Importing Personal Effects into Zimbabwe: Documents & Customs Rules

Source: FIDI Customs Guide · Updated 2023 · Download the Zimbabwe Import Guide (PDF)

Household goods and personal Effects.

• Immigrants or returning residents after an absence of not less than 2 years:
• The immigrant's declaration.
• Undertaking Form 170 for personal and household effects issued in Zimbabwe.
• The person's valid passport.
• Residence or Work Permit.
• The Bill of Lading or AWB.
• Inventory with serial numbers of electrical appliances.
• Valued inventory.
• Bill of lading / airway bill.
• For returning residence who have been working/studying out of Zimbabwe: proof of termination of employment / completion of studies is required.
• Bank statement for the last 6 months.
• Payslips for the past 2 years.
• Proof of residence in Zimbabwe, either utility bill or lease agreement (first and last page).
• Exit stamp when left Zimbabwe.
• Accepted returning resident stamp i.e. Accepted RR.
• Refrigerators, air conditioners, freezers, washing machines, dishing machine required import licence from Ministry of Environment (ODS Licence).
• Returning residents after an absence of less than two years:
• Immigrant's declaration.
• Undertaking Form.
• Valid passport.
• Proof of original export if it is a reimportation.
• Invoice/receipts of goods being imported since the goods will be paying duty and taxes and this will be is USD.
• Valued Inventory.
• Bill of lading / airway bill / road manifest.
• Proof of residence in Zimbabwe, either utility bill or lease agreement (first and last page).
• Freight Invoice.
• Refrigerators, air conditioners, freezers, washing machines, dishing machine required import licence from Ministry of Environment (ODS LICENCE).
• Furniture requires import permit from Ministry of Environment (ODS Licence).
• Deceased estates - Goods forwarded to Beneficiaries in Zimbabwe:
• Certified copy of Will.
• Copy death certificate.
• Inventory of items in Beneficiary name.
• Letter from High Court stating that you are the beneficiary and the beneficiary has inherited the goods Bill of lading / airway bill / road manifest.
• Statement of value of goods by the executor of the estate.
• Letters of executorship
• Valued inventory.
• Freight Invoice.
• Written undertaking not to sell or dispose of the goods within one year of importation.
• Refrigerators, air conditioners, freezers, washing machines, dishing machine required import licence from Ministry of Environment (ODS LICENCE).
• Furniture requires import permit from Ministry of Environment (ODS Licence).
• Work permit:
• Immigrant's declaration.
• Undertaking Form.
• Valid passport.
• Work permit.
• Inventory of goods.
• Valued Inventory.
• Bills of lading / airway bill / road manifest.
• Proof of residence in Zimbabwe, either utility bill or lease agreement (first and last page).
• Letter of contract from new employ in Zimbabwe.
• 3-6 months bank statement.
• Refrigerators, air conditioners, freezers, washing machines, dishing machine required import licence from Ministry of Environment (ODS LICENCE).

• Household goods exclude firearms, motor vehicles, motor caravans.
• No customs duties if the client has a work or residence permit.
• No customs duties applicable if the client is a returning resident and has lived outside Zimbabwe for more than 2 years.
• Duties will be applicable if the client has lived for less than 2 years outside Zimbabwe

• All immigrants are required to be physically present at Customs for customs clearance.
• No imported goods may be sold, leased or otherwise disposed of for 24 months from their date of entry, unless customs duties are paid.
• All personal effects and household goods must be imported within three months after the returning resident’s time of arrival or after the time the work or resident permit has been granted to an immigrant.
• It takes about two days to clear through customs for returning residence and those coming on residence/work permit.
• Goods must arrive within three months from the time the client arrival into Zimbabwe from date on passport.
• Client to apply for the import licence Ministry of Environment before the shipment is dispatched from the country of origin.

Diplomats' removals

• Inventory of goods.
• Valued Inventory.
• Bill of lading / airway bill / road manifest.
• Passport.
• Diplomatic card / Accreditation.
• C152 from Embassy in Zimbabwe.
• This C152 is applied for by Embassy to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and this will be used to clear the goods.
• Bill of lading / Air Way Bill.

• All documents, duly completed and signed by the diplomat must be submitted to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Customs for clearance.

• Diplomatic shipments must be imported within three months after the time of the diplomat’s arrival.
• Diplomats first clear their Goods through Ministry of Foreign Affairs and then customs. Clearance with Ministry of Foreign Affairs takes Four to Fourteen days and less than a day at customs.

Wedding trousseaux

• Original invoice and freight statement.

• Accompanied luggage:
• Customs will assess the value of presents/souvenirs and if value exceeds USD300.00 per individual duty is payable on the excess amount.
• Unaccompanied luggage:
• Customs will need proof that the traveller owns consignment, or customs will charge import duty on full value.

Inheritance

• Copy of Will.
• Death Certificate.
• Letter from Executor.

• No duty payable.

New furniture and household goods

• Require invoices and freight statement
• Bill of lading if applicable
• Packing list

• Subject to duty and VAT.
• Subject to import licences and permits.

• Not applicable for new immigrants.
• Requires ODS Licence and Import permit.

Works of art, antiques

• Same as above.

• Same as above.

Alcoholic beverages

• Persons visiting Zimbabwe and Zimbabwean residents returning to their country, aged at least 18 years, may import a maximum of 2 litres of alcoholic drink, of which not more than 2 litres may be spirits.

Dangerous goods

• Are subject to import control.
• Applications should be made in the case of firearms and ammunitions to the Secretary of Home Affairs.

Citrus fruits, deciduous plants, seeds

• May not be imported unless an import licence has been obtained in advance from the competent agricultural authorities and a Phytosanitary certificate is required.
• Port Health Certificate is required.

• Phyto-sanitary to be applied under Ministry of Lands, Agriculture and Rural Resettlement.

Drugs, pornographic books, forged documents, counterfeit money

• Importation is prohibited.

Foodstuff

• Importation is restricted.
• Subject to import controls.

Agricultural equipment

• Commercial invoice
• Packing list
• Bill of Lading / Airway bill

• Duty free.
• Subject to import controls.

Zimbabwe Moving Guide: Documents, Duties & Shipping Notes

Source: IAM Country Guide · Updated 2026-09-05 · Download the Zimbabwe Country Guide (PDF)

Documents

Documents required for importing used household goods, personal effects, and related shipments.

• Original passport
• Original bill of lading (OBL), express release, or air waybill (AWB)
• Original detailed inventory with serial numbers of all electrical appliances
• Original packing list with values stated in USD, in English
• Freight invoice (for customs clearance purposes)
• Resident permit, work permit, or letter of employment

• Letter of appointment from the organization in Zimbabwe
• The resident stamp, work permit, or letter of employment must explain the details of the new contract in Zimbabwe

• Payslips for the past 2 years
• Bank statement for the past 6 months
• Exit stamp showing when the owner of the goods left Zimbabwe (required for interview with Customs)

• Report order letter from the Embassy in Zimbabwe
• Diplomatic ID card
• Duty exemption letter from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Zimbabwe

Specific Information

Diplomatic Shipments: A duty exemption letter from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs must be obtained before clearance. The Embassy in Zimbabwe initiates this process. Coordinate timing carefully to avoid storage charges while the exemption letter is being obtained.

ISPM 15: All wooden packing materials must comply with ISPM 15 phytosanitary treatment standards.

The owner of the goods must be present during Customs clearance. Customs will inspect all shipments.

Duties & Taxes

Duty-Free Eligibility: Goods must be household goods and personal effects only. Diplomats are exempt from duties. Returning Zimbabwean citizens who have lived abroad for 2 or more years are also exempt from duties — this exemption mirrors the diplomatic exemption and requires documentation demonstrating the 2-year period of residence abroad (payslips and bank statements are the standard supporting evidence; Customs will conduct an interview with the returning resident).

Prohibited & Restricted Items

• Narcotics and illegal drugs
• Explosive materials
• Foreign soil
• Pornographic, defamatory, or obscene publications
• Cultural artifacts and objects of cultural importance
• Henna
• Palm trees and any products thereof

Wine and spirits: 2 liters duty-free allowance per person.

Cigarettes: 200 cigarettes duty-free per person.

Plants and seeds: An agricultural certificate and phytosanitary certificate are required (obtain from the Embassy in the origin country). [PERMIT REQUIRED]

Animals: Agricultural certificate and phytosanitary certificate required (obtain from the Embassy in the origin country). [PERMIT REQUIRED]

Medication: Subject to import controls. Controlled substances require prior authorization.

Firearms and ammunition: Authorization from the territorial administration is required. [PERMIT REQUIRED]

Endangered species and CITES-listed products: Authorization from CITES required. [CITES / PERMIT REQUIRED]

Consignment Instructions

Contact the destination agent to ensure all requirements have been met prior to import, especially for differences between air and sea shipments.

Owner Presence Required. The owner of the goods must be present during Customs clearance. This is a firm requirement in Zimbabwe — clearance cannot be completed in the owner's absence. Coordinate travel and shipping dates accordingly.

All Shipments Inspected. Customs will physically inspect all shipments. This adds time to the clearance process and may add examination costs. Ensure the inventory is accurate, itemized, and includes serial numbers for all electrical appliances.

Returning Citizens — Interview. Customs will conduct an interview with returning Zimbabwean citizens claiming the duty exemption. The client must bring their payslips for the past 2 years and bank statements for the past 6 months, along with their passport showing the exit stamp from when they departed Zimbabwe. Prepare clients for this interview in advance.

Diplomatic Exemption Letter Lead Time. The duty exemption letter from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs must be in hand before clearance begins. Storage and demurrage charges accumulate while this letter is being obtained. Advise diplomatic clients and their embassies to initiate the request promptly.

Pet Import Permit (Non-SADC Countries). For pets from countries other than the six SADC exempted states (Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Namibia, South Africa), the import permit must be obtained from the Director of Animal Health well before travel. The permit is valid for 6 months. Allow sufficient time for processing.

Currency Note. Zimbabwe has experienced significant currency instability. Packing list values must be stated in USD. Confirm with the destination agent how duties and fees are currently being assessed and paid, as the currency and payment environment can change.

ISPM 15. All wooden packing materials must comply with ISPM 15 phytosanitary treatment standards.