HARARE – Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube has gazetted a list of 14 basic commodities which government has exempted from customs duty payment on importation for the next six months.
This follows a cabinet decision to suspend import duty on some essential goods in a move intended to counter continued price increases by retailers in the country.
The suspension of import duty on the designated commodities is effective 12 May, 2023.
“Import duty on the 14 basic commodities will remain suspended for six months in order to ensure their availability at competitive prices,” Publicity and Broadcasting Services minister Monica Mutsvangwa said at a post-cabinet media briefing Tuesday.
According to a government survey, while most basic commodities are accessible in both formal and informal retail shops, there are still shortages of some locally produced goods, especially in formal retail shops.
The commodities gazetted duty free under Statutory Instrument 80 of 2023 include powdered milk, rice, maize meal, flour, laundry and bath soap, washing powder, toothpaste and petroleum jelly.
