Motorists travelling between South Africa and Zimbabwe with foreign-registered vehicles face tighter checks after the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA) strengthened controls on Temporary Import Permits (TIPs).
In Public Notice Number 60 of 2026, issued on Wednesday, 21 October, ZIMRA said the measures followed the abuse of the facility, which allows qualifying visitors to bring foreign-registered vehicles into Zimbabwe temporarily without paying the full import duty.
The measures are being implemented under the Customs and Excise Act (Chapter 23:02) and the Customs and Excise (General) Regulations, 2001.
Who qualifies for a temporary import permit?
ZIMRA said TIPs may be issued to bona fide visitors who ordinarily reside outside Zimbabwe and enter the country temporarily for tourism, business, study, employment, sporting activities or other lawful purposes.
Zimbabweans living abroad may qualify, provided they meet the relevant requirements.
Applicants must produce a valid passport and the original vehicle registration book.
Anyone driving a vehicle that is not registered in their name must provide a letter of authority or an affidavit.
Zimbabwean residents abroad must also present a work, employment, study or residence permit.
Non-owner-driven vehicles face extra checks
Under the enhanced measures, ZIMRA may subject certain applications to additional verification, particularly where the vehicle is being driven by someone other than its registered owner.
The move comes as the authority seeks to address the abuse of temporary import arrangements.
Motorists should ensure that their documentation is in order before travelling and should not assume that an affidavit or permission letter will automatically result in a permit being issued.
How long can motorists keep their vehicles in Zimbabwe?
ZIMRA said TIPs will ordinarily be issued for no more than 30 days.
Requests for longer stays will be considered individually, but the total period cannot exceed three months.
Applications for extensions must be submitted before the existing permit expires and supported by valid reasons and relevant documentation.
Permit holders must keep their vehicles under their control and cannot dispose of them in Zimbabwe without ZIMRA’s approval.
Vehicles must also be re-exported before the permit expires unless an extension has been granted. Permit holders should not leave Zimbabwe without their vehicles unless prior arrangements have been made with the nearest ZIMRA office.
What are the Vehicle charges at Beitbridge?
ZIMRA lists carbon tax of US$10 (about R165) and third-party insurance of US$30 (about R495) among the applicable charges.
Travellers using Beitbridge Border Post must also pay a US$9 bridge toll fee (about R149) and a US$28 Zimborders fee (about R462).
This brings the listed charges to US$77 (about R1,271), excluding any other applicable costs.
Motorists seeking clarification can contact ZIMRA through BeitbridgePrivateImports@zimra.co.zw or visit the nearest ZIMRA office.