Under the framework of the EU-WCO Rules of Origin Africa Programme, funded by the European Union, the World Customs Organization, in partnership with Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA), held an advanced training workshop on Rules of Origin for Zimbabwe Customs. The workshop was held in Harare, Zimbabwe, from 31 March to 4 April 2025 with the objective to assist Zimbabwe Customs in enhancing its knowledge and application of preferential Rules of Origin and contribute to a seamless implementation of the AfCFTA and other relevant FTAs.

This workshop builds on the acquis from an intermediate training conducted in 2024 and forms part of a comprehensive technical assistance and capacity building partnership with ZIMRA in its capacity as a WCO Regional Training Center.

In his closing remarks, Mr Samuel Sthole, Acting Director Human Capital, thanked the WCO and the EU for their continued support and commended the participants who, through their active participation and engagement, have now become part of the ZIMRA pool of origin experts. He urged the participants to continue to acquire knowledge and to impart this knowledge on others to provide trade facilitation, increase revenue collection and ensure fairness in support of the ZIMRA mission.

During the workshop, participants deepened their understanding of how to navigate a free trade agreement, and looked into the details of key concepts for proper origin determination, including possible flexibilities such as cumulation, tolerance rules and the absorption principle, as well as related operational and procedural issues, including origin certification and verification. Case studies made the concepts more tangible and relatable, and allowed the participants to detangle the spaghetti bowl of Rules of Origin in various free trade agreements applicable in Zimbabwe, including SADC, COMESA and the AfCFTA.

Participants also had the opportunity to observe the practical application and management of rules of origin through a field visit to a diary product factory where they were walked through the complex production line from fresh milk to the manufacturing and packing of cheese, yoghurt and ice cream.

The EU-WCO Rules of Origin Africa Programme will continue its work with ZIMRA to equip Customs officials with extended knowledge for efficient implementation and application of Rules of Origin. As a next step, the Programme will conduct a training of trainers which will pave the way for Customs to further disseminate their knowledge to colleagues as well as to other relevant stakeholders.

For further information please contact EU-WCORoOAfrica.Program@wcoomd.org