How ZIMRA’s New Pay-After-Assessment System Makes Taxes Easier For Businesses

By Advent Shoko

Zimbabwe’s businesses and traders have a reason to cheer. The Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA) has officially launched the Payment After Assessment (PAA) system, a major upgrade in paying taxes for commercial imports and exports. Effective 8 February 2026, duties and taxes can now be paid after assessment, directly by importers and exporters, cutting out intermediaries and extra costs.

The move is expected to speed up customs clearance, reduce disruptions, and create a more predictable process for businesses, traders, and clearing agents alike. ZIMRA said payments are processed through regulated financial institutions, enhancing transparency, accountability, and traceability. Automated reconciliation and strengthened audit trails further improve compliance, the tax authority explained. A ZIMRA spokesperson said:

“The integrated PAA system is a milestone in our digital transformation and trade facilitation. We are committed to making taxes simpler, faster, and more reliable for everyone involved in Zimbabwe’s trade ecosystem.”

Under the system, importers and exporters will now interact directly with ZIMRA for duty and tax payments, eliminating intermediate transfer costs and delays. The platform also fully integrates with participating banks, ensuring real-time payments and audit-ready records.

ZIMRA acknowledged that transitions may take some adjustment and encouraged traders, financial institutions, and clearing agents to cooperate during the rollout. The authority emphasised that the new system will help reduce bottlenecks at ports of entry, making trade smoother and more predictable while boosting compliance and efficiency.

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For many small and medium enterprises, this change is a welcome relief. They will now have more control over their cash flows, pay taxes only when required, and face fewer unexpected fees.