# Zambia (ZM)

**Capital:** Lusaka  
**Currency:** Kwacha (ZMW) (ZMW)  
**Population:** 21'314'956  
**Area:** 752'612 km²

> Zambia is a resource-rich landlocked country in Southern Africa and a hub for copper and cobalt exports from the Copperbelt. Without sea access, it relies on transit corridors to the ports of Dar es Salaam, Durban, Beira, Walvis Bay and Lobito. Customs are handled by the ZRA via ASYCUDA World; the standard VAT rate is 16 percent. Road and rail (TAZARA, Zambia Railways) carry freight; the TAZARA modernisation aims to substantially raise capacity.

Zambia (ISO code: ZM) is a landlocked country in Southern Africa, bordering the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Mozambique and other states. It is a presidential republic with comparatively stable institutions by regional standards. The climate is mainly tropical, with distinct rainy and dry seasons. The economy is heavily driven by mining, especially copper from the Copperbelt, which is central to value creation and export earnings. Because it is landlocked, the country depends on efficient transport corridors to seaports in neighbouring states, giving logistics strategic importance. Copper and copper products dominate exports, while fuels, machinery, vehicles and consumer goods are imported. The national currency is the Zambian Kwacha (ZMW).

**Top Import Partners:** ZA, CN, AE, IN, TZ

**Top Export Partners:** CN, CH, ZA, CD, AE

**Top Import Goods:** Erdölprodukte, Maschinen, Fahrzeuge, Düngemittel, Chemikalien

**Top Export Goods:** Kupfer, Kobalt, Elektrizität, Taback, Zucker

**Key Airports:**
- [Kenneth Kaunda International Airport (LUN)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/kenneth-kaunda-international-airport-lun)
- [Harry Mwanga Nkumbula International Airport (LVI)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/harry-mwanga-nkumbula-international-airport-lvi)
- [Kalumbila Airport (UMB)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/kalumbila-airport-umb)
- [Kasompe Airport (CGJ)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/kasompe-airport-cgj)
- [Lusaka City Airport](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/lusaka-city-airport-fllc)
- [Mfuwe Airport (MFU)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/mfuwe-airport-mfu)
- [Mongu Airport (MNR)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/mongu-airport-mnr)
- [Peter Zuze Air Force Base](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/peter-zuze-air-force-base-airport-flnd)
- [Simon Mwansa Kapwepwe International Airport (NLA)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/simon-mwansa-kapwepwe-international-airport-nla)
- [Southdowns Airport (KIW)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/southdowns-airport-kiw)

## Customs & Import

**Import VAT:** 16 Prozent Standardsatz (ZRA)  
**Customs complexity:** mittel bis hoch  
**Customs system:** Einfuhr über ZRA mit ASYCUDA World; elektronische Zollanmeldung. Zolltarif COMESA/SADC-basiert mit Bändern 0, 5, 15 und 25 Prozent. Smart Invoice für MwSt verpflichtend.  
**Customs authority:** [Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA)](https://www.zra.org.zm)

## Logistics & Risk

**Logistics role:** Binnenstaat / Kupfer-Exporteur / Transitland  
**Economic area:** COMESA / SADC  
**Logistics risk:** mittel  
**Dangerous goods relevance:** mittel  
**Pharma/cold chain:** mittel

## Sources & Last Verified

- [https://www.zra.org.zm](https://www.zra.org.zm)
- [https://www.zra.org.zm/tax-information/](https://www.zra.org.zm/tax-information/)
- [https://www.zra.org.zm/importation-of-goods/](https://www.zra.org.zm/importation-of-goods/)
- [https://www.zra.org.zm/exportation-of-goods/](https://www.zra.org.zm/exportation-of-goods/)
- [https://www.zamstats.gov.zm/](https://www.zamstats.gov.zm/)
- [https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SP.POP.TOTL](https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SP.POP.TOTL)
- [https://www.railwaysafrica.com/news/zambia-positions-itself-as-a-regional-logistics-node](https://www.railwaysafrica.com/news/zambia-positions-itself-as-a-regional-logistics-node)
- [https://ofac.treasury.gov/sanctions-programs-and-country-information](https://ofac.treasury.gov/sanctions-programs-and-country-information)

*Last verified: 2026-06-28*

---

*Freight Academy — Country Profile: [https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/land/zm](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/land/zm)*

*Markdown mirror: [https://www.freight-academy.com/api/md/country/en/zm](https://www.freight-academy.com/api/md/country/en/zm)*