Govt Offers Duty Rebate on EV Chargers, Ends COVID...

Govt Offers Duty Rebate on EV Chargers, Ends COVID-19 Waivers

Oscar J Jeke- Zim Now Reporter

Government has rolled out new customs regulations that offer a rebate on import duty for equipment used in establishing solar-powered electric vehicle charging stations, while simultaneously scrapping duty waivers for COVID-19-related imports.

The changes were gazetted under Statutory Instrument 35 of 2025, issued by the Minister of Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion in accordance with Section 235 of the Customs and Excise Act [Chapter 23:02].

Dubbed the Customs and Excise (General) (Amendment) Regulations, 2025 (No. 124), the new policy grants duty rebates for machinery and equipment brought into the country exclusively for constructing solar-powered EV charging infrastructure.

The move is part of Zimbabwe’s broader push to promote clean energy adoption and accelerate its transition to e-mobility.

Only importers licensed by the Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority will qualify for the rebate. The statutory instrument specifies that ZERA must approve a list of operators eligible to import the necessary equipment.

“The Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority shall approve a list of operators for the purposes of this section,” the regulation reads. It further clarifies that the rebate is strictly for equipment used to build EV charging stations, not for general solar installations.

At the same time, the government has repealed Section 144X of the 2001 Customs and Excise Regulations, which had provided import duty waivers for essential materials used in combating COVID-19. The repeal marks a formal end to pandemic-era concessions, signaling a shift toward a post-COVID economic framework.

The duty rebate on EV infrastructure aligns with Zimbabwe’s efforts to boost sustainable transport, cut reliance on fossil fuels, and position itself as a hub for green technology investment.