Zimbabwe: sanctions and trade risk

Sanctions programmeEU, Swiss and UK arms embargo/targeted measures; US Zimbabwe programme has ended.

As of 7 November 2026, the screened UN, EU, UK, Swiss and US sanctions lists contain 17 companies, organisations, vessels and aircraft linked to Zimbabwe.Lists last checked 2026-11-07 21:01 UTC.

Logistics profile: ports, airports, customs, documents, holidays, news ↓

A sanctions programme concerning Zimbabwe is in force — typically an arms embargo or targeted measures against listed persons and entities. Ordinary civilian goods are usually not restricted; arms, related material and listed parties are.

Sources: EU Sanctions Map — Zimbabwe (arms embargo only) (16 Feb 2026) · SECO — Massnahmen gegenüber Simbabwe (5 Mar 2025) · OFAC — Sanctions Programs and Country Information (active programs) (24 Oct 2026) · reviewed 24 Oct 2026

Check a shipment to Zimbabwe →

By sanctions regime

The indicator above is the strictest of these. Which regimes are relevant to a shipment depends on many connections — dispatch country, company location, incorporation, nationality, ownership, banks, goods origin. The check selects them from your inputs in a simplified way; UN measures take effect through each country's implementing law.

Regime	Indicator	What applies
UN	—	No UN sanctions regime.
EU	Sanctions programme	Arms and repression-goods embargo only (since Feb 2026).
Switzerland	Sanctions programme	Arms and repression-goods ban, asset freeze, travel ban.
UK	Sanctions programme	UK Zimbabwe regime in force.
US	Sanctions programme	Sanctions programme ended 2024; still arms-embargoed under US export controls (EAR D:5).

On the sanctions lists

17 entries on the official lists name Zimbabwe — as nationality, address, registration or flag. That links them to the country; it says nothing about other companies there. The same company can appear on several lists and is then counted once per list. Individuals are not included — Sanctioni does not process them.

List	Entries	Companies & organisations	Vessels	Aircraft
Switzerland SECO Consolidated Sanctions List	11	11	—	—
US OFAC — Specially Designated Nationals (SDN)	6	6	—	—

Latest changes

No new listings or removals naming Zimbabwe recorded yet.

All updates →

Logistics profile

Zimbabwe: logistics and trade

Landlocked state / transit corridor hub in southern Africa / mining exporter

Zimbabwe (ISO code: ZW) is a landlocked country in Southern Africa bordering South Africa, Botswana, Zambia and Mozambique. It is a presidential republic whose political and economic situation is considered volatile. The climate is mainly subtropical with a pronounced rainy season (November to March) and a dry season. The economy relies on mining (gold, platinum, lithium, nickel), agriculture (tobacco, cotton), manufacturing and services. As a landlocked state, Zimbabwe depends on transit corridors: the North-South corridor via Beitbridge to Durban, the Beira corridor via Forbes/Machipanda to Mozambique, and the Trans-Kalahari route through Botswana to Walvis Bay. The National Railways of Zimbabwe complement the road network. Since April 2024 the Zimbabwe Gold (ZiG, currency code ZWG) has been the official local currency, but the US dollar remains the dominant means of payment within a multi-currency system. Customs and import VAT are administered by the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA) via ASYCUDA World.

Capital: Harare
Population: 15,178,957
Area: 390,757 km²
Currency: US dollar (USD) and Zimbabwe Gold ZiG (ZWG) in a multi-currency system
Continent: Africa
Region: Southern Africa
Economic area: SADC / COMESA / AfCFTA
Religions: Christianity, African religions
Access to the sea: Landlocked

Transport modes Road · Rail · Air

Current situation: Modernisation of the Beitbridge border post completed; rehabilitation of the Beitbridge-Bulawayo and Harare-Mutare rail corridors and expansion of the Walvis Bay connection are underway.
Seasonal conditions: Rainy season November to March with flood risk on roads; dry periods and droughts affect agricultural exports and power supply.

Main cargo airports

Victoria Falls International AirportVFA
Victoria Falls International Airport (VFA) pairs tourism with real cargo capacity: two cargo terminals, cold storage, belly freight on wide-bodies.

Road corridors

North-South corridor Harare-Beitbridge-Durban/Johannesburg
Beira corridor Harare-Forbes/Machipanda (Mozambique)
Chirundu corridor towards Zambia
Trans-Kalahari via Plumtree-Botswana-Walvis Bay

Rail corridors

Beitbridge-Bulawayo-Harare
Harare-Mutare (Beira connection)
Bulawayo-Victoria Falls (Zambia connection)
Bulawayo-Plumtree (Botswana/South Africa)

Inland ports

Dry port Walvis Bay (Namibia, Zimbabwe concession)

Main trade lanes

Zimbabwe-South Africa (Beitbridge/Durban)
Zimbabwe-Mozambique (Beira)
Zimbabwe-China
Zimbabwe-UAE

Customs and import

Customs authority Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA)Official website ↗

Import customs system: Electronic clearance via ASYCUDA World at ZIMRA; import declaration by Bill of Entry (Form 21), customs value on CIF basis under the Customs and Excise Act (Chapter 23:02).
Export customs system: Export declaration via ASYCUDA World at ZIMRA; Bill of Entry for exports, separate controls and permits for minerals (gold, platinum, lithium) and tobacco.
Import VAT: 15,5 percent (since 1.1.2026; previously 15 percent) under VAT Act Chapter 23:12, levied by ZIMRA on the import value.
Proofs of origin and trade agreements: Preferential tariffs with proof of origin (Certificate of Origin) under SADC and COMESA as well as bilateral agreements; Zimbabwe is a party to the AfCFTA.
Restricted and prohibited goods: Permit/licence requirements, inter alia for fuels, pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals and weapons; temporary import restrictions for selected consumer goods by Statutory Instrument.

Typical import documents

Commercial invoice
Packing list
Bill of lading / air waybill / consignment note (CMR)
Bill of Entry (Form 21, ASYCUDA World)
Certificate of origin (SADC / COMESA)
Import licence for goods subject to permit

Typical export documents

Commercial invoice
Packing list
Bill of lading / consignment note
Bill of Entry for exports (ASYCUDA World)
Certificate of origin (SADC / COMESA)
Export permit for minerals and tobacco

Logistics conditions

Customs complexity: Medium to high
Customs delays: Medium
Port congestion: Medium
Dangerous goods relevance: Medium
Pharma and cold chain relevance: Medium
E-commerce relevance: Low to medium

Trade

Top import partners

South Africa China United Arab Emirates India Singapore

Top export partners

South Africa China United Arab Emirates Belgium United States

Top import goods

Fuels
Machinery
Vehicles
Chemicals
Food

Top export goods

Gold
Platinum
Tobacco
Nickel
Lithium

Typical cargo

Gold and precious metals
Platinum/PGMs
Tobacco
Lithium
Machinery
Fuels
Food

Latest logistics news

Smart Corridors Instead of Paperwork: Five Countries Connect Their Customs Data10 Sept 2026
Five countries in southern Africa are planning direct customs data exchange. Freight data is to be available at the border before truck arrival.

Logistics questions

What import tax applies in Zimbabwe?

Imports are subject to VAT under the VAT Act (Chapter 23:12). The standard rate has been 15.5 percent since 1 January 2026 (previously 15 percent) and is charged by ZIMRA on the import value.

How are imports cleared?

Clearance is handled electronically through ASYCUDA World by the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA). A Bill of Entry (Form 21) is lodged, and the customs value is assessed on a CIF basis.

Which trade preferences can Zimbabwe use?

Zimbabwe is a member of SADC and COMESA and a party to the AfCFTA. With a valid certificate of origin, preferential duties apply; bilateral agreements also exist, for example with South Africa, Botswana, Mozambique, Namibia and Malawi.

How does landlocked Zimbabwe reach seaports?

Zimbabwe uses regional corridors: the North-South corridor via Beitbridge to Durban, the Beira corridor via Forbes/Machipanda to Mozambique, and the Trans-Kalahari route through Botswana to Walvis Bay.

Which border post is the most important?

Beitbridge on the border with South Africa is the busiest crossing in Southern Africa. Following its modernisation, truck clearance times have decreased significantly.

Which currency is used in Zimbabwe?

Since April 2024 the Zimbabwe Gold (ZiG, code ZWG) has been the official local currency. Within the multi-currency system, however, the US dollar remains the dominant means of payment; this is to shift gradually towards the ZiG by 2030.

What does Zimbabwe mainly export and import?

Main exports are gold, platinum, tobacco, nickel and lithium. Imports are dominated by fuels, machinery, vehicles, chemicals and food; the main partners are South Africa, China and the UAE.

Full logistics profile on Freight Academy ↗