DOCUMENTS REQUIRED 
For Foreign Residents:
- Original Passport - The client must be in the country at the arrival of the shipment.
- Original Work Permit
- Copy of Employment Contract
- VALUED packing list in English - Avoid "PBO" or "Miscellaneous" - If new items are included, there should be a detailed inventory of new items in English, dated, valued, and signed by the owner of the goods (bought less than 6 months prior to shipment arrival) attached to the original invoices
- Original Ocean Bill of Lading / Copy of AWB
- Individual TPIN (Tax Payer Identification Number) whether one is paying tax or not it's mandatory
- Declaration of value (for customs purposes) signed and dated by the client.
For Returning Zambians (no diplomatic status):
- Original Passport - The client must be in the country at the arrival of the shipment.
- Certified copies or Original of the letter of appointments / offer of employment abroad
- Certified copies or Original of the terminal / end of contract letter or proof of residence abroad
- VALUED packing list in English - Avoid "PBO" or "Miscellaneous" - If new items are included, there should be a detailed inventory of new items in English, dated, valued, and signed by the owner of the goods (bought less than 6 months prior to shipment arrival) attached to the original invoices
- Original Ocean Bill of Lading / Copy of AWB
- Individual TPIN (Tax Payer Identification Number) whether one is paying tax or not it's mandatory
- Declaration of value (for customs purposes) signed and dated by the client.
For returning Zambian Diplomats:
- Original valid diplomatic passport
- Certified copy or the original of the Letter of recall (Staff recall)
- Certified copy or original of the Letter of the first appointment into Foreign Service
- VALUED packing list in English - Avoid "PBO" or "Miscellaneous" - If new items are included, there should be a detailed inventory of new items in English, dated, valued, and signed by the owner of the goods (bought less than 6 months prior to shipment arrival) attached to the original invoices
- Original Ocean Bill of Lading / Copy of AWB
- Individual TPIN (Tax Payer Identification Number) whether one is paying tax or not it's mandatory
- Declaration of value (for customs purposes) signed and dated by the client.
CUSTOMS REGULATIONS
- Returning nationals, foreign residents and Zambian diplomats having lived abroad for more than 2 years are allowed to import one motor vehicle duty and tax free per household provided the vehicle was registered in the shipper’s name in the country of origin for more than 6 months. The shipment must be imported within 6 months from the date of first arrival in Zambia in order to be granted duty and tax exemption. If the returning national has lived abroad for less than 2 years, the importation of a motor vehicle and personal effects will be subject to Taxation on entering Zambia. The valuation in another country may not satisfy the Zambian Customs as they carry out their own valuation at port of entry. The Zambian Customs value stands and the duties are calculated
and must be paid in Zambian Kwacha prior to leaving the border.
- Returning Zambian Diplomats from the Ministry of Foreign affairs can import one additional motor vehicle for single and two for married people which are NOT duty and Tax free.
The Department of Foreign Affairs pays those Duties and Taxes on behalf of the returning Diplomat by means of Government Voucher. However, the issuing of such vouchers takes up to 3 months from the date of entry. The vehicle cannot get cleared before the voucher is issued, Vehicles belongings to returning Zambian Diplomats can only be cleared in Lusaka. They must therefore be Removed In Bond (RIB) from the border to Lusaka terminal. An extra Bond Fee applies per vehicle.
Bonded storage fees will apply from the tenth day onward.
The Department of Foreign Affairs usually pays for storage charges, unless otherwise stated.
- Document for free entry (for diplomats) requires 20 days to be obtained
- CUSTOMER MUST BE PRESENT FOR CLEARANCE TO AVOID BONDED STORAGE CHARGES
- All shipments must arrive within six months of Customer's arrival
- Owner of the goods should be in the country prior to shipment arrival.
- Customer is to complete Declaration Form
- Original documents must arrive before the shipment
- All shipments containing wooden packing material to be treated and marked as per ISPM-15 compliance.
Customs inspections have become routine and are often declined at destination. Most inspections take place at the border (for road or sea cargo) and at the airport (for air cargo). Inspections usually result in additional handling.
Customs Interviews
Customs is also demanding interviews with transferees on a more regular basis. These interviews must take place at the customs office of entry of the goods (border for road and sea cargo and airport for air cargo), which often requires the transferee to travel to the customs office.
MOTOR VEHICLES
- All motor vehicles, caravans, trailers, motor bikes, quads and boats are cleared separately. The following documents are required:
- Purchase invoice / letter of sale
- Registration documents from origin and ownership document
- INTERPOL clearance certificate / SARPCO (if originating from SADC region - Japan, Singapore, South Africa or UK) JEVIC Certificat
- Details including Engine and Chassis numbers, Color, Model and Make (included on the OBL as well
- The Motor vehicle must have been owned for more than 6 months prior the import into Zambi
- Any car been imported that is 5 years old or older will attract a f
- The duty rate on new cars is 35% of the invoice value + 16% value added tax.The excise duty is 30%. Carbon tax is $30.00
- In order to avoid any unnecessary delays and charges for demurrage and storage due to lengthy Customs procedures, the agent must receive a copy of the required documentation prior to arrival of the shipment; check with agent for specific timeframes.
PETS
- Permission to import animals is required from the Government Veterinary.
- Note: The Government Veterinary is the section under the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock in Zambia that examines animals and issues permits to the exporters and importers.
DUTIABLE/RESTRICTED ITEMS
- Electrical items, 25% of the invoice value and 16% VAT
- Computers, 15% of the invoice value and 16% VAT
- Firearms and ammunition (authorization from the territorial administration is required)
- Alcohol and spirits should be sent separately from a personal effects shipment and are subject to 100% tax.
- Endangered species and any products or parts thereof as outlined by the Washington Convention or CITES (authorization from CITES is required).
- Medication
- Hunting weapons (authorization from the Ministry of Interior is required)
- Cigarettes (200), cigars (50), cigarillos (100), tobacco (500 g), alcohol (2.5 L), spirits (2.5 L)
PROHIBITED ITEMS
- Unlawful drugs
- Narcotics
- Pornography
- Counterfeit items
- Cultural artifacts and other objects of cultural importance
- Henna
- Palm trees and any byproducts
- Explosive materials
- Left hand motor vehicles prohibited