Alcohol regulations in Zimbabwe

Licences needed

Excise Manufacturer's Licence (for distillation/rectification of spirits and operation of stills) and Local Authority Factory / Business Licence

Authority

Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA) and relevant Local Municipal Council

Documents

Certificate of Incorporation (CR6 and CR14 forms), valid ZIMRA Tax Clearance Certificate, business plan, premises title deed or lease agreement (minimum 12 months), approved architectural and plant equipment plans, police clearance certificates for directors and managers, municipal health department clearance, and fire brigade safety clearance

Fees

Subject to ZIMRA tariff assessment upon electronic application; local council business fees vary by municipality

Time to obtain

not confirmed

Who can import

Registered corporate entities with a valid ZIMRA Business Partner (BP) number, Tax Clearance Certificate, and relevant trade licenses

Licences or registrations

Commercial import registration with ZIMRA ASYCUDA system; Import Licence from the Ministry of Industry and Commerce for controlled goods; Pre-shipment Consignment-Based Conformity Assessment (CBCA) Certificate of Conformity

Authority

Ministry of Industry and Commerce & Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA)

Documents

Commercial invoice, bill of lading/consignment note, packing list, certificate of origin, CBCA Certificate of Conformity, import permit (if applicable)

Fees

Import licence application fee set by Ministry of Industry and Commerce; CBCA inspection and testing fees charged according to consignment value

Time to obtain

not confirmed

Required

no

Process

There is no separate brand-by-brand label registration or pre-market label approval system (such as US TTB COLA). However, imported spirits must undergo mandatory Pre-Export Verification of Conformity under the CBCA program through appointed agents (e.g., Bureau Veritas, Cotecna, SAZ) to ensure compliance with Zimbabwean standards before shipping.

Authority

Ministry of Industry and Commerce / Standards Association of Zimbabwe (SAZ)

Documents and samples

Manufacturer product specifications, certificate of analysis/laboratory test report, sample product labels, and commercial invoice

Fees

CBCA conformity assessment fees based on shipment value and route; testing fees if laboratory analysis is required

Renewal

CBCA certificates are issued per consignment; annual registration available for frequent compliant exporters

Time to obtain

Typically 5 to 10 business days for pre-shipment CBCA inspection and certificate issuance

All commercial shipments must be cleared through ZIMRA via registered customs clearing agents using ASYCUDA. Imported shipments of spirits (HS 2208) require a pre-shipment CBCA Certificate of Conformity from an approved inspection body (e.g., Bureau Veritas) prior to customs clearance. Goods arriving without a CBCA certificate face penalties and destination testing or rejection. Importers must hold a valid ZIMRA tax clearance; spirits may be placed into licensed customs bonded warehouses prior to duty clearance.

Spirits under HS 2208 are subject to customs duties typically assessed at rates up to 40% ad valorem or specific/compound duties (historically US$2.00 per litre of beverage/absolute alcohol depending on tariff line), unless entering under preferential rules of origin under SADC or COMESA agreements.

Excise duty is levied on potable liquids containing more than 1.7% absolute alcohol under the Customs and Excise Act (specific rates vary by alcohol volume/strength). Standard Value Added Tax (VAT) of 15% is applied to the duty-paid value (CIF + Customs Duty + Excise Duty).

Regulated under the Liquor Act [Chapter 14:12]. Alcohol retail is permitted through licensed bottle stores, licensed supermarkets, wholesale outlets, hotels, restaurants, and bars. Licences are issued and regulated by the Liquor Licensing Board under the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works. Off-premise retail (bottle stores) generally operates from 08:00 to 20:00, while bars and clubs operate on extended hours. Reforms in late 2025 eliminated duplicate bottle store licence requirements for retail supermarkets holding valid general shop licences.

restricted

Labels must be in English and comply with Standards Association of Zimbabwe (SAZ) and Food and Food Standards regulations. Mandatory elements include: brand name, specific spirit designation (e.g., Whisky, Gin, Vodka), alcohol strength (% ABV), net volume in metric units (ml/L), country of origin, lot/batch identification, and name and physical address of the manufacturer, bottler, or importer. Factual alcohol content and standard health/pregnancy warnings must be visible.

Alcohol advertising and marketing are governed by the Broadcasting Services Act and general consumer protection rules. Advertising targeting individuals under 18 years is prohibited. Ads must not depict alcohol as enhancing social or physical performance, encourage excessive drinking, or associate consumption with driving or pregnancy. Watershed timing restrictions apply to broadcast media.

Distilled spirits standards are codified by the Standards Association of Zimbabwe (SAZ) aligned with international (ISO/Codex) criteria. Commercial distilled spirits such as whisky, rum, brandy, vodka, and gin typically require a minimum alcoholic strength between 37.5% and 43% ABV depending on standard specifications; neutral spirit must be distilled to high purity (>95% ABV).

No entirely dry provinces or districts. However, statutory land-use and liquor licensing rules strictly prohibit licensing alcohol outlets within close proximity to schools, hospitals, clinics, old age homes, and places of worship.

• Late 2025: Government instituted major business deregulation, eliminating redundant bottle store licensing requirements for integrated retail supermarkets and consolidating municipal retail licensing into a unitary system.
• August 2025: Ministry of Industry and Commerce renewed Bureau Veritas' mandate for a five-year contract to conduct Consignment-Based Conformity Assessment (CBCA) pre-export verification for imported food and beverage goods.
• June-October 2026: The Ministry of Local Government and the Liquor Licensing Board launched stakeholder consultations to overhaul the 1976 Liquor Act and rolled out the National Liquor Inspectorate Programme to enforce licensing compliance and curb alcohol sales to minors.

Urban upper-middle-class consumption and the upscale safari and hospitality sector support steady demand for premium international spirits like Scotch whisky, cognac, and gin. Exporters should partner with established local distributors capable of managing foreign currency clearance and mandatory CBCA pre-shipment certifications.

• Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA)
• Ministry of Industry and Commerce
• Standards Association of Zimbabwe (SAZ)
• Liquor Licensing Board (Ministry of Local Government and Public Works)

1. ZIMRA - What is Excise Duty and Surtax?
2. Ministry of Industry and Commerce - CBCA Programme
3. Bureau Veritas Renews CBCA Mandate with Ministry of Industry and Commerce Zimbabwe
4. The Herald - Govt moves to tighten liquor licence issuance (National Liquor Inspectorate Programme)
5. Bulawayo24 - Zimbabwe reviews Liquor Licence Act
6. International Trade Administration - Zimbabwe Standards for Trade & Labeling