Correspondent|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 cant 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Statutory Instrument 122 of 2017 repealed Statutory Instrument 64 of 2016 which required people to get licences to import most goods.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:

Animal oils, fats (lard, tallow and dripping)
Baked beans
Body creams
Bottled Water
Cement
Cereals
Cheese
Coffee creamers
Cooking oil
Crude soya bean oil
Fertiliser
Finished Steel Roofing Sheets
Wheat flour
Ice-cream
Jams
Juice Blends
Margarine
Mayonnaise
Packaging material
Peanut Butter
Pizza base
Potato Crisps
Salad Creams
Shoe Polish
Soap
Sugar
Synthetic Hair Products
Wheel Barrows and wheelbarrow parts
Yoghurts
Agrochemicals
Stockfeeds