Used vehicle import volumes fall

October 31 deadline prohibiting the importation of vehicles over five years are already in the country.

Although the profit margin put on these vehicles is relatively small, players in the motor trade business predicted vehicle prices to come down soon.

Before the suspension, there was stampede at the border with dealers rushing to beat the deadline. Government had set October 31 as the deadline before it rescinded and lifted the ban.

Figures from Zimra indicate that 2 950 and 3 535 motor vehicles were cleared at Beitbridge Border Post between August and September this year.

The figures, however, took a nosedive this month as all stocks arrived in the country.

Investigations by The Herald indicate that on average 150 cars were cleared per day at both Nerry and Manica bonded warehouses.

The number has since dropped to around 100 after the ban was lifted.

Since the beginning of October, between 40 and 50 car carriers would be cleared per day and the figure has since dropped to between 16 and 20 per day.

Zimra's director of legal and corporate affairs, Ms Florence Jambwa, said about 40 500 cars have been cleared at Beitbridge border post from January to date after the Government in the last national budget revised customs duty for most cars to between 25 and 40 percent.

Ms Jambwa confirmed that there was an increase in the number of vehicles brought into the country during the past two months.

She said on average it should take under an hour for one to get his car completely cleared at the border post with all the necessary papers in place.

Ms Jambwa said the calculation of customs duty was based on cost, insurance and freight of the motor vehicle from the country of exportation.