Govt temporarily suspends wheat import duty to ease supply pressures

The Zambia Revenue Authority has announced a temporary suspension of customs duty on specified wheat imports in a bid to cushion supply and stabilize prices.

In a public notice issued on Friday, ZRA Corporate Communications Manager, Oliver Nzala, said the measure was provided for under Statutory Instrument No. 65 of 2026, the Customs and Excise (Suspension) (Wheat) (No. 2) Regulations, 2026.

Nzala said the suspension was deemed to have come into effect on 1 September 2026 and will remain in force until 30 September 2026, when the Regulations would stand revoked.

He said under the Statutory Instrument, customs duty on wheat classified under tariff headings 1001.19.00 and 1001.91.90 has been reduced to zero percent.

“The suspension applies only where the wheat is imported by a holder of a valid import permit issued by the Ministry responsible for Agriculture,” Nzala stated.

He also clarified that two other conditions must be met for importers to benefit.

“Only qualifying imports that satisfy the requirements of Statutory Instrument No. 65 of 2026 will benefit from the zero rate of customs duty during the prescribed period,” Nzala emphasized.

He stated that the second condition required that the importer should be one of the companies specified in the Schedule to the Regulations.

Nzala said the quantities imported should be within the respective approved quantities provided in the Schedule.

He said the approved imports under the Statutory Instrument amount to a combined 300,000 metric tonnes of wheat distributed among 26 specified companies.

Nzala warned that the suspension was not a general duty waiver for all wheat importers.

“ZRA would like to emphasise that the suspension is not a general duty waiver for all wheat importers,” he said.

Nzala said importers and clearing agents had been urged to ensure all supporting documentation, including the relevant import permit, was presented at the time of customs clearance to facilitate efficient processing.

He also encouraged eligible importers to closely monitor their approved quantities and undertake importation within the period provided by the Regulations.

“The Authority remains committed to implementing Government fiscal measures transparently and efficiently while facilitating legitimate trade in accordance with the law,” Nzala said.

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