Zimbabwe: Country Cuts Import Tariffs in Line With SADC Trade Protocol

Source from:  The Herald (Harare) 10 January 2008 01/11/2008

Zimbabwe has aligned its import tariffs in line with the Sadc Trade Protocol that came into effect on January 1 this year. The reduction in the import duty was meant to facilitate the free flow of goods among Sadc member states. According to Statutory Instrument 212 of the Customs and Excise Act, some of the goods that have been accorded duty-free status include meat products and other live animals and birds, agricultural produce such as potatoes, cabbage, legumes and seeds, coffee, cereals and rice. Fertilizers and pharmaceutical products such as adhesive dressing, printers, tubes and tyres for heavy-duty vehicles, engine and motor spare parts and clothing are also at zero percent. Milk products such as cream not containing added sugar, yogurt and dairy spreads, and petroleum jelly less than five litres now attract duty at 10 percent while duty for cheese and dairy spread such as margarine is now being charged at 5 percent. Cosmetics used for manicure and pedicure, and shampoos are now charged duty of 15 percent. Import duty for refrigerators and all sound systems such as radios is at 30 percent. However, the duty for beer has gone up from 40 percent to 75 percent. Cigarettes and tobacco are pegged at the same rate of 60 percent. According to the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority, the increased charges for tobacco and beer imports was meant to enhance revenue collection. "The nation is set to benefit from these products and others as more revenue will be availed for financing Government programmes and the protection of local industry," Zimra said. The regional bloc has targeted to have a Customs Union by 2010, a Common Market by 2015 and Monetary Union by 2018. Economic integration in Sadc is guided by the Trade Protocol, which was signed in 1996 and ratified in 2000. As part of its implementation, member states have been negotiating tariff reduction schedules, rules of origin, a dispute settlement mechanism, special product agreements, elimination of non-tariff barriers and harmonisation of customs, trade documentation and clearance procedures. The 14 Sadc countries are Angola, Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zambia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Seychelles and Zimbabwe. Sadc member countries boast a total population of over 230 million and a combined gross domestic product of over US$200 billion. Enditem