Zimra gets tough on smuggling

A “100% search programme”
of all cars and buses
crossing from South
Africa to Zimbabwe has
been introduced by the
Zimbabwean Revenue
Authority Zimra in an effort
to curb smuggling.
According to
the governmentrun
Chronicle newspaper, the
main target is cross-border
traders who are accused of
smuggling through South
African groceries and
electrical goods as large as
fridges and stoves without
paying duty.
The Chronicle says
Zimbabwe raises up to
US$60m a month from duties
charged at Beitbridge.
The clamp-down follows
a strategic planning meeting
by Zimra management at
Beitbridge earlier in January.
Zimbabwe and South
Africa are reported to be
losing millions of rand a
month in customs revenue
due to smuggling through the
“porous” border between the
two countries.