Carbon and other crazy taxes in Zimbabwe

[2cvfred]

Got this from the overland list:

Before you consider coming to Zim for a weekend, you might want to take note
of a few additional costs in clearing the border at Beitbridge or Plumtree.
Anyone who has the energy to object should send a note to the Zimbabwean
Tourism Authority at: zta@byo.ztazim.co.zw pointing out how ludicrous these
costs are for a weekend visit!!!

Please pass this email on to any friends, relatives or clients that might be
travelling by road to Zimbabwe from Botswana or SA so they are not caught with
their pants down at the border.

Beit BridgeToll fees one way: R50 (Z$650,000 per vehicle reg in Zim) (return
R100)

Visa Fees as applicable

New Carbon Tax (the KILLER): (valid for 30 days) (terrible if you are only
here for a few days!)

Up to 1500cc US$72 ( approx R432)

1501 to 2000cc US$132 (approx R792!!!)

2001 to 3000cc US$180 (approx R1030!!!)

3001cc and above US$360 (approx R2160!!!!!)

New Road Access Toll: US$10 or R60 per trip (inbound traffic only, I think)
(Z$300,000 for local vehicles).

Imported fuel tax: Z$1,000 per litre PLUS duties payable (payable on
containerised fuel which must be declared and receipted if you don't want it
confiscated by Border Officials or Police in Zim!)

For your info:

Customs Rebate allowed on imported goods: allowed first time entry per
calendar month only - does not apply on second trip even if you did not import
something when you came in the frist time that month...US$300 or R1800 per
person.

Additional toll fees are planned for interior Zim roads. See email from the
Automobile Association below:

Regards

Vanessa Bristow

Beit Bridge, Zimbabwe

MOTORING MATTERS

1. BORDER FEES FOR MOTORISTS VISITING ZIMBABWE:-

Substantial amounts have to be paid in forex by visiting motorists in 2006,
especially with regard to Carbon Tax. It appeared originally that the Carbon
Tax fees announced for visitors were annual fees, but these have since been
confirmed as payable for a 30 day period only.

Carbon Tax:

Up to 1500 cc US$72 for 30 days

1501 cc - 2000 cc US$132 for 30 days

2001 cc - 3000 cc US$180 for 30 days

3001 cc and above US$360 for 30 days


Road Access Toll: Rand 60 or Pula 50 (US$10)

In addition, SA visitors also have to pay:

Beitbridge Toll: Rand 50


2. NEW BEITBRIDGE TOLL FEES:- for Zimbabwean vehicles

Motorcycles Z$325 000,00

Light Vehicle Z$650 000,00

Heavy Vehicle Z$1 840 000,00


3. ROAD ACCESS FEE AT BORDERS:-

Paid on entry only into Zimbabwe

Light Vehicle Z$300 000,00

Heavy Vehicle Z$600 000,00


4. INTER-CITY TOLLS:-

The implementation of these tolls has been delayed until 1st April 2006.
Construction of toll gates at designated points on the National road
network is reportedly already under way. Some known toll-gate locations are:-

147km peg on the Gweru-Byo Rd

47km, 176km, and 343km pegs on Byo-Vic Falls Rd

Fees to be charged are unknown but foreign motorists will no doubt be
expected to pay in forex.

5. CARBON TAX LEVY ON FUEL IMPORTS:-

Private individuals importing fuel are being required to pay Z$1000 / litre
Carbon Tax levy, plus any other duties liable.

6. CURRENCY ALLOWANCE:-

Representations have been made to the Ministry of Finance by the AAZ
regarding the ludicrous situation whereby local residents are only permitted
to export Z$300 000 in cash but are required to pay toll fees on their
return amounting to as much as Z$2,5m (in the case of a heavy vehicle).

AUTOMOBILE ASSOCIATION OF ZIMBABWE

[Vaufi]

Thx for the info. I had wanted to visit ZIM in June, but will probably circumnavigate the country :-(

Jeez, if you deliberately destroy the economy there's nobody left to pay taxes except for the milking cows called tourists...

[mika]

hello,

have to laugh about this. it is so typical for africa, in a way I like it, but in our way of thinking it is so stupid.

just my advise. dont go to there now. in a few years time it will have changed.

Mozambique is a beautiful country, we also enjoyed Zambia and Botswana.

Mika

------------------

[Bundubasher]

This info has been corrected:


1. CARBON TAX PAYMENTS FOR MOTORISTS VISITING ZIMBABWE:-

ZIMRA has published a new notice and apology to the effect that the Carbon Tax fees announced for visiting motorists are in fact annual fees and not monthly fees (as was suspected and despite initial confirmation received from ZIMRA).

The correct payments due for a 30 day period, or part thereof, are as follows:-


Up to 1500 cc US$6

1501 cc - 2000 cc US$11

2001 cc - 3000 cc US$15

3001 cc and above US$30

SOURCE: Automobile Association of Zimbabwe: aazbyo@mweb.co.zw