The volume of second-hand vehicle imports coming into the country through the Beitbridge border post has plummeted following the implementation of Statutory Instrument 89 of 2021 on 2 April.
The regulations have made it difficult for one to import pre-owned vehicles whose year of manufacture exceeds 10 years.
In terms of SI 89 of 2021, it is mandatory for those importing vehicles falling under such category to seek authorisation or apply for permits from the Ministry of Industry and Commerce.
Only those shipping in vehicles of commercial nature are exempt from seeking permits.
Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA) spokesperson Francis Chimanda revealed that they were now processing import documents for an average of 22 cars daily at Beitbridge. He said:
Prior to the implementation of Statutory Instrument 89 of 2021 on April 2, we would process import documents for 60 vehicles at Beitbridge per day. That has reduced to an average of 22 cars.
Unfortunately, I cannot disclose the amount of revenue we are getting from vehicle imports since our system does not separate revenue from motor vehicles and that which is received from other goods.