Zimbabwe verification scheme kicked back into touch

Efforts by the government of Zimbabwe to introduce a costly and time-consuming cargo verification system for all imports has so far come to naught. It was introduced in association with the bi-lateral trade body, the EU Chamber of Commerce & Industry for Southern Africa, and the conformity assessment company, Bureau Veritas, and was intended to achieve “conformity to standards and declared value of goods intended to be exported to Zimbabwe”. And this “to be verified prior to shipment in the country of export”. And all this cost you anything between US$350 and US$7 000 (depending on value of goods) to get your appropriate gold stamp of approval. This consignment-based conformity assessment (CBCA) document was due to become mandatory on March 16. “But the inspections were just taking too long and were very costly,” said our trucking source. Joseph Musariri, CEO of the Shipping & Forwarding Agents’ Association of Zimbabwe, has however revealed that the whole CBCA shemozzle has apparently hit the backburner – postponed, if not possibly even cancelled completely. An e-mail to Musariri from Abigail Shonhiwa, the permanent secretary in the ministry of industry and commerce, stated: “As discussed please be advised that the implementation of the CBCA has been delayed due to outstanding administrative and technical issues plus the need to take into account issues that arose during the awareness campaigns.” Musariri added: “Industry, together with ourselves, are also set to meet with the minister this week” – and that the results of this “get to the bottom of it” meeting will be released to association members.