NamRa Introduces Tough Conditions For Ex-UK Second Hand Cars

By: Staff writer
The Namibian Revenue Agency (NamRA) says the loss of revenue due to dishonest importers is what led to amendments to custom laws effective 1 March.
The amendments mean that any second hand car transiting through Namibia can only do so in a car trailer and not on its own wheels.
“The amendments came as a result of deviation or dishonesty among some importers, whereby imported vehicles are previously declared as in transit but end up in the local market, and later on get registered with Natis without paying the required import taxes.
So to curb this unscrupulous practices, Namra made the amendments that require all these second hand vehicles in transit through Namibia to only do so on a car carrier trailer, and will not be permitted to transit on their own wheels,” NamRa’s public relations officer Tonateni Shidhudhu told The Villager.
According to the agency, these amendments came out of observations and after some information that was received through their intelligence, some of these cars ended up on the local market.
“It’s a very serious matter. It has negative consequences to our economy because these cards have not paid the required import taxes, and the revenue we collect through customs goes to state coffers to fund development projects in the country,” Shidhudhu said.
Cars imported by Zimbabweans from the United Kingdom transit through Namibia and previously, one would be allowed to drive a car through Namibia on its way to Zimbabwe, but NamRa says not anymore, starting 1 March.
“The Namibia Revenue Agency (NamRA) herewith informs vehicle importers and the public that with effect from 1 March 2023, all second-hand motor vehicles will be required to transit through Namibia only when on a car carrier trailer and no second-hand motor vehicle will be allowed to transit on its own wheels,” NamRa said in a statement.
“This amendment to the Customs and Excise Rules of Designation of Places of Entry, Authorised Roads and Routes, and Related Issues: Customs and Excise Act, 1998 (Act No. 20 of 1998), results from observed deviation were imported vehicles are dubiously declared as in transit but end up in the local market and subsequently registered on the National Traffic Information System (NaTIS) database without paying the required import taxes,” the agency added.
“This notice is issued in accordance with Government Notice No. 403 published in Government Gazette No. 7978 of 15 December 2022, Paragraph 2(a)(1)(b). Second-hand motor vehicles referred herein are specified in Annexure A of the Government Gazette No. 5293 of 23 September 201,” NamRa stated.
Since the Zimbabwean car industry has been in a dire state for decades, many Zimbabweans can only afford second-hand cars, with some importing from the UK while some get them from Japan.