{{The introduction of a new electronic customs clearance system (Single Entry Transit Window) by the Mozambican government is seriously affecting imports and exports into Zimbabwe through the Beira Corridor, it has emerged.}}
It is also understood that the SETW which went into effect on April 1 has resulted in nightmares for many transporters and businessmen at Nyamapanda and Forbes border posts where traffic has been clogged, delaying movement of cargo.
Malawi is reported to be another country experiencing the same problems at their Mwanza and Machipanda borders.
The Herald is reliably informed that most countries now prefer to use the Durban port so as to avoid the chaos and delays at Beira.
President of the Federation of Clearing and Forwarding Association of Southern Africa (FCFASA), Mr Joseph Musariri said in an interview yesterday that they had engaged the Mozambican government over the delays caused by the introduction of a new customs clearance operating system.
He said the worst affected countries were those using the Beira port for trade.
Mr Musariri who is also the chief executive of the Shipping and Forwarding Agents Association of Zimbabwe (SFAAZ) said Beira port authorities had since indicated that they would process manual entries only until May 31 and thereafter revert to the electronic system.
“The situation at Forbes and Nyamapanda border posts is chaotic as a result of a new electronic system introduced by Mozambican customs authorities.
“We are still engaging them (Mozambique) with a view of improving the situation at the borders,” he said.
Mr Musariri said there was a serious inconsistency on how the rules and procedures were applied at that country’s border which had strongly affected most imports/exports from Zimbabwe due to huge additional charges in port storage, truck demurrage, and line demurrage on empty containers.
“As stakeholders, transit agents, and transporters we recommended that customs run the new system in parallel to the JUE — electronic system up to such time that their officials fully understand it and can process clearances quickly,” said Mr Musariri.
He added that on Friday alone over 8 000 manual entries were submitted for processing.
The development comes a few months after the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority struggled to maintain a new Asycuda plus system because of connectivity.
Asycuda is (Automated System for Customs Data) is a more efficient and advanced system for Customs data processing since it is Internet-based.
{Herald}
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