Trade agreements that Zimbabwe has entered into

Zimbabwe has entered into a number of trade agreements. The most common trade agreements are of the preferential and/or free trade type which are concluded in order to reduce (or eliminate) tariffs, quotas and other trade restrictions on qualifying products traded between the signatory countries.

The purpose of a Trade Agreement is to stimulate and encourage trade between the countries or group of countries that sign the agreement, by giving one another preferential treatment in the reduction or elimination of customs duties as well as removal/relaxation of quantitative restrictions. Exporters should be able to use this advantage as a marketing strategy to give their products a competitive price incentive to customers in the importing country.

Zimbabwe is a member of some Multilateral Trade Agreements. These are:

• Southern African Development Community (SADC)

• Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA)

• Interim Economic Partnership Agreement (iEPA) with the European Union

Duty and import related taxes constitute a large percentage of the final price for cross border transactions. A reduction or elimination of the duty gives the exporter a substantial advantage in terms of cost over competitors from countries that do not have similar trade agreements. Women entrepreneurs will benefit through a trade agreement they will able to use this advantage as a marketing strategy to give their products a competitive price incentive to customers in the importing country.

COMESA Simplified Trade Regime

Traders with consignments that are below US$1,000 can import with reduced duty rates on specified products.

Bilateral Trade Agreements

Zimbabwe – Mozambique

See details here

Zimbabwe – Botswana

See details here

Zimbabwe – Namibia

See details here

Zimbabwe – Malawi

See details here

 

International Trade Agreements 

1. The interim Economic Partnership Agreement confers quota and duty free access of Zimbabwean products exported into the 28 Member States of the European Union (EU).

2. The Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) offers non-reciprocal preferences (not necessarily duty free) to qualifying products exported to developed countries such as the USA, Canada, Japan, Norway, Russian Federation, Switzerland, the EU, New Zealand and Australia.