Quick info guide

‣ The Trade Information Desk at selected border posts is a useful tool for women traders

Business opportunities for cross border traders

‣ Zimbabwe’s consumer goods like processed cereals, fermented drinks and curios are some of the main export products. 

‣ Clothes, solar panels and gas cooking products are some of the products imported into Zimbabwe

Export quality and standards

The Standards Association of Zimbabwe certifies the quality of non-medical goods produced or imported into the country.

The Quality Control Department carries out product certification at:

17 Coventry Road
Workington, Harare
Tel: +263 24 2753 800-2

Contact information

Standards Association of Zimbabwe
Northend Close, Northridge Park, Borrowdale, Harare.
Tel: +263 242 882017/8/9, 242882021, 242885511/2
Fax: +263 242 882020
Web: http://www.saz.org.zw

Information for cross border traders in Zimbabwe

One of the mandates of  the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra) is to facilitate trade and travel. This is achieved by ensuring smooth movement of goods and people through inland and border ports of entry/exit. Currently Zimbabwean cross border traders do not need a Visa to enter the Democratic Republic of Congo.  For consignments of USD 1000 and below no duty is payable.

COMESA Simplified Trade Regime

COMESA has come up with a simplified Customs clearance procedure for its Member States that can be used by small scale cross border traders to facilitate easy import and export of their goods. The simplified clearance procedure is called the COMESA Simplified Trade Regime (STR).
angle-left Zimbabwe Cross Border Traders Association (ZCBTA)

Zimbabwe Cross Border Traders Association (ZCBTA)

Zimbabwe Cross Border Traders Association (ZCBTA) was formed in April 2000. It has gained recognition from the government and regional bodies such as COMESA, including COMESA doing a study of ZCBTA structures/systems and resolving to adopt and adapt the ZCBTA model for replication in COMESA and EAC countries.

ZCBTA also successfully lobbied for its members to access 12 months traders' Visas from the South African government when the Visa regime was still in place. It was selected to host the Regional Secretariat of the Southern African Cross Border Traders Association   (SACBTA) and is a key driver of the COMESA Simplified  Trade Regime (STR) Project.

It is a member of Border Efficiency Management System (BEMS) and the National AIDS Council’s National Technical Working Group on HIV and AIDS in the informal economy.  It is accepted as a legitimate lead/coordinating agent by SMEs and informal economy associations when implementing various  national programs. ZCBTA has 7000 members of whom 76% are women.

 

Additional services for women entrepreneurs provided by ZCBTA

‣ Market intelligence to traders

‣ Assistance with permits and other regulatory requirements

‣ Lobbying the government for conducive policies for cross border traders

Events

The association takes groups of traders on selling missions to other countries. It also organizes workshops and awareness campaigns.

Contact information

2 Sam Nujoma St/Kenneth Kaunda Ave
Reliance Plaza Building
Office No. 106, Harare
Tel: +263 772 259 620/0783 702 349
Email: zimcross@gmail.com

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