Comesa simplified trade regime

The Common Market for East and Southern Africa (Comesa) Simplified Trade Regime (STR) has been introduced to expedite clearances for small scale cross border traders.

THE STR may be used by small scale cross border traders who are importing or exporting goods worth $1 000 or less per consignment; with goods that are listed on the Common List that qualifies under the Comesa STR; and small scale traders with goods for resale.

The Comesa STR is used under following conditions: - ◆ The goods will be sold in the country of final destination and not in transit country ◆ The goods are worth $1 000 or less ◆ The goods appear on the Common

List of goods Traders with goods that have been grown or made in the Comesa region and appear on the Common List will need to complete the Simplified Certificate of Origin.

The Simplified Certificate of Origin enables the trader to enjoy duty and quota free entry of their goods, provided these goods appear on the Common List.

It must be submitted together with the Comesa Simplified Customs Document, which should be completed by the trader at the border post and certi- fied or stamped by a Zimra official at the border post.

The Simplified Certificate of Origin is for use by the small scale cross border traders with consignments of $1 000 or less. Please note that the amount of $1 000 should include the cost of transporting the goods and insurance from the country of export to the border post.

If the values are not available, Zimra will add the cost of freight and insurance at 6 percent of the cost of the item.

Traders handling larger consignments who wish to benefit from duty free entry of their goods must use the normal Comesa Certificate of Origin.

In addition to the necessary travel documents, the small scale cross border trader should possess the following documents: - ◆ Comesa Simplified Certificate of

Origin ◆ Invoices of the goods ◆ Import or export permits for certain agricultural goods and animal products. When traders reach the border post, they should make sure that they separate goods that appear on the Common List from those that do not.

For goods that appear on the Common List, the trader should fill in the Simplified Certificate of Origin which will be certified and stamped by Zimra officials at the border post.

If the trader is carrying chemicals, agricultural foods, plant and animal products such as pesticides, oranges, bananas, milk, eggs, fish, meat or chicken, they should report to the offices of the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Agriculture or the Environmental Management Agency to obtain stamps on any imports and export permits, and certify that the goods imported or exported comply with food safety, plant and animal health regulations including environmental protection.

This is important to guard against the spread of pests and diseases and to protect human lives as well as the environment.

The trader should ensure that the exported goods are separated into the following categories: ◆ Goods produced in the Comesa region that are prescribed on the Common List on which no duty is payable ◆ Goods produced in the Comesa region that do not appear on the Common List on which duty may be payable ◆ Goods produced in non-Comesa member states on which duty must be paid. The Comesa Simplified Certificate of Origin must be signed and stamped by Zimra for all goods that appear on the Common List.

STR is being implemented at the following border posts: Victoria Falls, Kariba, Chirundu and Nyamapanda. 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. ◆ Please contact us as follows: — Visit our website : www.zimra. co.zw — Follow us on Twitter: @ Zimra_11 — Like us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/ZIMRA.11 — Send us an e-mail: pr@zimra. co.zw — Send us a WhatsApp message: +263 782729862 — Call us (Head Office) : 04 –758891 /5; 790813; 790814; 781345; 751624; 752731