By Patience Gondo
THE Shipping and Forwarding Agents Association of Zimbabwe and other clearing agents’ associations are concerned about the new requirement tied to a professionalisation programme, as the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra) moves to enforce compliance by June 30.
Zimra has proposed that only clearing companies employing personnel registered under the Public Accountants and Auditors Board (PAAB) be licensed to operate.
Clearing agents associations, through their lawyers, have objected to the directive, arguing that customs clearing falls under its own legal and professional framework and should not be regulated as an accounting function.
The dispute comes as the Customs Clearing Agents Professionalisation Programme (CCAPP) is being offered as a pathway for agents to transition into tax accounting.
The programme runs for eight weeks and is conducted online. It requires standard academic qualifications and targets practising clearing agents.
However, concerns have emerged from within the sector over the relevance of the course.
An anonymous clearing agent from Beitbridge said the programme focuses on taxation rather than customs operations and does not improve how clearing businesses function.
He also said the requirement could affect livelihoods, especially with a strict compliance deadline in place.
“We are being forced into something that has nothing to do with our job,” he said.
The agent said the situation is particularly difficult for older business owners who may not be able to return to formal education.
He also questioned why existing academic institutions like NUST or GZU were not used to align or bridge qualifications if the reform was necessary.
In their submission, clearing agents’ associations said the directive was introduced without adequate consultation and could create regulatory duplication.
They maintain that current regulations already require clearing agents to hold relevant qualifications in customs procedures.
The associations have called for the suspension or withdrawal of the directive and are engaging government authorities for clarity.