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Tafric request data as of November 7, 2026
To import from Turkey to Zimbabwe, you choose a Turkish manufacturer, check whether your goods need a CBCA certificate before shipment, ship to Durban or Beira, move the goods by road to Harare or Bulawayo and clear them with ZIMRA through a licensed clearing agent. This guide explains each step with the products Zimbabwean buyers actually request from Turkish manufacturers.
Tafric is a B2B marketplace that connects Turkish manufacturers with African buyers: the buyer posts a free request, Tafric reviews it, and Turkish manufacturers in that category contact the buyer directly.
What does Zimbabwe buy from Turkey?
Zimbabwe is the third most active African country on Tafric: 466 requests from Zimbabwean buyers between 9 August and 7 November 2026, 252 of them in the last 30 days, all written in English. Clothing leads, but furniture, cold rooms and baby clothing take a larger share than in most African markets.
| Sector | Share of requests (90 days) | Examples of requests |
|---|---|---|
| Clothing | 23% | men's suits, modest wear, jeans, curtain and bedding fabric |
| Furniture | 12% | lounge sets, leather sofas, TV units, full-house furnishing |
| Cooling | 10% | cold rooms, blast freezers and blast chillers for meat and vegetables |
| Baby products | 8% | baby and toddler clothing, diapers |
| Medical | 7% | laboratory equipment, gloves, medical devices |
| Automotive | 6% | gearbox parts, turbochargers, wheel bearings |
| Machinery | 5% | brick and paver machines, rice milling and packaging lines |
| Cosmetics | 4% | lotions, body oils, perfumes, make-up |
On Tafric you can browse Home Furniture from Turkish manufacturers and the wider Furniture category, or post a free buying request.
These figures come from requests actually posted on Tafric by Zimbabwean retailers, wholesalers, clinics and project owners; they show demand, not official trade statistics.
Which documents do you need?
Many product groups imported into Zimbabwe fall under CBCA (Consignment Based Conformity Assessment): the goods are inspected and certified before shipment by an appointed inspection company, and the certificate is required for clearance. Covered groups include food and agricultural products, building materials, electrical goods, clothing, textiles and shoes, cosmetics and body-care products, baby diapers, packaging, plastic and paper goods, automotive products and petroleum products. Furniture is not a stand-alone group. Vehicles and spare parts run under a separate CBCA programme, renewed and widened from 1 August 2025 (new and used vehicles, tyres, brake pads, lights). You also need the commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading and certificate of origin; medical devices and medicines need MCAZ approval. Rules and lists change, so ask your clearing agent to confirm before you pay the supplier.
How do goods get from Turkey to Harare?
Zimbabwe is landlocked, so sea freight goes to a neighbouring port and then by road.
| Route | Path | Watch for |
|---|---|---|
| Durban (South Africa) | sea to Durban, road via Beitbridge | border waiting times, longer road distance |
| Beira (Mozambique) | sea to Beira, road via Forbes/Mutare | shorter road to Harare, check port and corridor conditions |
Ask the supplier for a CFR price to the port you will use and ask your forwarder for road transport, transit and clearance costs to your warehouse. Compare offers on the landed cost in Harare, not on the port price only.
Duties, ZIMRA and payment
Customs clearance is handled by ZIMRA. Zimbabwe is a member of SADC and COMESA, but these regional preferences do not apply to Turkish goods, which pay the general tariff plus VAT. US dollars are widely used for imports alongside the ZiG. With Turkish suppliers, the usual structure is a deposit with the order and the balance before shipment or against documents; letters of credit for larger amounts. Pay only into an account in the company's name.
How to order from Turkey, step by step
1) Describe the product, quantity and delivery city. 2) Post a free request on Tafric. 3) Compare at least two offers on the same specification with CFR Durban or Beira prices. 4) Check CBCA and any permits with your clearing agent. 5) Agree lead time, packing, payment and documents in writing. 6) Track the shipment, the road leg and ZIMRA clearance.
How Tafric helps Zimbabwean buyers
Posting a request is free and unlimited. Turkish manufacturers see your request and contact you directly. Browse Turkish suppliers for Zimbabwe by sector, furniture from Turkey, cold rooms from Turkey, our ZIMRA duty calculator guide and the monthly Africa demand report. Post your request.
Frequently asked questions
How do I import goods from Turkey to Zimbabwe?
Choose a Turkish manufacturer, check whether the goods need a CBCA certificate, ship to Durban or Beira, move the goods by road and clear them with ZIMRA through a licensed clearing agent.
What is CBCA in Zimbabwe?
Consignment Based Conformity Assessment is Zimbabwe's pre-shipment inspection and certification programme for regulated products, including clothing, textiles and shoes, cosmetics, building materials, electrical goods, food and vehicle parts. The goods are inspected before shipment and the certificate is needed for clearance.
Which Turkish products are most requested in Zimbabwe?
On Tafric, clothing leads (23% of requests), followed by furniture, cold rooms and blast freezers, baby clothing, medical products, automotive parts and machinery.
Which port is best for shipping from Turkey to Harare?
Durban with road via Beitbridge, or Beira with road via Forbes/Mutare. Compare transit time and total landed cost with your forwarder.
Can I pay Turkish suppliers in US dollars from Zimbabwe?
Yes, US dollar payments are common. A deposit with the order and the balance before shipment or against documents is the usual structure.
Is posting a request on Tafric free?
Yes. Buyers post requests for free and Turkish manufacturers in the category contact them directly.