Not all types of shipments are created equal. Shipping a television will
require different paperwork, duties, and taxes than shipping an accounting
statement, for example.
Here is a list of the most common types of shipments:
You can also skip ahead to the table containing the list of
Commonly Required Documents.
The following items will be allowed entry into Zimbabwe as a document
shipment:
- Annual reports
- Bids
- Blueprints
- Cash letters
- Computer print-outs
- Drawings (includes sepia drawings)
- Driver's licence
- Examination papers
- Graphs
- Intercompany mail
- Manuscripts
- Negatives
- Passports
- Photographs
- Price lists
- Proposals
- Seismic data
- Specifications sheets
- Visa applications
Zimbabwean customs will allow the following to enter Zimbabwe as a
document if they comply with the restriction shown.
| Item | Restriction |
|---|
| Airline tickets | Only if validated |
| Cheques | Cannot be blank |
| Diplomas | Only if they have no commercial value |
| Event tickets (e.g., soccer matches, concerts, shows) | Cannot be a shipment from a printing company to an event
organiser or ticket sales office |
| Newsletters | Only if they are for intercompany use |
| Transparencies | Only if the importer has an Open General Import Licence |
| Traveller's cheques | Only if personalised |
Sources:
https://www.ups.com/ga/CountryRegs?loc=en_CA
Residents of Zimbabwe are allowed to receive a shipped gift duty-free
up to the value of $75* USD (about $95 CAD) provided:
- The gift is unsolicited
- There is no more than one shipment every 30 days
- Does NOT contain alcoholic beverages
- It cannot be commercial goods
*This value includes transportation fees.
Shipments from Individual-to-Individual
Gift shipments to an individual in Zimbabwe from an individual in
Canada may enter the country duty-free as long as it is not for
commercial purposes, and:
- The value of the shipment is no more than $75 USD (about $95 CAD),
which includes shipping costs
- It is NOT an alcoholic drink
- The recipient has NOT requested the item
- It is the only shipment in a 30-day period
Shipments from Business-to-Business
Gift shipments from a business in Canada to a business in Zimbabwe
will incur duties and taxes regardless of the value of the gift.
Shipments from Business-to-Individual
If a business in Canada ships a non-commercial gift to an individual
in Zimbabwe, it will be allowed a duty-free entry into the country.
The conditions for a duty exemption include:
- The gift is non-alcoholic
- Value of the parcel is no more than $75 USD (about $95 CAD),
inclusive of freight costs
- It is a true gift, i.e. it has not been requested by the recipient
- Only one shipment per 30 day period is allowed
Gift Checklist
- A commercial invoice must be included with your shipment
- The words 'Gift Shipment' or 'Unsolicited Gift' are included on the
commercial invoice, even if the shipment is sent at Christmas time (see sample)
- List the items in the parcel and write the value of each
- Sending more than one gift in the parcel? Wrap and tag each one
individually.
Sample Commercial Invoice for Gifts
Multiple Gifts in One Shipment
A shipment with multiple gifts should have each gift wrapped and
tagged separately.
Sample Commercial Invoice for Gifts
Sources:
https://www.zimra.co.zw/customs/customs-rebates/gift-rebate
Shipped personal effects will be admitted duty and VAT free into
Zimbabwe provided:
- The claimant is moving for work purposes or to take up permanent
residence
- The individual has lived outside of Zimbabwe for 24 months or more
- The goods belong to the claimant and are for his or her personal
use, or that of the family
NOTE:
The exemption will be
granted to an individual only once for each employment contract or for
an immigrant coming to Zimbabwe for the first time.
Moving Temporarily
Students
Students shipping their personal effects to Zimbabwe will be allowed a
duty- and VAT-free entry of their goods if they are registered in any
educational institution in the country.
Non-students
Non-students who come to Zimbabwe for a temporary stay, but remain
because of an employment contract or a permit to reside, will be
allowed to ship their personal effects exempt from duties and VAT.
NOTE:
The exemption may be claimed
only once, and the shipment must arrive within 3 months of having been
granted a residency permit.
Moving Permanently
Individuals and their families who move permanently to Zimbabwe will
be allowed a duty- and VAT-free entry of their personal effects if:
- The claimant has resided outside of the country for a minimum of 2
years
- The items are the property of the individual (or that of his or her
family), and only for their use
- They have resident permit or an employment contract
NOTE:
The exemption will be
granted once for each employment contract; or in the case of
immigration if it is the first application to move permanently.
Personal Effects Checklist
- A commercial invoice must be included with your shipment
- Commercial invoice must clearly indicate 'Personal Effects' (see sample)
- A detailed description of each item is provided
- For those moving for employment or taking up residence, a proof of
employment or a resident permit is required
Sources:
https://www.zimra.co.zw/customs/customs-rebates/traveler-s-rebate
Sample Commercial Invoice for Personal Effects
Zimbabwean customs officials place restrictions on a number of
agricultural goods, plant products as well as sugar, milk (powder and
liquid), and biscuits.
NOTE:
All shipments of foodstuffs
entering Zimbabwe are subject to an inspection; there may be delays
clearing goods.
You May Ship
Do Not Ship
- Perishable items - produce, meat, fish
Food, Chocolate, Candies Checklist
- Clearly indicate 'Food' on the commercial invoice in the General Description
or Remarks section (see sample)
- Ensure that your food, chocolate, or candies may be imported into the
country
- You are not shipping commercial quantities (for any duty & tax exemption)
- Check with your carrier that they will accept food shipments
Sources:
https://www.zimra.co.zw/customs/restricted-and-prohibited-goods
https://www.fedex.com/en-us/ancillary-clearance-service.html
Sample Commercial Invoice for Food, Chocolate, Candies
Samples are sent abroad for the purposes of promoting products or
soliciting sales.
Commercial samples shipped to Zimbabwe for display at an exhibition or
a trade fair will be granted a duty-free exemption if they stay no
longer than 1 year* in the country.
The shipment may require a guarantee from an insurance company,
commercial bank, or with a cash deposit.
*An extension may be granted with a request to customs officials.
Commercial Sample Checklist
- A Commercial Invoice must be included with your shipment
- Clearly indicate 'Commercial Samples' on the commercial invoice in the
General Description & Detailed Description of Goods (see sample)
- The item shipped has tearing, perforation, slashing, defacing, or has
permanent marking clearing indicating the item as commercial sample
Sources:
https://www.zimra.co.zw/news/2113:application-for-temporary-importation-priviledges-atip
Sample Commercial Invoice for Commercial Sample
Advertising material in the form of a display for use at trade fairs
and other exhibitions may enter Zimbabwe exempt from duties.
The exemption is conditional on:
- The materials staying for a maximum of 12 months in the country
(this may be extended through an official request)
- A guarantee is provided through a commercial bank or insurance
company, or a cash deposit
Advertising Material Checklist
- Commercial invoice must clearly indicate 'Promotional Material - Not for
Resale' (see sample)
- A detailed description of each item is provided
Sources:
https://www.zimra.co.zw/news/2113:application-for-temporary-importation-priviledges-atip
Sample Commercial Invoice for Promotional Material
Goods - machinery and equipment - from Zimbabwe that are repaired in
Canada outside of a warranty obligation will incur no duty on the cost
of the repairs when they are returned to Zimbabwe.
No charge warranty repairs, however, will be allowed a total duty-free
return to Zimbabwe.
Items Under Warranty
Equipment and machinery sent to Canada for warranty repairs done at no
charge will be allowed a duty-free re-entry into Zimbabwe.
Items No Longer Under Warranty
Goods repaired in Canada that are no longer under warranty will be
liable to Zimbabwean duty fees on the cost of the repair work.
Sending Product for Repair to Zimbabwe
There is no information available at this time concerning products
shipped to Zimbabwe from Canada for repairs.
Returning Repaired Product to Zimbabwe
Equipment repaired in Canada will incur duties on the cost of repairs
only when the item is returned to Zimbabwe. However, if the work was
done at no charge as part of a warranty, no customs duties will be
applied.
Repair Checklist
- Commercial invoice must clearly indicate 'REPAIR & RETURN' under the General
Description or Remarks, and include the estimated time of return(see sample)
- Include repair contract with shipment
- Serial or product number and the cost of repairs should be indicated under
the Detailed Description of Goods section
- Include the original shipping documents or tracking number from when the
item was first exported to Zimbabwe or exported to Canada (depending on
which case applies)
- A commercial invoice must be included with your shipment
Sources:
https://www.zimra.co.zw/customs/customs-rebates/goods-temporarily-exported
Sample Commercial Invoice for Warranty Repair
Goods of a temporary nature may be imported into Zimbabwe exempt from
duties. A duty exemption requires the following conditions:
- The items stay in Zimbabwe no more than 1 year
- A guarantee is provided by a commercial bank, insurance company, or
with a cash deposit
Temporary imports may include items such as:
- Commercial samples
- Advertising materials
- Equipment required for a concert or stage production
- Machinery or equipment for contract work in Zimbabwe
- Scientific instruments and apparatuses for educational or research
purposes
- Books from an international library to an individual for research
purposes
- Television equipment
ATA Carnets
Zimbabwe does not recognise ATA Carnets for the temporary importation
of goods.
Temporary Imports Checklist
- Commercial Invoice clearly stating 'Temporary Import'. This must be written
in the General Description section and the Detailed Description of Goods. (see sample)
- The goods arrive and leave in the same condition, i.e. they undergo no
repairs nor are they used in manufacturing
- Stay no longer than the period listed above
- Include your ATA Carnet with your shipment (if applicable)
- Include the expected return date or the date that it was originally received
within the country (whichever applies)
- Any above listed items not listed in this checklist
Sources:
https://www.atacarnet.com/carnet-countries
https://www.zimra.co.zw/news/2113:application-for-temporary-importation-priviledges-atip
https://docs.wto.org/dol2fe/Pages/SS/directdoc.aspx?filename=q:/WT/TPR/S398.pdf&Open=True
Sample Commercial Invoice for Temporary Imports
