By Thupeyo Muleya
The Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra) has threatened to seize cross border buses that transport goods banned under statutory instrument number 64 of 2016 into the country.
The instrument tightens screws on imports of basic commodities without licences.
The parastatal has since written to cross-border transporters warning them against carrying goods, which are restricted under the open general import licence.
According to the letter written by Zimra’s Beitbridge region manager, Mr Batsirai Chadzingwa, which is in possession of The Herald, transporters risk losing their vehicles if they are found with the listed items without the proper documents.
“The gazetting of statutory instrument 62 of 2016 removed various products that you ordinarily transport across the border under the open general import licence.
“This means that affected goods listed in the S.I require one to be in possession of the requisite import license before importation is authorised.
“We are appealing to you the transporters not to load any controlled goods for export to Zimbabwe when the owner has not shown you the proof that he/she has the import licence,” said the Zimra in the letter.
The organisation also said the transporters should properly declare the goods on a manifest which would then be surrendered to Zimra officials when they go through the clearance process.
“Please note that your bus/combi/vehicle will be seized in the event that you transport any controlled goods in the absence of the import licence to cover the importation,” said the organisation.
