Amendment to Customs Duties at the Zim border

The Commissioner General of the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA) hereby advises members of the public that, with effect from 1^st August 2011, the traveller’s rebate (duty free allowance) will not be used to clear blankets, footwear, refrigerators and stoves. Travellers who wish to import blankets, footwear, refrigerators and stoves will continue to benefit from the reduced rates of duty that were implemented with effect from 1^st January 2011.

What is a Traveller’s Rebate?

A travellers’ rebate is an allowance granted on goods imported into Zimbabwe by a traveller (a person entering Zimbabwe). This rebate or allowance is divided into two categories:  Total rebate is an allowance granted on all used personal effects. Personal effects are articles pertaining to, or carried upon the body, such as clothing and toilet requisites but exclude such articles as radios, cameras, among others. Partial rebate is an allowance granted to a traveller once a month on the date of his/her first entry into Zimbabwe in that calendar month on condition that:-

•       Goods are properly declared
•       Goods are not for sale or of a commercial nature
•       The value of goods does not exceed US$300.00
•       Alcoholic beverages are not more than five (5) Litres of which not more than two (2) Litres may be spirits, and the traveller is 18 years and above
• The traveller is not a crew member (of an aircraft or public transport vehicle)
• The goods are not blankets, footwear, refrigerators or stoves

Who enjoys the traveller’s rebate?

Any traveller entering Zimbabwe, namely:

•       Returning residents
•       Tourists/visitors
•       Immigrants
•       Diplomats

Please note that this excludes any person employed as the pilot or master or any member of the crew of an aircraft or vehicle arriving from outside Zimbabwe.

Commissioner General                                                      Public Notice No 12 of 2011