Source: Bus imports now duty-free – herald
Farirai Machivenyika
Senior Reporter
FINANCE, Economic Development and Investment Promotion Minister Professor Mthuli Ncube has suspended duty on public service bus imports backdated to January 1, this year.
The initiative is tailored to ease public transport woes, lower commuting costs and modernise the fleet by reducing import costs for operators.
The policy supports the expansion of public transit capacity, facilitates tourism via specialised vehicle imports, and encourages the growth of the local motor assembly industry.
This comes as the Government is implementing measures to ease the pain on commuters who are bearing the costs after global fuel prices went up because of the US-Israel-Iran war.
Bus operators have generally supported and welcomed the Government’s suspension of duty on imported buses, viewing this as a crucial measure to modernise fleets, reduce transport costs and improve service delivery.
The facility was made in terms of the Customs and Excise Act and was announced in Statutory Instrument 74 of 2026, cited as the Customs and Excise Act (Suspension) (Amendment) Regulations, 2026 (No. 286).
“Customs duty shall be suspended on importation of public service buses imported by approved importers in terms of this section. The Secretary for Transport and Infrastructural Development shall, on a case-by-case basis, recommend to the Commissioner qualifying public service bus operators duly registered in terms of Part III of the Road Motor Transportation Act
“A public service bus shall be admitted under suspension of duty only if the approved importer has furnished to the satisfaction of the Commissioner (of ZIMRA),” reads part of the SI.
The Commissioner will also have to be guided by a written authority from the Secretary for Transport and Infrastructural Development, indicating the name of the approved importer, as well as the make, model, engine and chassis number of the public service bus to be imported, and proof of satisfaction of the requirements of sections of the Income Tax Act, a valid tax clearance certificate, and proof of payment of any income tax due and payable for the previous fiscal year, certified thereof by the Commissioner responsible for the administration of the Income Tax Act.
“An approved importer shall, when effecting entry on importation, or on removal from bond of a public service bus under suspension, submit with the relevant bill of entry a declaration signed by him or her, to the effect that the public service bus is to be used for transporting persons in line with the approved importer’s public transportation business.
“Any public service bus imported under this section shall be imported in the name of the approved importer.
“An approved importer shall not dispose of any public service bus cleared under suspension of duty within five years of importation, unless written authority of the Commissioner is obtained or payment of the duty suspended in accordance with this section has been made,” reads the SI.
The Commissioner may also authorise the disposal of a public service bus on payment of such duty, not exceeding the amount of duty suspended, as he or she thinks fit, if, in his or her opinion, the public service bus cannot be economically used for the purpose for which it was entered under suspension.
“Duty suspended on a public service bus, which is accidentally destroyed before being used in the approved importer’s business, may be remitted if the Commissioner is satisfied that every reasonable effort was made and precaution taken to prevent its destruction.
“The minister, in consultation with the Minister responsible for Transport and Infrastructural Development, shall cause any approved importer who, in his or her opinion, unjustifiably charges unreasonable fares or engages in any other activity other than the provision of services for which the suspension of duty would have been granted, to account for the duty suspended thereof and any applicable penalties,” reads the SI
The Secretary for Transport and Infrastructural Development and the Commissioner shall, on or by the 10th day of every month, submit independent reports to the Secretary for Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion providing the following information under this suspension of duty; details of the list of approved importers; the number of public service buses approved and/or imported by each approved importer; the make, chassis number and value of each of the public service buses imported.
The Zimbabwe Passenger Transport Organisation chairman, Dr Samson Nhanhanga, welcomed the Government’s initiative.
“As bus operators, we welcome the suspension of duty on buses, which would not only ease transport challenges, but also reduce fares. We are bringing in a huge number of buses to replenish our fleet. It is a huge relief for us since we will be able to satisfy the requirements of our market,’’ Dr Nhanhanga said
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