The Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA) has tightened controls on Temporary Import Permits (TIPs) for foreign-registered vehicles following the abuse of the fac...
The Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA) has tightened controls on Temporary Import Permits (TIPs) for foreign-registered vehicles following the abuse of the facility. The new measures, announced in Public Notice Number 60 of 2026 issued on Wednesday, introduce stricter documentation requirements and additional verification procedures for motorists bringing vehicles into Zimbabwe temporarily.
ZIMRA said the measures are being implemented in accordance with the Customs and Excise Act (Chapter 23:02) and the Customs and Excise (General) Regulations, 2001. The authority said Temporary Import Permits are intended for bona fide visitors who ordinarily reside outside Zimbabwe and enter the country for lawful temporary purposes.
According to the notice, eligible visitors may apply for a TIP when entering Zimbabwe for tourism, business, study, employment, sporting activities or other lawful temporary purposes. The permit allows qualifying visitors to bring foreign-registered vehicles into the country temporarily, subject to the applicable customs requirements and conditions.
Under the revised controls, applicants must present a valid passport and the original vehicle registration book. Where the vehicle is not being driven by its registered owner, applicants must also provide a letter of authority or an affidavit. Drivers who are Zimbabwean residents abroad must produce a work, employment, study or residence permit, where applicable.
“Under the new regime, applicants will be required to produce a valid passport, original vehicle registration book, a letter of authority or affidavit where the vehicle is not driven by the registered owner, and a work, employment, study or residence permit if the driver is a Zimbabwean resident abroad,” ZIMRA said in the notice.
The authority said some applications may be subjected to additional verification, particularly where vehicles are being driven by people other than their registered owners. The checks are intended to curb abuse of the temporary import facility and ensure that vehicles entering Zimbabwe under the scheme meet the required conditions.
ZIMRA also clarified the period for which temporary permits may be issued. Under the stated rules, TIPs will ordinarily be granted for periods not exceeding 30 days. Travellers who require longer stays may apply for additional time, but such requests will be considered individually and cannot exceed a total period of three months.
“Requests for longer stays will be considered on a case-by-case basis but cannot exceed a total period of three months,” the authority said.
Motorists who need to extend their permits must submit their requests before the existing permits expire. Applications must be supported by valid reasons and relevant documentation. Travellers are therefore required to make extension arrangements in advance rather than assume that additional time will automatically be granted.
The notice also sets out conditions that permit holders must observe while their vehicles are in Zimbabwe. Vehicles must remain under the control of the permit holder and cannot be disposed of within the country without ZIMRA’s approval. They must also be re-exported before the permit expires unless an extension has been granted.
Permit holders are further required to ensure that their vehicles remain in compliance with the conditions of temporary admission. ZIMRA said permit holders should not leave Zimbabwe without their vehicles unless prior arrangements have been made with the nearest ZIMRA office. The requirement places responsibility on travellers to address any circumstances that may prevent them from departing with their vehicles.
On fees, ZIMRA said travellers will continue to pay US$10 in carbon tax and US$30 for third-party insurance. Motorists using the Beitbridge Border Post will also be required to pay an additional US$9 bridge toll fee and a US$28 Zimborders fee. These charges are separate from the documentation and permit conditions outlined in the notice.
The authority advised travellers seeking clarification to contact their nearest ZIMRA office or use the designated email addresses for enquiries. These are BeitbridgePrivateImports@zimra.co.zw, PlumtreePrivateImports@zimra.co.zw and HararePortMotorTraffic@zimra.co.zw.
The changes affect visitors bringing foreign-registered vehicles into Zimbabwe temporarily and place greater emphasis on documentation, permit duration and compliance with the conditions of entry. Travellers are advised to ensure that their documents are in order, monitor their permit expiry dates and apply for extensions before the existing permits expire.
