Zimbabwe Consignment Based Conformity Assessment (CBCA) Program - Overview

Zimbabwe’s CBCA program plays an important role in ensuring that imported goods meet national safety and quality requirements before entering the market. By requiring a Certificate of Conformity prior to shipment, authorities can verify compliance at the source and reduce the risk of non-compliant products entering the country.

For exporters and importers, understanding CBCA requirements and completing all necessary inspection, testing, and certification procedures before shipment is essential to avoid delays, penalties, and disruptions at the border, while ensuring smooth access to the Zimbabwean market.

1. Purpose and Scope

Zimbabwe operates a Consignment Based Conformity Assessment (CBCA) program to ensure that imported goods comply with national safety and quality standards before entering the market.

The program requires regulated products to undergo verification procedures in the exporting country prior to shipment. A Certificate of Conformity (CoC) is issued once compliance has been confirmed.

The CBCA scheme was introduced by the Ministry of Industry and Commerce to limit the entry of substandard, counterfeit, and potentially hazardous goods, while ensuring that imports meet applicable standards.

By verifying compliance before shipment, the program supports smoother import procedures and reduces delays at the border.

2. Government Authority

The CBCA program is overseen by Zimbabwe’s Ministry of Industry and Commerce, which is responsible for regulating imports and enforcing product standards.

To implement the program, the government appoints authorized conformity assessment bodies such as Cotecna, Bureau Veritas, Intertek, and other approved providers to carry out verification activities.

These organizations conduct inspection, testing, and certification in exporting countries to ensure that products meet Zimbabwean requirements prior to shipment.

3. Certificate of Conformity (CoC)

A Certificate of Conformity (CoC) is a mandatory document for shipments of regulated goods exported to Zimbabwe.

The certificate confirms that products have been assessed and comply with:

• applicable Zimbabwean standards

• relevant technical regulations

• recognized international standards where applicable

Each consignment must obtain a CoC before export, and the certificate is required for customs clearance upon arrival.

Shipments without a valid CoC may face penalties, including additional charges or delays during clearance.

4. Products Subject to Verification

The CBCA program applies to a wide range of regulated goods subject to Zimbabwean standards and controls.

Examples of product categories include:

• food and agricultural products

• building and construction materials

• petroleum and fuel products

• electronics and electrical goods

• cosmetics and personal care products

• automotive products and spare parts

• textiles and clothing

• toys

• chemicals and plastics

• personal protective equipment (PPE)

Exporters should confirm whether their products fall within the regulated scope prior to shipment, as certification is required for applicable goods.

5. Conformity Assessment Process

To obtain a Certificate of Conformity, exporters must complete a series of verification steps before shipment.

Step 1 – Application Submission

The exporter submits a Request for Certification along with product documentation such as invoices, specifications, and test reports.

Step 2 – Document Review

The conformity assessment body reviews the submitted documentation to determine applicable standards and compliance requirements.

Step 3 – Inspection

A pre-shipment inspection may be conducted to verify product characteristics, quantities, and compliance with documentation.

Step 4 – Testing

Where required, product samples are tested in accredited laboratories to confirm compliance with relevant standards.

Step 5 – Certificate Issuance

Once compliance is confirmed, a Certificate of Conformity is issued. This certificate must accompany the shipment for customs clearance in Zimbabwe.

6. Certification Routes

The Zimbabwe CBCA program offers different certification routes depending on the exporter’s compliance profile and shipment type:

• Route A – Consignment Verification: Open to all exporters; requires inspection and testing for each shipment

• Route B – Registered Exporters: Provides faster certification for exporters with a proven compliance history

• Route C – Licensed Manufacturers: Offers streamlined certification for manufacturers with established quality systems

• Consolidated Cargo Route: Applies to grouped shipments where all goods must meet applicable standards

In addition, specific programs exist for general goods, used vehicles and spare parts, and destination inspections where required.

7. Objectives of the Program

The CBCA program is designed to achieve several key objectives:

• Consumer protection: preventing unsafe and substandard goods from entering the market

• Quality assurance: ensuring compliance with national and international standards

• Market protection: reducing counterfeit and low-quality imports

• Trade facilitation: enabling smoother customs clearance through pre-shipment verification

• Regulatory enforcement: strengthening control over imported goods

How SANTIQ Can Help

SANTIQ supports exporters and importers in meeting Zimbabwe CBCA certification requirements through our global network of trusted certification, inspection, and testing partners. We assist with documentation, product evaluation, pre-shipment inspections, and coordination with authorized conformity assessment bodies to ensure full compliance with Zimbabwean regulations. Our approach helps streamline the certification process, reduce the risk of delays or penalties, and ensure smooth customs clearance for shipments entering the Zimbabwean market.