Complaint

Complaint number
AfCFTA-000-118  
NTB Type
6.5. Other  
Reported through
Web  
Complaint
Informal traders carrying small quantities of goods, such as fresh produce, cooking oil, rice, sugar and pasta.
These traders cross the Victoria Falls border post by bike or foot.
The complaint concerns over 50 traders per day, crossing the border.

When entering Zimbabwe, they get stopped by Customs and will face seemingly arbitrary restrictions on quantities of goods that can enters (which change on a daily basis and depending on the specific officer on duty). When these arbitrary quantities are exceeded, the officers often confiscate all of the goods or demand bribes to release the traders. They also face threats when questioning the behaviour of the officer.

When returning after selling goods on the market in Zimbabwe, and after clearing the Zimbabwe Customs, they will often get stopped by police or soldiers in the no-mans-land between the borders to be demanded further bribes from the proceeds of their sales.

If bringing merchandise from Zimbabwe back to Zambia, depending on the officers at the border and despite the small quantities carried, they will be asked to obtain an export license from Harare. Or to pay another bribe to be released.
 
Progress update note
 
Policy or regulatory NTB
No 
Location
Zimbabwe: Victoria Falls (Border post)  
Reporting Country or Region
Zambia  
Date of incident
2026-03-17  
Status
Transferred  
Product Description
various goods, such as fresh produce, cooking oil, rice, sugar and pasta
 
Total value
0  
Date reported
2026-03-17  
Modified
2026-04-21 19:23  
Messages