Govt extends “old” vehicle importers reprieve

Harare, (New Ziana – The government on Wednesday extended by another month, up to the end of June, a reprieve that was given to people who imported light vehicles older than 10 years before April 2 this year to get them into the country without adhering to new stricter rules.

Government banned the import of second hand light vehicles, which include pickup trucks and kombis, older than 10 years effective April 2.

At the beginning of last month, it granted them a breather until the end of May to get the vehicles into the country.

Those who want to buy them are now required to first obtain an import license from the Ministry of Industry and Commerce.

The ban was among others aimed at preventing unnecessary use of foreign currency resources and preventing Zimbabwe from becoming a dumping ground for second hand vehicles, which through wear and tear, will increasingly pollute the environment.

Following the gazetting of Statutory Instrument 89 of 2021, which at law operationalised the ban, there has been confusion on what those who had already paid for their vehicles must do leading to reports of corruption at the borders.

The Ministry of Industry and Commerce said the extension was meant to clear outstanding vehicles.
“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 the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority is extending the administrative transitional arrangement up to June 30, 2021,” the ministry said.

“This has been done to allow clearance and processing of outstanding vehicles purchased prior to the gazetting of SI 89 of 2021.”

To benefit from the arrangement, importers are required to provide proof of payment which is expected to be in conformity with the country’s exchange control regulations as well as any other relevant documentation, Dr Nzenza said.

Already Zimra has reported that the average number of light vehicles coming into the country since the new law came into effect has dropped.
New Ziana