Zimbabwe’s New Import Regulations (SI 59 of 2026)

We are having a lot of questions on Statutory Instrument (SI) 59 of 2026, formally known as the Control of Goods (Import and Export) (Commerce) (Amendment) Regulations, 2026 (No. 15), represents one of the most significant shifts in Zimbabwe’s trade policy in recent years.

For the average person or business owner, legal documents like SIs can be intimidating and filled with “legalese.” However, the impact of this specific law is felt every time you cross a border, order a package from abroad, or stock your shop. This guide breaks down everything you need to know in simple, everyday language.

1. What is SI 59 of 2026? (The Big Picture)

At its core, SI 59 of 2026 is an amendment to the old trade laws from 1974. The government uses these “Statutory Instruments” to update the list of what can enter the country freely and what requires special permission.

The Strategic Goal: “Buy Zimbabwe”

The government’s main objective is Import Substitution. Zimbabwe wants to reduce its reliance on foreign goods, save scarce foreign currency (USD), and force growth in local factories. By making it harder to import things like cooking oil or exercise books, the government is betting that local companies will step up to fill the gap, creating jobs in the process.

2. The Golden Rule: Personal Use vs. Commercial Use

The most important distinction in SI 59 of 2026 is why you are bringing the goods into the country.

A. For Individuals (Personal Use)

If you are a traveler, a returning resident, or someone receiving a gift from a relative in the diaspora, the law is generally lenient—provided you aren’t overdoing it.

• No License Needed: You generally do not need an import license for basic goods if they are for your own household’s consumption.
• The “Reasonable Quantity” Test: ZIMRA (Zimbabwe Revenue Authority) officers use their discretion. If you have 2 bags of sugar, it’s personal. If you have 50 bags, it’s commercial.
• The $200 Allowance: You still have a duty-free allowance of up to $200 once a month. However, SI 59 introduces specific quantity limits on certain “exempt” items (see Section 4).

B. For Businesses (Commercial Use)

If you intend to sell the goods, you are in a completely different category.

• Mandatory License: Almost every item on the “Hit List” (Restricted List) requires a formal Import License from the Ministry of Industry and Commerce before the goods even reach the border.
• Quality Standards: You must prove the goods meet Zimbabwean quality standards (often requiring a CBCA certificate).

3. The “Hit List”: Goods That Require a License

SI 59 of 2026 explicitly lists products that have been “removed from the Open General Import Licence.” This means they are no longer “open” for anyone to bring in; you now need a key (a license).

Category 1: Basic Groceries and Household Goods

• Cooking Oil: (License required for bulk).
• Laundry Bar Soap: (Think the common green/blue bars).
• Sugar and Flour: Strictly controlled to protect local millers.
• Cereals: Includes corn snacks, puffs, and biscuits.
• Bottled Water: Because Zimbabwe has many local bottling plants.

Category 2: Stationery and Paper Products

This is a major focus of the 2026 update.

• Exercise Books: (Standard school books).
• Diaries and Calendars: (Standard office supplies).
• Note Books and Order Books: Anything that can be printed locally.

Category 3: Textiles and Footwear

• Blankets: Any weight or size.
• Footwear: Specifically waterproof boots and plastic/rubber shoes.
• Woven Fabric: Cotton fabrics used for sewing.

Category 4: The “Absolute No” (Second-Hand Goods)

• Second-hand Undergarments: Strictly prohibited for health reasons. No exceptions.
• Second-hand Clothing (Mazitye/Bales): Prohibited for commercial resale. You can only import these if you are a registered Charity with a specific permit from the Secretary for Industry and Commerce proving they will be given away for free.

4. The “Individual Exemptions”: What You CAN Bring

To ensure families don’t suffer, the Minister introduced a “waiver” for specific quantities of basic items. If you stay within these limits, you don’t need a license:

Item	Personal Use Limit (Per Month)
Cooking Oil	4 Litres
Sugar	4 Kilograms
Cereals (Corn flakes/Puffs)	2 Kilograms
Jam / Peanut Butter	2 Kilograms each
Margarine	2 Kilograms
Laundry Bar Soap	1 Box (24 bars)
Washing Powder	4 Kilograms
Body Creams / Petroleum Jelly	1 Case (6 units)
Blankets	1 Unit
Cotton Woven Fabric	4 Pieces

 

Note: Even if you are under these limits, you might still have to pay import duty if the total value of your shopping exceeds $200.

5. Impact on Businesses: The New Reality

For a business, SI 59 of 2026 is a hurdle designed to make you think twice about importing.

1. The Cost of Compliance

A business must now apply for a license, which costs money and takes time (usually 3–5 working days). You need a Tax Clearance (ITF263), a CR14 (Director list), and a Proforma Invoice from your supplier.

2. The Hard Currency Requirement

Many of the items on the restricted list are designated as “Luxury” or “Non-Essential.” For these, ZIMRA will demand that you pay the Import Duty in Foreign Currency (USD), even if you are a local company operating in ZiG.

3. Supply Chain Delays

If your license expires or is rejected, your goods will be stuck at the border (Beitbridge, Forbes, or Plumtree). This leads to “Demurrage” charges (fines for keeping a truck idle).

6. Practical Examples (Case Studies)

Case Study A: The Small Trader (Commercial)

• Scenario: Tinashe owns a small boutique in Harare. He goes to South Africa and buys 5 bales of second-hand clothes and 50 school backpacks.
• The Verdict: * The Bales: These will be seized. SI 59 prohibits the import of second-hand clothes for resale.
  • The Backpacks: He needs an Import License because 50 is a commercial quantity. If he doesn’t have one, he will be fined, and the goods may be held until he produces a license (which might be denied to protect local bag makers).

Case Study B: The Parent (Personal)

• Scenario: Mrs. Ndlovu lives in Bulawayo. She goes to Botswana to buy groceries for her kids. She brings 2kg sugar, 2 litres oil, 1kg cornflakes, and 5 school notebooks.
• The Verdict: * The Groceries: These fall under the “Waiver” limits. She clears them easily.
  • The Notebooks: Even though stationery is on the “Hit List,” 5 notebooks are clearly for her children’s school use. ZIMRA will allow this as “Personal Use.”

Case Study C: The Construction Company (Business)

• Scenario: A local contractor wants to import 500 bags of Portland Cement from Zambia because it’s $1 cheaper per bag.
• The Verdict: Cement is strictly on the restricted list under SI 59. The company must apply for an Import License. However, if the Ministry of Industry determines that local cement companies (like PPC or Lafarge) have enough stock, they will reject the license to protect the local market.

7. Penalties for Breaking the Rules

Ignorance is not a defense. If you violate SI 59 of 2026:

1. Seizure: The goods can be taken by the state.
2. Fines: You can be charged a fine up to “Level 12” (a very high amount).
3. Imprisonment: In extreme cases of smuggling or falsifying documents, jail time is a possibility.
4. Banning: Your company could be blacklisted from getting any future import licenses.

8. Summary Checklist for Importers

Before you head to the border or place an order:

1. Check the Tariff Code: Every product has a code. Check if that code is listed in SI 59 of 2026.
2. Identify the Use: Is it for your kitchen (Personal) or your shop (Commercial)?
3. Check the Quantities: If personal, are you under the 4kg/4L limits?
4. Get the Paperwork: If commercial, do you have your Import License, Tax Clearance, and CBCA Certificate?

SI 59 of 2026 is a tool for national development, but for the unprepared, it can be a costly trap. By staying informed and sticking to the “Personal Use” limits, individuals can still enjoy cross-border shopping, while businesses must shift their focus toward supporting local manufacturers or mastering the new licensing system.