Electrical & Electronics — Zambia

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, the country will implement a mandatory Pre-Shipment Verification of Conformity (PVOC/COC) system for electronic and electrical products before shipment. Products without valid compliance certification cannot clear customs or be launched on the market. This mandatory certification covers most electronic and electrical categories, including household appliances, lighting equipment, power supply equipment, industrial electrical equipment, electronic components, etc., and is a necessary access requirement for products to enter the Zambian market.

The regulatory authority is Zambia Bureau of Standards (ZABS), which establishes a mandatory compliance framework under 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 mandatory regulated category, and clearly stipulates that compliance certification documents must be obtained to complete import customs clearance. You can check the official ZABS website for the latest adjustments to the specific product catalogue.

Zambia's technical requirements for electronic and electrical products are mainly based on adopted international standards, and the commonly used standards are ZS 1000 series of electrical product standards, which identically 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 discharge immunity, etc.) are required to be completed Marking requirements: Certified products must be marked with the ZABS certification mark and certification number in a prominent position. The voltage shall be marked as 230V±10%, and some products require a local language version of the instruction manual Structural requirements: Plugs of electronic and electrical products must comply with the South African three-round-pin standard