Staff Reporter
HARARE – The Government has introduced a special duty rebate facility allowing Zimbabweans returning from South Africa to bring in personal household goods, business equipment and one motor vehicle under relaxed import conditions as part of measures to support citizens relocating back home.
The facility, announced by the Ministry of Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion, is aimed primarily at holders of the Zimbabwe Exemption Permit (ZEP) who are returning following recent developments in South Africa, including renewed concerns over xenophobic attacks targeting foreign nationals.
In a directive to the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA), Permanent Secretary George Guvamatanga said qualifying returnees would be permitted to import one motor vehicle duty-free under the immigrants’ rebate scheme.
“The facility would cater for only one motor vehicle imported by a Zimbabwe Exemption Permit holder,” Guvamatanga said.
He explained that while customs duty on the vehicle would be suspended, Value Added Tax (VAT) would remain payable. However, ZIMRA has been instructed to apply flexible valuation methods to ensure that VAT charges remain affordable.
Under the arrangement, returnees will not be required to obtain import permits for vehicles that are more than 10 years old. The concession, however, applies only to vehicles purchased before the expiry of the Zimbabwe Exemption Permits on December 31, 2022.
The rebate also covers personal effects, household property and certain commercial equipment used in businesses.
“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,” Guvamatanga said.
He added that all qualifying goods must have been acquired before the expiry of the permits in December 2022.
Authorities have also introduced flexibility regarding arrival dates to ensure that eligible returnees have sufficient time to transport and clear their belongings through Zimbabwean border posts.
Government officials say the measures are designed to ease the reintegration process for returning citizens while protecting them from unnecessary financial burdens associated with relocation.
At the same time, the Ministry of Finance stressed that strict safeguards would be enforced to prevent abuse of the facility.
“This is subject to 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,” Guvamatanga noted.
In the case of motor vehicles, applicants will still be required to satisfy standard immigrant rebate conditions, including proving prior ownership of the vehicle before importation.
The announcement comes as Zimbabwe prepares to receive citizens returning from South Africa, with some reportedly gathering at repatriation centres amid growing uncertainty over their residency status and concerns over anti-immigrant sentiment.
Government says the rebate facility is intended to provide practical support to returnees as they rebuild their lives and livelihoods in Zimbabwe.
