Retired Senior Civil Servants to Import Duty-Free Cars
Retired senior public servants in Zimbabwe can now import cars duty-free under a new policy announced this week. The policy allows retired civil servants from chief director level up to permanent secretary to import a vehicle worth between US$40,000 to US$60,000 depending on their grade.
The import must take place within five years of retirement. The imported vehicle must be less than 10 years old.
To qualify, the retired civil servant must submit an application letter, a letter from their former ministry confirming their retirement date and position, and a copy of their driver’s license.
The new policy aims to help senior public servants who lose access to a government vehicle after retirement. Last year, lower-level public servants were also allowed to import vehicles worth up to US$10,000 duty-free while still employed.
Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube gazetted Statutory Instrument 134 of 2023 to introduce the policy for retired senior staff. The move could help retired senior government employees replace vehicles they lose after their retirement. However, critics may argue it is an unnecessary perk amid Zimbabwe’s economic challenges.
