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Thupeyo Muleya Beitbridge Bureau
THE Shipping and Forwarding Agents Association of Zimbabwe (SFAAZ) has urged the government to clarify regulations on restricted import products to resolve the conflict over tariff codes by Zimra.

SFAAZ chief executive officer Joseph Musariri said Statutory Instrument 126 of 2014 (Control of Goods {Open General Import Licence No.2} Amendment notice No 3), which was issued by the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, had brought a lot of agony to importers and clearing agents.

According to the new law, which was gazetted on August 15 last year and took effect on October 22, those who want to import cement, cooking oil, milk products and soap among others are required to apply for permits.

Prior to the new development individual travellers were importing these goods in their personal capacity.

“We’re very concerned with the way Zimra is ripping off importers and clearing agents. In essence what Zimra is doing is illegal because they’re now demanding permits on products which aren’t listed in the statutory instrument failure of which they charge a fine of $2,000 regardless of the value of the goods,” said Musariri.

“For instance the importation of plastic bags of polymers classified under headings 3920, 3921 and 3923 of the customs tariffs require a permit, but you’ll note that there are other products under the same tariff code, which don’t require a permit. Now we’ve Zimra demanding permits for these goods against the law.”

Musariri said the development has an adverse effect on the movement of cargo and their operations at the country’s ports of entry.

He said in other instances importers were incurring unnecessary expenses because of Zimra’s conduct.

Currently most travellers are losing their goods at Beitbridge border post where such items are being confiscated by Zimra officers upon arrival.

Musariri said acquiring the said permits from the Ministry of Industry and Commerce was also a hassle for many importers.

He said his organisation approached the government late last year over the teething challenges faced by its members and was awaiting a response.

“The law is very clear but Zimra is playing hard ball with clearing agents and importers.

“This issue needs to be addressed as a matter of urgency,” he said.

Milk (liquid and powder packed for retail), potatoes, tomatoes and onions, biscuits and yeast, cement, soap and soap preparations (for retail), plastic bags of polymers and tubes, pipes, conveyer belts and rubber hoses are listed in the new Statutory Instrument as requiring an import permit.

The Minister of Industry and Commerce, Mike Bimha, said the challenges around the new regulations were operational in nature.

“As government we’ve made it clear from the policy point of view that the issue of goods falling into wrong tariff codes should be addressed at operational level.

“We’re saying all the stakeholders involved should continue consulting each other on the best way forward. We’re very hopeful that a workable solution will be arrived at soon,” said the minister.