Just got back from a great Cape buffalo hunt with Guav Johnson in Kazuma.

Word to the wise - keep a copy of your customs declaration form that recites the amount of currency you're bringing in. When you leave, if you don't have that form stamped for the day you arrived, it's a problem. National
Parks needs a copy of that form, or it becomes a mess for the outfitter, and you may not be able to get your trophies back.

This was my 8th trip to Zim and this is the first time this form was even mentioned. Thought I'd give this heads-up. May not be evenly inspected, but don't take a chance.

New one to me. Never heard of it either but I've only been twice.

I think I have been 11 times. Never heard of this either.

Thanks for the heads up.

Does it bother anyone that declaring the cash you have may alert someone who has less than honorable intentions? That always bothers me.

Just went and got back. Absolutely no hassles at all. Nothing of the sort came up. Come to think of it I never filled out a customs declaration form, just the gun forms and paid my $30 entry fee for a temp Visa

dunno??

Rory

All I retained was the entry fee form and the firearms declaration form. Had to go back and get a copy of the customs declaration form at the last minute, which was the cause of some tension.

Ya' never know what they'll look for, except it won't be consistent. Still, can't take a chance and it's best to keep a copy of the declarations form, stamped, for giving to Parks when they ask for it.

Had that issue in Bulawayo last summer. Outfitter warned us.

Thanks for the heads up.

I was not asked to declare currency on my last trip to Zim but will be aware of it now if it happens.

Eighth trip next week and never experienced it before, but thanks for the heads up. Nothing ever surprises me in Zim.
Rob

If you intend to make a payment in cash to the operator then there is a form you complete on arrival!
Without that form ( declaration ), the operator will not be able to acquit your TR2 and hence an issue with export !

quote:

Originally posted by martin pieters:
If you intend to make a payment in cash to the operator then there is a form you complete on arrival!
Without that form ( declaration ), the operator will not be able to acquit your TR2 and hence an issue with export !

So that means that if you pay for your safari by bank transfer, and carry only cash for incidental, you do not need this declaration?

Last year when I flew into Vic Falls they had everybody on the plane declare the funds they had on them on a form you had to present at customs. I only declared $500 U.S. and they charged me $100 U.S., the guy in front of me declared $1000 and he had to pay $200. I was carrying just under 20K in U.S. currency and I sure as hell wasn't going to pay them $4000 at the border. When I was in camp parks wanted to see my currency declaration form and we had a little explaining to do on how I was going to pay for my elephant hunt but it all worked out. I won't be bringing cash in to pay for a hunt again.

If you cross into Zim at beitbridge all they want is a hundred or so to stamp your papers---

quote:

Originally posted by HGC Safaris:
Last year when I flew into Vic Falls they had everybody on the plane declare the funds they had on them on a form you had to present at customs. I only declared $500 U.S. and they charged me $100 U.S., the guy in front of me declared $1000 and he had to pay $200. I was carrying just under 20K in U.S. currency and I sure as hell wasn't going to pay them $4000 at the border. When I was in camp parks wanted to see my currency declaration form and we had a little explaining to do on how I was going to pay for my elephant hunt but it all worked out. I won't be bringing cash in to pay for a hunt again.

They charge a tourist a 20 % " tax " on forex that he wants to spend in their country !!!!!!!!!! I guess it should not surprise us....

quote:

Originally posted by Sean Russell:
If you cross into Zim at beitbridge all they want is a hundred or so to stamp your papers---

This does not solve the problems your outfitter will be stuck with....

quote:

Originally posted by HGC Safaris:
Last year when I flew into Vic Falls they had everybody on the plane declare the funds they had on them on a form you had to present at customs. I only declared $500 U.S. and they charged me $100 U.S., the guy in front of me declared $1000 and he had to pay $200. I was carrying just under 20K in U.S. currency and I sure as hell wasn't going to pay them $4000 at the border. When I was in camp parks wanted to see my currency declaration form and we had a little explaining to do on how I was going to pay for my elephant hunt but it all worked out. I won't be bringing cash in to pay for a hunt again.

So they are charging 20% entry tax??

Talk about cutting the hands that feeds you!

I was quite surprised myself. At first I was thinking it was some sort of scam but they even gave me a receipt and a form claiming they had taken the funds and how much. I'm not sure if there is a limit on what they can charge (tax you) on but I wasn't about to find out either.

Didn't encounter any kind of forex tax or any fee for bringing in currency.I brought in and declared 8,000 without incident.

Eight trips and never heard of that before.

quote:

Originally posted by H T:
Didn't encounter any kind of forex tax or any fee for bringing in currency.I brought in and declared 8,000 without incident.

Eight trips and never heard of that before.

When were you there last?

This is news to me I have to say. You are aloud $10 000 cash in the country- many people come with alot more though- been taxed on cash bought in sounds like a scam to me. We have had more then 10 clients this year and NO problems whats so ever!

I think every time I have gone, the forms required to enter the country asked how much money was in my possession. No one has ever asked a question about this and I certainly never paid a fee. I have been 11 times. The last time was October of 2013.

I figured that it was a new policy adopted by the government at the urging of SOAZ and ZPHGA to give the outfitters advance notice of what they should be trying to shoot for in trophy fees.

Never been an issue for me, although you are asked to declare what cash you had coming in and going out.

Sounds like plain old greed to me
Just " Skin the American" they got the money
One reason I'll never ever go to Mexico in first place. You are nothing but a walking dollar sign
Africa seems to be more like it as their currencies go down the drain and governments are more desperate to get money that are harder and harder to come by, because even European Lib governments are getting smarter about handing out their money
When do people get the fact that biting the hand that feeds you is not a good thing?
Until we quit feeding the hand, that is that simple...

Was there in 2009, before this trip that just ended.

Does anyone have a definitive answer on this? I leave in 10 days.

Marty Vick just returned. Marty, was there any issue?

I'll contact the embassy to see if there's something new afoot. That would put a HUGE dent in their hunting business.

Flew into Bulawayo 2012 w/10k each Wife and myself
claimed it all. Paid nothing for that just the Temp visa fee

4th time into Zim never had this issue same as M T

There are some postings on Google about the intent to impose a 15% VAT on tourism, and the hotels and others fighting it. In particular, it looks like Victoria falls needs to repay some loans to the government from infrastructure improvements made to host a world tourism expo.

I found this as well, which looks as if safari tourism is exempt?:

What is the VAT treatment for services offered to Tourists?

The provision of services to a person who is not a resident of Zimbabwe and who is required under the Exchange Control Act [Chapter 22:05] to pay for such services in foreign currency is zero rated if supplied by-

the operator of a tourist facility designated as such in terms of Statutory Instrument 106 of 1996
the owner of any place( other than a place wherein the owner ordinarily resides) where persons are provided, on payment of a charge, with residential accommodation, whether with or without meals, commonly known as a “boarding house” or “back-packers’ lodge”
the operator of a hunting safari

quote:

Originally posted by Jan Dumon:

quote:

Originally posted by Sean Russell:
If you cross into Zim at beitbridge all they want is a hundred or so to stamp your papers---

This does not solve the problems your outfitter will be stuck with....

It was in 2012, and my PH was driving, he had picked me up in Joberg---I just followed his lead.

At this time there is no VAT charged to foreign tourists. There is a 2% tourism charge that many of you have seen on your daily rates. Zimbabwe does have a VAT tax proposed but is not yet applying it to foreign tourists. We have a trip, (photo safari group) that just completed a safari in Zim this week. They declared the currency they were carrying and had no issues at time of arrival. Pay your thirty dollars for single entry. or $60.00 for multiple entry VISA.

Tim, thanks on the current information.

Tim is correct, pay your entry visa in arrival
Declare cash on the provided form
The 15% VAT on tourism receipts has been put on hold for now, they are reviewing this due to pressure from players in the tourism sector!
There is NO tax on cash!

quote:

Last year when I flew into Vic Falls they had everybody on the plane declare the funds they had on them on a form you had to present at customs. I only declared $500 U.S. and they charged me $100 U.S., the guy in front of me declared $1000 and he had to pay $200. I was carrying just under 20K in U.S. currency and I sure as hell wasn't going to pay them $4000 at the border. When I was in camp parks wanted to see my currency declaration form and we had a little explaining to do on how I was going to pay for my elephant hunt but it all worked out. I won't be bringing cash in to pay for a hunt again.

Martin,

Is there anyway to find out what had happened in the case above?

quote:

Originally posted by Saeed:

quote:

Last year when I flew into Vic Falls they had everybody on the plane declare the funds they had on them on a form you had to present at customs. I only declared $500 U.S. and they charged me $100 U.S., the guy in front of me declared $1000 and he had to pay $200. I was carrying just under 20K in U.S. currency and I sure as hell wasn't going to pay them $4000 at the border. When I was in camp parks wanted to see my currency declaration form and we had a little explaining to do on how I was going to pay for my elephant hunt but it all worked out. I won't be bringing cash in to pay for a hunt again.

Martin,

Is there anyway to find out what had happened in the case above?

Perhaps they were only charging 20% on the smaller dollar values and I was hasty in my decision not to claim all my funds. Or perhaps it was a one plane shake down for some extra cash. I'm glad this is not the norm but again I wasn't taking a chance. Pretty hard to tell them after they gave you a bill for $4000 you were just joking about how much money you were carrying.