Zimbabwe govt suspends duty on bus imports

Zimbabwe's Minister of Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion, Mthuli Ncube, has suspended customs duty on the importation of public service buses in a move aimed at easing transport challenges and lowering commuting costs.

The policy, backdated to January 1, 2026, is designed to modernise the country's public transport fleet, reduce operational costs for operators and improve service delivery for commuters.

Announced through Statutory Instrument 74 of 2026 under the Customs and Excise Act, the measure allows approved bus operators to import vehicles duty-free, subject to strict regulatory conditions.

Under the new regulations, operators must be approved by the Secretary for Transport and Infrastructural Development, with each application assessed on a case-by-case basis in consultation with the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority.

To qualify, importers must provide full documentation, including tax clearance certificates, proof of compliance with the Income Tax Act, and detailed specifications of the buses being imported. Each vehicle must be registered in the name of the approved importer and used strictly for public transport purposes.

The regulations also prohibit operators from selling or disposing of buses imported under the scheme within five years unless they obtain written approval or pay back the suspended duty.

Authorities further warned that operators found charging excessive fares or misusing the facility risk penalties, including being required to pay the suspended duty.

The Government said the policy is part of broader efforts to cushion commuters from rising transport costs, which have been exacerbated by global fuel price increases linked to tensions involving the United States, Israel and Iran.

In addition to easing commuter burdens, the initiative is expected to support tourism through specialised vehicle imports and stimulate growth in the local motor assembly sector.

Bus operators have welcomed the move, describing it as timely and necessary. Samson Nhanhanga, chairman of the Zimbabwe Passenger Transport Organisation, said the policy would help operators expand capacity and improve services.

"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," he said.

The Ministry of Finance will receive monthly reports detailing approved importers, the number of buses brought into the country and their specifications, as part of monitoring and accountability measures under the scheme.