Tips for Bringing Goods Across the Zimbabwe Border During the Busy Festive Rush

The festive season is here, and with it comes the chaos of cross-border travel. For those moving goods from South Africa to Zimbabwe, the holiday rush can be stressful, but good planning can make the journey much easier. Here are some practical tips to ensure your border experience is smoother and less overwhelming.

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Keep Your Documents in Order

One of the most important things is to have all your paperwork ready. If you’ve bought goods on sale, such as electronics, toys, or clothing, make sure to carry the original receipts or invoices.

Officials at the border often ask for these documents to calculate the duty you need to pay.

Without proper receipts, customs officials may check online prices to estimate the value of your goods. This could mean you pay more than necessary.

For example, a traveller once claimed that their imported kitchen appliances cost far less than their actual price.

Customs officers checked and found the real value was much higher, leading to additional payments and delays.

To avoid such situations, be upfront and prepared.

Know What You Can and Cannot Bring

It’s always better to check the list of restricted and prohibited items on the ZIMRA website before travelling.

Trying to bring in banned goods, like counterfeit electronics or undeclared cash, could lead to confiscations and fines.

If you are unsure about certain items, it’s safer to leave them behind. This is especially important during the festive season when inspections are stricter.

For example, sending large quantities of beauty products, liquor, or luxury handbags could draw unwanted attention.

Pack Smart and Use Reliable Transport

Travelling with bulky or excessive luggage can cause unnecessary delays. Instead of loading all your goods onto a single bus with a trailer, consider dividing them into smaller parcels.

Using trusted truck services or reliable couriers is another smart option for transporting larger items.

For instance, if you’re importing home furniture or gym equipment, it’s wise to use a reputable logistics company. This reduces the risk of your items getting misplaced or damaged during the journey.

Pay the Correct Duty

Customs duty is a charge every traveller should expect to pay when importing goods. On average, duty costs about 40% of the item’s value, though it might be lower or higher depending on the type of goods. Paying the full duty upfront is the best approach to avoid penalties or delays.

Even after including duty fees, imported goods are often cheaper than buying locally. Plus, the quality of items bought abroad is usually better.

Whether it’s car parts, branded footwear, or children’s toys, paying the right duty ensures a hassle-free process.

Choose People You Trust

If you’re not travelling personally, ensure the person carrying your goods is someone you trust and has a reliable track record. Things can go wrong at the border, and it helps to have someone who can handle unexpected problems.

Many travellers have shared stories of goods being lost or mismanaged because they gave them to unreliable individuals. To avoid such situations, always use someone reputable.

Dealing with the Festive Rush

During the Christmas season, border posts are busier than usual. Reports show long queues of buses, trucks, and minibuses filled with goods waiting to be cleared. Some passengers have had to wait for days at checkpoints before being allowed to continue their journey.

Unfortunately, the facilities at these checkpoints are often inadequate. Travellers, including families with young children, have complained about being stranded without proper places to sleep, cook, or bathe.

Mothers with babies face the biggest challenges, especially after long journeys that leave everyone exhausted.

Hope for Better Border Conditions

While the current situation is tough, many believe improvements could make things easier for travellers. There are calls for customs officials to set up checkpoints with better facilities, especially during peak seasons like Christmas.

For now, being prepared and staying patient are the best ways to navigate the festive rush.

With water shortages in Limpopo and high demand for goods in Zimbabwe, many are hopeful that border operations will run smoothly despite the challenges.