Teamhouse P/L

Teamhouse P/L Teamhouse provides expert international customs and freight forwarding
services to large and small co

10/02/2018

How exporters can benefit from trade agreements

Exported products become competitive when they land at lower costs. This can be achieved if goods are exported under a trade agreement. The trade agreement will result in the goods being accorded preferential treatment on entry into the importing country. Preferential treatment means that your products will attract less or no Customs Duties in the importing country.

Zimbabwe is part to the following trade agreements:
• COMESA Trade Protocol for exports to all COMESA member states
• SADC Trade Protocol for exports to all SADC member states
• Zimbabwe/Malawi Trade Agreement for exports to Malawi
• Zimbabwe/Botswana Trade Agreement for exports to Botswana
• Zimbabwe/Namibia Trade Agreement for exports to Namibia
• Zimbabwe/ Mozambique Trade Agreement for exports to Mozambique
• The Generalised System of Preferences for exports to European Union countries

How to register under a trade agreement
One has to approach the nearest Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA) office and obtain information on a particular trade agreement(s) that he/she wants to register under.

A manufacturer or exporter makes an application in writing to ZIMRA to export under a particular trade agreement. The application should be supported by evidence that the goods originate in Zimbabwe.

What types of goods qualify?
The following are some of the goods that may qualify for preferential treatment:
• Wholly grown products, for instance agricultural products
• Animals originating in Zimbabwe
• Minerals products
• Manufactured products meeting set out qualifying criteria, among other goods

Can I export goods if I am not the manufacturer of the product?
Yes. You need to be registered with ZIMRA to export the particular manufactured product.

What documents are required by the importing country for the goods to enjoy preferential treatment?
A certificate of origin duly completed and signed by the manufacturer or exporter and authenticated by ZIMRA.

Maximising on the benefits of trade agreements
You are free to find out which trade agreement gives you maximum benefit for the product you intend to export.


Disclaimer
This article was compiled by the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority for information purposes only. ZIMRA shall not accept responsibility for loss or damage arising from use of material in this article and no liability will attach to the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority.

10/02/2018

Bilateral Trade Agreements

Zimbabwe has bilateral trade agreements with several countries in which all qualifying goods enter the territory of one another without payment of Customs Duty. This article will focus on the following bilateral trade agreements:
• Zimbabwe/Namibia which became effective in 1993
• Zimbabwe/Malawi which became effective in 1995 and
• Zimbabwe/Botswana which became effective in 1988.
The above agreements have similar terms and conditions.
What do the agreements entail?
In terms of these agreements, goods originating from Zimbabwe do not attract Customs duty and Surtax in the importing countries and goods originating from the exporting countries enter Zimbabwe Duty and Surtax free as well.
What products are covered by these agreements?
Goods grown, produced or manufactured in the territory of either contracting party
What are the categories of goods considered grown or produced in the territories?
• Mineral products extracted from the soil
• Agricultural products harvested or gathered therein
• Live animals born and raised therein
• Products obtained from live animals
• Forest products harvested therein
• Fish and other fish products gathered therein or from its marine economic zone
• Scrap and waste resulting from manufacturing operations within that country

How about manufactured goods?
Manufactured goods should attain a minimum local content of 25%. This means that the component of local materials including local labour used in the manufacturing process of a product should be at least 25%.

How does one qualify to export goods under these agreements?
In Zimbabwe, exporters intending to export goods in terms of these agreements must apply for registration at the nearest ZIMRA Office. Once it is ascertained that the goods qualify as originating from Zimbabwe, the application is processed and the exporter is allocated a reference number which must be quoted on every Certificate of Origin upon exporting products to those specified countries.
What happens to imports into Zimbabwe?
On imports, the local company does not need to register the products but the products will enter Zimbabwe Customs Duty and Surtax free if they are covered by a valid Certificate of Origin from the supplier in the exporting country. It is that supplier who registers in their home country.
What export documentation is required in terms this agreement?
• Commercial invoice for the goods
• Consignment notes
• Freight and insurance statements
• Licences and permits, where required
• Certificate of Origin, duly stamped and signed by ZIMRA. This serves as confirmation that the goods being exported are of Zimbabwean origin.
What are the benefits of exporting goods under these agreements?
Since trade agreements remove tariffs and other barriers between nations, this has the effect of lowering prices and allowing goods to become competitive in the foreign markets.
Disclaimer
• This article was compiled by the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority for information purposes only. ZIMRA shall not accept responsibility for loss or damage arising from use of material in this article and no liability will attach to the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority.

02/02/2018

TEAMHOUSE P/L: For all your customs clearing and consultancy, freight forwarding, tax consultancy , company registration, warehousing and Motor vehicle change of ownership

Address

Workington
Harare

Opening Hours

Monday 08:00 - 06:30
Tuesday 08:00 - 06:30
Wednesday 08:00 - 06:30
Thursday 08:00 - 06:30
Friday 08:00 - 06:30
Saturday 08:00 - 12:30

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Teamhouse P/L posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Share

Category