What are small scale cross-border traders?
What is the Simplified Trade Regime (STR)?
What documents are required for the STR and where can I get them?
Having the right documents, and knowing where to get them, even before you get to the border, will save you a lot of time, energy, if not trouble.
In order for to best prepare for you trip to the border, and make the crossing to the other side without too many hassles, kindly follow these steps:
Where can you get the Common List of Products?
The Common List of Products, which is agreed between the governments of Malawi and Zambia, can be obtained in the border premises, from Customs or the TIDO. However, getting hold of the list there can sometimes be a challenge. Therefore, attempts are currently made to make the List available electronically/online, i.e.:
The Simplified Customs Declaration Document is required to declare the goods with Customs and the form can be obtained from the TIDO or Customs office.
The STR does not necessarily exempt you from some of the standard charges for importing products and goods into the neighbouring country. STR exempts you from import duty only.
Domestic taxes in the destination country can include excise duty and value-added tax (VAT) and withholding tax and all these are payable where they apply.
The Simplified Certificate of Origin is no longer required to clear goods under the STR since the Ministers decided on this in 2011.
Getting information at the border
Under the COMESA STR, and where the STR is being fully implemented, so-called Trade Information Desks have been established, manned by Trade information Desk Officers (TIDOs) and these offices provide STR related information to traders.
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