As part of efforts to strengthen the domestic wine sector, the Zimbabwean government has removed excise duty on imported raw wine for authorized manufacturers. The policy, introduced through Statutory Instrument 68 of 2025, took effect on Friday and is set to remain in force for two years.
The move was taken by the Minister of Finance, Economic Development, and Investment Promotion, Professor Mthuli Ncube, who officially suspended the excise duty.

The amendment revises the 2003 Customs and Excise (Suspension) Regulations, first issued as Statutory Instrument 257. It applies to raw wine under commodity code 2204.29.99 and permits approved domestic producers to import up to 100,000 liters each year without being subject to excise duty.

The government stated that the duty suspension aims to encourage investment, spur innovation, and strengthen the development of Zimbabwe’s local wine industry. The policy aligns with Zimbabwe’s National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1), which focuses on advancing industrialization and developing value chains.

Under the updated framework, only those classified as ‘approved wine manufacturers’ will qualify for the excise duty exemption. The designation applies to importers authorized by the Commissioner of the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA) to import raw wine for processing. To receive the duty exemption, importers are required to submit a signed declaration with every shipment, affirming that the imported raw wine will be exclusively used for production at the approved facility.

By removing excise duty on raw wine imports, the government seeks to reduce production costs for local winemakers. The move is intended to encourage more wineries to shift toward domestic processing rather than depending on imported finished products. As a result, the initiative is expected to generate employment, boost industry revenue, and lower the nation’s import expenditure.

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