Zimra directed to implement CBCA with French firm Mr Gershem Pasi
gershem pasi

Gershem Pasi

Oliver Kazunga recently in Victoria Falls
THE government has directed the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority to jointly implement pre-shipment inspections of imports at the ports of entry with the French-owned Bureau Veritas to curb entry of sub-standards products into the country.The government recently engaged Bureau Veritas to carry out Consignment Based Conformity Assessment (CBCA) on imported products as part of measures to protect the local industry and enhance domestic competitiveness.

Zimra Commissioner General Gershem Pasi, confirmed receiving the directive from the government.

“I’ve to implement the pre-shipment at border posts because it’s a policy issue. Last week, I received a letter from the government, which is now on my desk authorising me to do the inspections. It (inspections) should be starting June 16,” Pasi told Business Chronicle on the sidelines of the just ended African Tax Administrators Forum in Victoria Falls.

The new inspection regime was due for implementation on May 16 but captains of industry voiced objections through their associations and demanded a review of the agreement. Industry and Commerce Minister Mike Bimha last week announced the exercise had been stopped pending further consultations. However, Pasi said the pre-shipment inspection exercise was previously undertaken by the government and were now being re-introduced.

“It’s a government policy which has been taken and we accept any government policy put in place. But if we had been asked before, we would have advised otherwise because we’ve used it before and the benefits weren’t visible. We now need to see how best we can implement the system,” said Pasi.

It is envisaged that inspection fees for the CBCA programme would range from 0.50 percent to 0.70 percent of the free-on-board value of the consignment to be inspected while the minimum amount has been pegged at $350 with the maximum at $7,500.

Business organisations contend that the whole arrangement in its present form would have far reaching consequences on their operations and the economy at large.

They say while it is right to apply quality testing on specific finished products, the programme also covered critical raw materials and that the charges were excessive.

Among other concerns, the business associations argue that the programme was imposed on every importer by the Ministry of Industry and Commerce.

Zimbabwe is battling to tame the widening trade deficit, which has clocked $16 billion in the last five years due to the influx of cheap imports. Inspections at source are expected to help reduce imports, including of sub-standard products.

 

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