Zimbabweans Coming Back From South Africa Can Import Vehicles Duty-free
Zimbabweans returning from South Africa after the expiry of the Zimbabwe Exemption Permits (ZEP) have been allowed to import their vehicles free of duty, according to News24. They are, however, still required to pay a VAT of 14.5%.
Normally, duty for a private vehicle in Zimbabwe is 100% of its value, including freight charges, so only paying 14.5% is a significant reprieve.
The car should not be older than 10 years. Anyone bringing a car from South Africa needs to have owned it for at least six months before the expiry of their permit.
Anyone over the age of 16 can bring in a vehicle, according to a notice by the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority. The notice read:
The suspension is granted to individuals, including their spouses and children, who have previously resided or have been employed in Zimbabwe and are returning to Zimbabwe after having resided outside Zimbabwe for a period of not less than two years. The car should be worth R700 000 or less. The owner will also need to “report to the nearest customs office once every year, failure of which full duty waived at the time of importation shall become due and payable”.
There’s no limit to personal property such as furniture and household goods that people can bring back home. These goods, unlike vehicles, aren’t subject to import duty.
Those intending to use the duty-free import facility should present proof that they were working or studying in South Africa.
If the goods are sold within the first two years, then duty becomes due.
The government plans to hire buses to take those who cannot afford to pay for their transport to various parts of Zimbabwe.
