ZRA’s Silent Sabotage: Why Are Small Hybrid Vehicles Missing from the Official Duty Schedule?
By Concerned Citizen Advocate
Since 2021, the UPND-led government has made consistent and repeated pronouncements promoting the transition to green technologies and energy-efficient transportation. One of the flagship commitments has been to encourage the importation of electric and hybrid vehicles, aiming to reduce fuel dependency, lower costs for citizens, and promote climate-resilient development.
But while the presidential directives have been clear and sustained, the Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) appears to be working in contradiction to this national vision—not by opposing the policy outright, but by subtly undermining it at the operational level.
Only Hybrid SUVs Recognized – The Poor Are Excluded
ZRA has published official duty payment schedules that recognize only hybrid SUVs, completely excluding small hybrid vehicles, which are the most affordable and accessible option for ordinary Zambians. Models like the Toyota Vitz Hybrid, Honda Fit Hybrid, or Toyota Aqua, commonly imported by middle- and low-income citizens, are nowhere to be found in the official ZRA classification tables.
This means that when these vehicles are imported, ZRA officials at border posts apply arbitrary and excessive duty charges, far exceeding what is expected—or affordable.
For instance:
• Toyota Vitz (non-hybrid): ~K28,000 in duty
• Toyota Vitz Hybrid: K98,000 to K105,000
This is over 3–4 times more in duty for a vehicle that consumes less fuel, emits less carbon, and is supposed to be promoted by government policy.
A Clear Contradiction of National Policy
The deliberate omission of small hybrids from the duty schedule is not a minor error—it is a fundamental betrayal of a government policy that has been communicated to the public repeatedly over the past three years.
It raises the following urgent questions:
• Why are only hybrid SUVs acknowledged in the duty schedule?
• Why are small hybrid vehicles—used mainly by the poor—excluded from formal classification?
• Is ZRA working at cross-purposes with the President’s green transport policy?
• Who benefits from these omissions and excessive charges?
Border Chaos: Citizens Stuck and Misled
Right now, at border posts like Nakonde, many citizens who imported small hybrid cars in good faith are stuck. They assumed, reasonably, that hybrids would cost less to clear, given government encouragement. Instead, they are shocked with crippling duty bills—not grounded in any published rule or transparent classification.
This situation is not only unjust, it is economically damaging. People are being punished for making responsible, forward-thinking choices—while ZRA remains silent and unaccountable.
A Call to Action: Fix the System, Not the People
We demand immediate action from ZRA and the Ministry of Finance:
1. Immediately update the official duty schedule to include small hybrid vehicles, with clearly defined rates.
2. Recalculate and standardize duty charges for all hybrid vehicles, aligning with government energy-efficiency policy.
3. Refund or provide waivers for those who have already been unfairly charged.
4. Launch a transparent review into how and why hybrid vehicles were selectively omitted in the first place.
Conclusion: The Green Transition Must Not Be for the Elite Alone
What ZRA has done—whether through neglect or intent—is to make green technology accessible only to the wealthy, who can afford hybrid SUVs. This contradicts the President’s repeated promises to lower the cost of energy-efficient vehicles for all Zambians.
We will not remain silent as institutions frustrate the will of the people and the vision of leadership. If Zambia is to make a just and inclusive transition to clean transport, then the ZRA must serve the public—not sabotage them.
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This is a civic demand for fairness, transparency, and alignment between policy and practice. The people deserve better.
John 8:32 “And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
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ZRA is reaping citizens off, how do you apply those exorbitant tariffs? I have failed to understand this approach, it’s sheer greediness. But one asks a question, how do you reap your people in such a manner?
They are doing it because currently the country doesn’t have electricity to charge those cars.
The energy sector is a significant employer in Zambia.ZRA is imposing high taxes on small hybrid cars in order to maintain jobs.The fear is that promoting hybrid cars can offset gains made thus far.You can see by the number and growth of filling stations in recent years.