The government has suspended Statutory Instrument 122 of 2017 until the economic situation in the country returns to normal. This
means that citizens who have access to “free funds” will be able to import a wide range of products into the country without restriction. The
government made the decision to lift the restrictions on the importation of basic commodities after noting the price increases and persistent shortages of basic goods, particularly cooking oil and sugar. The decision was announced at a post-cabinet briefing which was
attended by Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube, Information Minister Monica Mutsvangwa, Attorney General Prince Machaya, Acting Minister
of Industry Sekai Nzenza and Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet Misheck Sibanda.
Ncube made it clear that while people will no longer need licences to import the basics they will still need to pay duty to Zimra. However,
Ncube stressed that this was a temporary measure. Speaking at the briefing, Mutsvangwa
said:”We continue to support local
manufacturing industries. We will
continue to do allocations for forex for the said companies. But we cannot allow a situation where people cannot get basic commodities. Hence the decision
to suspend the SIs.Statutory Instrument 122 of 2017 repealed
Statutory Instrument 64 of 2016 which required people to get licences to import most goods. The goods which people will be able to import without requiring licences are:
1. Animal oils, fats (lard, tallow and dripping)
2. Baked beans
3. Body creams
4. Bottled Water
5. Cement
6. Cereals
7. Cheese
8. Coffee creamers
9. Cooking oil
10. Crude soya bean oil
11. Fertiliser
12. Finished Steel Roofing Sheets
13. Wheat flour
14. Ice-cream
15. Jams
16. Juice Blends
17. Margarine
18. Mayonnaise
19. Packaging material
20. Peanut Butter
21. Pizza base
22. Potato Crisps
23. Salad Creams
24. Shoe Polish
25. Soap
26. Sugar
27. Synthetic Hair Products
28. Wheel Barrows and wheelbarrow parts
29. Yoghurts
30. Agrochemicals
31. Stockfeeds