Published: 17 July 2025

The Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra) has intensified enforcement efforts at the country's borders in response to a surge in counterfeit electronic goods undermining tax compliance and local businesses.

The illicit trade predominantly involves mobile phones, laptops, and accessories falsely marketed as brand new products. This practice has notably expanded in major urban centers, especially within informal retail sectors, fueled by the high retail prices of genuine electronics in formal outlets.

Retailers attribute these inflated prices largely to heavy duties imposed by Zimra, which has inadvertently created a market for smuggled and counterfeit devices.

In light of this growing challenge, the Confederation of Zimbabwe Retailers (CZR) recently appealed to the Zimbabwe Republic Police for urgent multi-agency collaboration to clamp down on illegal operators flooding the market with fake and refurbished gadgets.

Speaking to NewsDay Business, Zimra's corporate affairs manager, Gladman Njanji, emphasized the authority's critical role in protecting intellectual property rights and enforcing customs regulations.

"Zimra plays a key role in protecting intellectual property rights and upholding customs laws to stop the importation of counterfeit goods," Njanji said.

He further explained that the trade in counterfeit electronics not only distorts fair competition but also causes significant losses in tax revenue through smuggling and under-invoicing.

To combat the problem, Zimra has stepped up enforcement through targeted risk profiling and intelligence-driven inspections at border points, working closely with regional customs agencies and rights holders.

"One of the key challenges lies in the sophistication of these operations, driven by advances in ICT. We are constantly adapting our enforcement strategies to keep up," Njanji added.

The corporate affairs manager also urged brand owners to register their trademarks with the Zimbabwe Intellectual Property Office and to promptly report infringements, facilitating the seizure and forfeiture of counterfeit goods.

Echoing concerns, CZR acting chief executive officer Tapiwa Marimo said the growing influx of counterfeit and refurbished electronics was severely impacting legitimate businesses.

"The proliferation of counterfeit and refurbished electronic goods, particularly mobile phones, laptops, and accessories being deceptively sold as new, has become a growing concern in Zimbabwe," Marimo stated.

As the crackdown intensifies, Zimra and industry stakeholders hope the combined efforts will restore integrity to the electronics market and safeguard revenue critical to Zimbabwe's economy.
- Newsday

You might also want to read this

• Zimbabweans fume over 'extortionate' car duty valuations
• Zimra faces deepening tax enforcement crisis
• Zimra surpasses revenue target by 10%
• ZIMRA waives fines for undeclared vehicles
• Private sector, experts hail Zimra's TaRMS tax regime
• 17 tonnes of T-shirts land Zimra officials, NGO director in court
• Zimra in tax compliance drive
• ZIMRA delays Prospect's bid to increase stake in Arcadia
• Companies, parastatals default paying tax: Zimra boss
• Zimra sweats over tax defaulters