Used Household Goods and Personal Effects

Documents Required

• Copy of passport certified by Zambia Revenue Authority
• Packing list
• Original bill of lading (OBL) - express release accepted / air waybill (AWB)
• Copy of resident / work permit certified by Zambia Revenue Authority
• Original letter of employment
• 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
• Tax Identification Number 

Specific Information

• Owner of the goods should be in the country prior to shipment arrival.
• Relevant documents must be received by the agent prior to the arrival of the shipment to minimize any port charges.
• Shipper must be present for Customs clearance if requested by Customs for an interview.

Motor Vehicles

Documents Required

• Original passport of owner of the goods
• Original registration card
• OBL / AWB
• Non-sale certificate
• Car invoice (must show purchase price and date of purchase)
• Letter of transfer (from the shipper`s employer)
• Work permit/ resident/ diplomatic ID
• JEVIC certificate (if vehicle is coming from Japan, Singapore, South Africa or UK)

Specific Information

• OBL must include chassis number, engine number, color, model, make and weight of the vehicle.
• The duty rate on new cars is 25% 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

Documents Required

• Veterinary health certificate
• Vaccination record

Specific Information

• 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. 

Restricted/Dutiable 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

Consignment Instructions

Recommended:  Contact the destination agent to ensure all requirements have been met prior to import, especially for differences regarding air / sea shipments.

Helpful Website(s):

https://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/country/zambia.html

http://www.zambiaembassy.org