• This is aimed at enhancing efficiency and improving the turnaround time in clearance and movement of goods at all borders.
• Any consignment that arrives at the border without a Customs declaration will be subjected to a penalty of 1, 667 fee units equivalent to K500.10.
• Stakeholders should comply with this requirement.

Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) says it will start implementing mandatory pre-clearance of commercial goods effective 1st May, 2024.

Authority Corporate Communications Manager Oliver Nzala said in a statement that this is aimed at enhancing efficiency and improving the turnaround time in clearance and movement of goods at all borders.

Mr. Nzala warned that any consignment that arrives at the border without a Customs declaration will be subjected to a penalty of 1, 667 fee units equivalent to K500.10.

He explained that the Authority has already communicated to the clearing agents, transporters, importers, exporters, and the general public to the effect that no truck will be allowed into the customs area without documentary evidence showing that the goods have been pre-cleared.

“Under the pre-clearance facility, clearing agents or importers lodge the necessary importation documents with ZRA prior to the arrival of the goods into the country. When the goods arrive at the border, there would be less time taken to process the clearance, which usually is not the case when all processes are being time at once.”

“In this case, what will be done is the mere verification of the goods, and this reduces the time goods spend at one point before getting to the final destination,” Mr. Nzala explained.

He urged stakeholders to comply with the requirement because the Authority wants to lessen the time cargo is kept at the border.

“In addition, any false declarations or provisions of false information related to these importations and exportations will lead to punitive measures, including possible seizure of the goods,” he added.