Certification Introduction
Electronic and electrical products entering the Zambian market must meet the mandatory certification requirements managed by the Zambia Bureau of Standards (ZABS). Starting from 2026, Zambia will implement a mandatory Pre-Shipment Verification of Conformity (PVOC/COC) system for electronic and electrical products. Products without valid compliance certification cannot complete customs clearance or enter the market. This mandatory certification covers the vast majority of electronic and electrical categories, including household appliances, lighting equipment, power supply equipment, industrial electrical equipment, and electronic components. It is a required market access condition for products placed on the Zambian market.
Laws and Regulations
The regulatory authority is the Zambia Bureau of Standards (ZABS), which established a mandatory compliance framework based on the Zambia National Standards Act. All electronic and electrical products are managed under the Mandatory Certification Product Catalogue published by ZABS. In 2026, Zambia upgraded its import compliance regulatory requirements, listing electronic and electrical products as a key category for mandatory supervision, and explicitly requires that compliance certification documents must be obtained to complete import customs clearance. The latest adjustments to the product catalogue can be confirmed on the official ZABS website.
Technical Requirements
Zambia's technical requirements for electronic and electrical products are mainly based on adapted international standards. The commonly used standards are the ZS 1000 series of electrical product standards, which equivalently adopt relevant IEC/ISO international standards. Core requirements include:
- Testing items: Electrical safety testing (withstand voltage, grounding continuity, abnormal operation, etc.) and electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) testing (radiated emission, electrostatic immunity, etc.) must be completed
- Marking requirements: Certified products must be marked with the ZABS certification mark and certification number in a prominent position. Voltage shall be marked as 230V±10%, and some products require an instruction manual in the local language
- Structural requirements: Plugs for electronic and electrical products must comply with the South African three-round-pin standard
Certification Process
- Confirm the product HS code and applicable ZABS standards in advance, prepare application materials including product technical documents, test reports issued by ZABS-approved laboratories, manufacturer business license, product photos and specification parameters, etc.
- Submit application materials to ZABS and pay the corresponding application fees
- ZABS conducts sampling testing on products, and high-risk categories require additional factory consistency inspection
- After passing all tests and inspections, ZABS issues a certification certificate, which is usually valid for 1-3 years
- For export customs clearance, PVOC/COC pre-shipment inspection procedures must be processed with the certification certificate
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