Africa, following approval by the Ministry of Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion.
The new measure will simplify customs clearance for returning residents and complements the existing legal framework governing returning Zimbabweans under Section 105 of the Customs and Excise (General) Regulations and Statutory Instrument 10 of 2022.
In a public notice, ZIMRA said the initiative seeks to facilitate the smooth return of citizens amid increasing numbers of Zimbabweans coming back from South Africa.
“The Ministry of Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion has approved the implementation of a Flexible Customs Administration Mechanism to facilitate clearance of the repatriation of Zimbabweans from South Africa,” reads part of the notice.
Under the new arrangement, returning residents will be allowed duty-free clearance of personal effects, including clothing, furniture, kitchen utensils and other household belongings.
The authority also announced a rebate facility for pre-owned business or capital goods, allowing eligible returnees to bring in used business equipment such as computers, furniture, machinery and tools, provided they can prove ownership of both the business and the goods.
In addition, each returning resident may import one motor vehicle under duty suspension, although Value Added Tax (VAT) will remain payable, subject to the conditions stipulated in Statutory Instrument 10 of 2022.
To prevent abuse of the facility, ZIMRA said customs officials will conduct interviews and verify supporting documents to confirm that applicants are genuine returning residents rather than cross-border traders.
The authority will also examine passports and travel records to assess travel frequency and patterns.
“Customs authorities shall conduct thorough interviews and documentary verification to confirm bona fide returning residents and to prevent abuse of the facility by cross-border traders,” the notice states.
The announcement comes as Zimbabwe continues to receive citizens returning from South Africa following growing uncertainty facing some Zimbabwean migrants there. The flexible customs mechanism is expected to ease the resettlement process by reducing the financial burden associated with bringing personal and business property back into the country.
