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Clearing Agents

Any company duly incorporated and registered under the Companies Act (Cap 388 of the Laws of Zambia) is eligible for licensing as a clearing agent pursuant to Section 182A of the Customs and Excise Act. Importers or Exporters may appoint such agents to represent them in fulfilling all obligations, including payment of duty, with the Zambia Revenue Authority.

1         Time for lodgment of applications

  • The ZRA – Customs Services Division publishes notices through the press once a year, inviting applications. All applications are required to conform to the checklist at the end of the application form CE 34;
  • Applications lodged after the set closing date are not accepted;

2         Application for a New License

A new application should be accompanied with copies of:

  • Certificate of incorporation
  • Certificate of share capital
  • Articles of association
  • Clearance letters indicating non- indebtedness:
  • Domestic Taxes Division-Tax Clearance Certificate (TCC);
  • Customs Services Division-Clearance Letter
  • Curriculum Vitae (CVs) with copies of qualifications and at least two references on all declared staff to handle customs matters.

Note: New applicants will only be considered for final clearance. The removal in bond (RIB) and/orremoval in transit (RIT) facility will only be availed to agents that have been licensed in the precedingyear for a period not less than 12 months.

3. Application to renew a License 

The application should be accompanied with updated copies of:

  • Clearance letters indicating non- indebtedness:
  • Domestic Taxes Division-Tax Clearance Certificate (TCC);
  • Customs Services Division-Clearance Letter
  • Certificate of incorporation
  • Certificate of share capital
  • Articles of Association
  • CVs with copies of qualifications and at least two references on newly employed staff or those not previously declared.

In addition to the above, companies that intend to remove or wish to continue removing goods in bond should attach the following:

  • Letters from their surety/sureties confirming that the bond will be valid for the fiscal year; and/or
  • Confirmation from their intending surety,indicating willingness to provide security and stating amounts to be assured per station the applicant wants to remove goods from; and
  • Proof of ownership or occupancy of an appointed customs area at each inland station.

Note:

A company without a license in the year preceding the one which the license is applied for should apply for a new license.

Requirements for adjustments to Licenses

Companies wishing to have :

  • their license status changed from final clearance only to full or vice versa; or
  • stations added to their license,

should make their applications in writing to the Secretariat  of the Clearing Agents Committee attaching the following:

  • CVs with copies of qualifications and at least two references on staff, if newly employed.
  • Confirmation from their intending surety, indicating willingness to provide security and stating the amount to be assured per station the applicant wants to remove goods from; and
  • Proof of ownership or occupancy of an appointed customs area at each inland station.

Note:

 The removal in bond (RIB) facility may not be granted where an applicant does not own or occupy an appointed customs area at all inland stations they operate or want to operate.

Minimum Qualifications for Personnel

The minimum qualifications are as follows:

  • For persons to manage busy stations (i.e.,Chirundu, Kapiri Mposhi, Kitwe, Livingstone, Lusaka, Kenneth Kaunda International Airport, Nakonde, Chanida, Kasumbalesa, Katima Mulilo, Kazungula, Mwami and Ndola),they must have:
  • Grade 12 or Form V school certificate;
  • One year experience in customs clearing as an officer or clerk
  • Two y e a r s  e x p e r i e n c e i n supervisory or managerial capacity in customs clearing matters; and Certificate from any recognized institution, as proof of having studied in matters related to the industry would be an added advantage.

For persons to manage stations other than those in subparagraph (a) must possess:

  • Grade 12 or Form V school certificate;
  • One year experience in customs clearing as an officer or clerk; or
  • Certificate from any recognized institution as proof of having studied in matters related to the industry.

Note:

It is advisable for all personnel dealing with customs matters (i.e., customs clearing clerks or officers) to be declared in the application.

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