Shipping in Zambia can be unreliable, so it’s worth paying extra for an international firm. As Zambia is a landlocked country, it is also worth paying the premium for air freight, as shipping entails transporting goods from the nearest port. The subsequent land journey to Zambia seldom goes without incident.
Shipping personal goods to Zambia
In case of any incidents, it’s best to arrange insurance beforehand, preferably with a company different from the one doing the shipping. This allows maximum transparency and accountability. Extensive documentation is required to ship your items. Certain items may be subject to import duty.
There are duty exemptions for expats who ship their goods to Zambia within six months of arriving in the country. The personal goods must not be new and have been in use for at least six months before getting shipped to Zambia.
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Shipping pets to Zambia
For those who don’t want to leave their pets behind, it is possible to bring their furry friends into Zambia. Provided that certain conditions are met, there will be no quarantine period. Pet parents must obtain an Import Permit from the Zambian Department of Research and Specialist Services (Veterinary Services), which states the animal’s breed, country of origin, purpose of import, and disease state.
A licensed vet’s health certificate must be obtained 10 days before departure to show that vaccinations are up-to-date, but they should not be older than a year and must prove that the pet is free of diseases such as rabies. In addition, any pets entering Zambia must be microchipped with an ISO-compliant chip, otherwise owners will need to provide a compatible scanner.
Pets must arrive as air cargo at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport in Lusaka, and you’ll need to notify the closest Veterinary Officer to ensure that an inspection is done.