Zimbabwe introduces 40% import duty on footwear
The Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra) has introduced 40% import duty on footwear, blankets, refrigerators and stoves.
The products were previously included in the traveller’s rebate where a person was allowed to bring in products duty-free once in a calendar month.
Zimra said: “Travellers who wish to import footwear, blankets, refrigerators and stoves will continue to benefit from the reduced rates that were implement with effect from January 1 2011.”
But hundreds of travellers were caught unawares by the changes and were reportedly forced to leave their goods at border posts because they could not raise money to pay duty.
Bus crews and taxis at Harare’s Roadport said the move had hit their business hard as people were no longer bringing goods from South Africa and Botswana.
A Zimra official said the aim of the import duty was to protect local industries.
“People are still allowed to bring in goods worth $300 for free per month but electronic goods, such as fridges and stoves, and footwear and blankets are no longer part of that list,” he said.
