Beitbridge Vehicle Clearing

ZIMRA's published requirements for a private vehicle import include a customs declaration (Form 47), the invoice or agreement of sale, the used-vehicle registration book, police clearance from the country of export (SARPCO for South Africa), the export bill of entry and supporting documents, plus a freight statement and an insurance statement.

For a private, non-merchandise import, ZIMRA's guidance allows clearance on Form 49 without a clearing agent. Commercial imports are declared on Form 21 through ASYCUDA with the transport documents and any permits or licences.

• Duty is charged on ZIMRA's value

  Cost of the car plus international insurance and freight up to the border. Inland transport inside Zimbabwe is left out.

• A used car can be reassessed

  ZIMRA can reject a declared value and value the car against comparable vehicles and its condition.

• VAT is 15.5% from 1 January 2026

  Per ZIMRA's published change of rate. Some older guidance still shows 15%.

• Luxury surcharge of 30%

  Announced by ZIMRA from 1 June 2023 for specified vehicles with a free-on-board value of US$120,000 or more.

We do not publish a duty percentage for ordinary used cars as fact, because ZIMRA does not publish the brackets in a form we can verify. You can classify a vehicle and see an estimated duty figure on ZIMRA's own tariff tool at etariff.zimra.co.zw. Treat it as an estimate until ZIMRA accepts the valuation and classification for your car.

• The official ZIMRA receipt for every duty payment.
• The Customs Clearance Certificate.
• The release order, and the Bill of Entry or Form 49 receipt.

Registered clearing agents must attach verifiable bank proof that duty funds reached a ZIMRA bank account, with the transaction reference shown on the entry. If an agent cannot show you that proof, do not hand them the duty money.

To register the car afterwards you need the Customs Clearance Certificate, police clearance, proof of residence, your national ID and the clearance papers. Ask us about the current registration step for your specific car before you travel — the order things happen at the counter is not something we can verify from published sources.

• The full clearing guideDocuments, duty, receipts and registration in one place.
• Costs via DurbanWhere the money goes between a Japanese listing and your yard.
• Import cost guideThe five cost blocks and how to check an agent is real.
• Talk to a personWhatsApp or email us with the chassis number.