Zimbabwe has seen a 63 percent drop in the import of second-hand vehicles since the introduction of tougher regulations early this month restricting the bringing into the country of cars more than 10 years old, an official said on Tuesday.
In new regulations gazetted on April 2, Zimbabweans are now required to produce import permits if they want to bring into the country second-hand light vehicles that are more than 10 years since their day of manufacture.
ZIMRA spokesperson Francis Chimanda said the revenue collector was currently processing import documents for an average of 22 cars daily at Beitbridge border post, down from around 60 a day before the new regulations.
“Unfortunately, I cannot disclose the amount of revenue we are getting from vehicle imports since our system does not separate revenue from motor vehicles and that which is received from other goods,” Chimanda told the official Herald daily.
Under the new regulations, light vehicles manufactured less than 10 years ago or heavy commercial vehicles can still be imported without need for import permits.
Those wishing to import vehicles 10 years or older are required to apply to the Ministry of Industry and Commerce for permits.
JN/APA