Govt releases list of duty-free goods

Zim Now Writer

Government yesterday suspended duty on 10 basic good, namely: maize meal, rice, milk, flour, salt, cooking oil, petroleum jelly, toothpaste, bath soap and washing powder.

The suspension of the import duty and import VAT shall be valid for six months from yesterday and is likely to force Zimbabwean producers to keep their prices within the limits of foreign competitors, especially as retailers and wholesalers can now keep all the foreign currency they collect from customers.

In a letter to Zimra Commissioner-General, Regina Chinamasa, Permanent Secretary for Finance and Economic Development, George Guvamatanga also requested Zimra to “urgently draft the necessary legal instrument and implement the duty suspension with effect from May 12, 2023”.

“Furthermore, the Ministry of Industry and Commerce is expected to complement the measure through the inclusion of the above goods on the Open General Import Licence,” said Guvamatanga.

The move is in line with the stabilisation measures announced by the Government on Thursday.