Zimbabwe Introduces Duty-Free Rebate for Returning Citizens Amid South Africa Xenophobia Concerns

Zimbabweans returning home from South Africa following renewed xenophobic attacks will be allowed to import personal belongings, household goods, and one motor vehicle under a special immigrants’ rebate scheme aimed at easing their resettlement. The concession was outlined in a directive from Finance Ministry Permanent Secretary George Guvamatanga to Zimbabwe Revenue Authority Commissioner-General Regina Chinamasa.

Under the arrangement, qualifying former Zimbabwe Exemption Permit (ZEP) holders will be permitted to bring one vehicle into Zimbabwe without paying customs duty. However, Value Added Tax (VAT) will still apply, although authorities say flexible valuation methods will be used to keep the amount payable as low as possible.

“The facility would cater for only one motor vehicle imported by a Zimbabwe Exemption Permit (ZEP) holder. All motor vehicles would be cleared under suspension of duty, whereby VAT would remain payable. ZIMRA would apply flexible valuation terms to ensure that the VAT payable on the vehicles would be minimal,” Guvamatanga said.

The rebate applies to a single vehicle owned by an eligible returnee. Authorities have also relaxed import permit requirements for older vehicles. According to the directive, vehicles more than 10 years old will not require import permits, provided they meet the conditions attached to the immigrants’ rebate. The exemption is limited to vehicles that were purchased before the expiry of the Zimbabwe Exemption Permit programme on 31 December 2022.

In addition to vehicles, returning Zimbabweans will be allowed to import personal effects, household property, and certain commercial equipment used in their businesses while living in South Africa.

“For personal property and equipment of a commercial nature. Rebate of duty would apply on personal and household property, as well as property of a commercial nature, which presumably the returnees would have been using in their businesses,” the letter states.

Authorities said all qualifying goods must have been acquired before the expiry of the ZEP programme.

“The exempted property would have been purchased prior to the expiry of the ZEPs, that is, prior to 31 December 2022.”

The government has also introduced flexibility regarding the timing of imports to accommodate Zimbabweans who may have returned earlier but have not yet shipped their belongings.

“There would be flexibility with respect to time of arrival in order to accord residents who returned by December 2022 ample time to clear their goods,” Guvamatanga explained.

The Finance Ministry emphasised that safeguards will be implemented to ensure the facility benefits only genuine returning residents. Officials warned that the rebate will not apply to newly purchased items and that applicants will be required to prove ownership of imported vehicles and other qualifying property.

“This is subject to the appropriate evaluation in order to limit potential abuse of the facility by non-qualifying returning residents. Furthermore, the facility will not apply to new items,” Guvamatanga said.

“In the case of motor vehicles, the returnees are required to meet the conditions that ordinarily apply to immigrants. These include prior ownership of the motor vehicle.”

The measure comes as Zimbabwe continues to respond to concerns over the welfare of its citizens in South Africa, where renewed fears of xenophobic violence have prompted some Zimbabweans to consider returning home.

Zimbabwe immigrants rebate