Zimra, Buy Zimbabwe join forces to combat smuggling

STAFF WRITER
In a move to protect local industries, the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra) has teamed up with the buy-local advocacy group Buy Zimbabwe to tackle the growing scourge of smuggling in the domestic market.
The partnership aims not only to curb the influx of illicit goods but also to shield consumers from counterfeit products, safeguarding both health and economic interests.
Elvis Masvaure, Advocacy Officer at Buy Zimbabwe, stressed the importance of the collaboration.
“The goal is not only to stop the smuggling of goods but also to ensure that the local market is free from counterfeit products,” he said.
Masvaure noted that working alongside Zimra is crucial to protect local manufacturers from unfair trading practices, which undermine domestic production and job creation.
Providing further perspective, Zimra’s Commissioner of Customs and Excise, Batsirai Chadzingwa, highlighted the scale of the challenge.
“Fuel, alcohol, energy drinks, footwear, detergents, meat, confectionery, washing powder, clothing, and other groceries are among the most commonly smuggled items into Zimbabwe,” he said.
According to industry estimates, the country loses around US$1 billion annually to smuggling. Experts warn that the persistent illicit trade threatens the growth of local industries, creating an uneven playing field for domestic producers.
The joint initiative signals a renewed commitment to protecting Zimbabwean businesses and strengthening market integrity.
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