Call to embrace new border facility

TENDAI BHEBE IN BULAWAYO 

The Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA) has urged traders to embrace the Authorised Economic Operators (AEO) programme, meant to create a faster and easier movement of cargo through the country’s ports of entry.

AEO is a programme under the World Customs Organisation SAFE Framework of Standards to secure and enhance international supply chain security and facilitate movement of legitimate goods across international borders.

ZIMRA regional manager for Region 2, Bekezela Majokojoko, said the new border facility has allowed for dwelling time to be reduced for transporters.

“The use of the new border facility (AEO) has greatly reduced the dwell time at the border posts. From maybe three or two days to a matter of hours of which the dwelling day is strictly for border operations that cannot be avoided,” Majokojoko said.

He added: “ The government has legislated pre-clearance. It is now mandatory that all cargo that is coming into Zimbabwe is pre-cleared so that by the time the cargo arrives at the border post it is ready either for inspection or for going straight through.

“We are encouraging our clients to take up the AEO programme as it will help in expediting movement of cargo for clients that are low risk of which I believe that most of our real industry players are.”

Majokojoko said ZIMRA has introduced a number of rebates in a bid to promote the manufacturing sector.

“We have facilities like bonded warehouses where you can bring in goods and keep them there until they have got money to pay and are ready to use them. These are facilities that also facilitate trade, “he said.

He said ZIMRA has implemented the use of non-intrusive scanning equipment, which means that not everything now goes for physical examination. Products go through scanning and if there are no anomalies noted, the goods can quickly move through.

The AEO Programme was necessitated by the need to facilitate trade, reward compliance and enhance international supply chain security.

The programme offers a modern approach through flexible application of Customs and Excise controls.

This is done by categorising and rewarding compliant or trusted operators.