Zimra calls for reforms on textile import duties

The Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra) is calling for import duty reforms, especially for the clothing and textiles sector.

State-owned newspaper, The Herald, cited Zimra commissioner-general, Gersham Pasi, as saying that the revenue authority was proposing a duty system that would impose a value-added tax on the products rather than on the local importers.

“There are lots of countries – Vietnam, China, Colombia – bringing in clothing at cost-effective prices. Cheaper in fact, than if the same items were produced locally. But the high point-of-entry duties make it hard for local businesses to import the products,” he reportedly said.

According to Pasi, the high import duties have forced local businesses to smuggle the goods in illegally.