Commercial Guidelines on Imports & Exports

CATEGORY: COMMERCIAL GUIDELINES ON IMPORTS & EXPORTS

What are commercial importations?

  • Goods imported for commercial purposes
  • Goods imported by organisations

Documentation required when clearing commercial importations

  • Bill of Entry (Form 21)
  • Suppliers' invoices;
  • Packing lists;
  • Freight statements
  • Transit Bill of Entry from the country of export
  • Bill of Lading (for goods imported by sea)
  • Value Declaration Forms
  • Rail Advice Note
  • Port Charges Invoices (for goods imported by sea)
  • Agent / Importer’s Worksheet
  • Original Permits, Licences (for controlled goods – SPS / goods not on OGIL)
  • Duty Free Certificates (for government importations),
  • Rebate Letters (for goods imported under rebate of duty)
  • Value Rulings (for importers issued with advance Value Rulings)

Calculation of Duty

  • Duty is calculated on the basis of Cost, Insurance and Freight (CIF) value of the imported goods.
  • The CIF value of the imported goods is an aggregate of the cost of goods, insurance, freight and any other charges incurred outsider Zimbabwe.

 

NB: Proof of all these charges must be produced.

Clearance Procedure

Clearance is done by registered clearing agents. A Bill of Entry (Form 21) is registered in the Asycuda World system together with supporting documents. Payments of duty may be done in the following manner:

  • Cash payments at the Cash Office
  • RTGs processed through the banks
  • Ecocash payment.
  • Swipe

Documents are processed, assessed and if correct a Release Order is issued authorising the collection of goods from the carrier or detention. If there is need to inspect the goods, an Examination Order is issued and an inspection carried out to verify the quantities, classification, origin, values or any aspect that needs clarification.

Temporary Importations

These can be cleared as follows:

  • By payment of a temporary deposit which is refundable on export.
  • By an ATIP (Application for Temporary Importation Privileges) which is guaranteed by a bank or insurance.