Includes information on business customs, travel advisory, visa requirements, currency, language, health, local time, business hours and holidays, acceptable business etiquette, dress, business cards, gifts, temporary entry of materials and personal belongings,etc.
Last Published: 7/24/2019

Business Customs

In spite of perfunctory reference to Marxism and to the ”Look East” policy by some members of the ZANU-PF government, business customs are more or less similar to those in Western countries.

Travel Advisory

See the U.S. Department of State website for up-to-date information on travel to Zimbabwe:
https://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/country/zimbabwe.html 

Visa Requirements

Foreigners intending to engage in meetings or discussions for business purposes are advised to secure a business visa for entry into Zimbabwe.  Individuals found to be engaging in business-related activities on a tourist visa have been known to be arrested, expelled from the country, and/or occasionally fined.  A passport, visa, return ticket, and adequate funds are required to enter Zimbabwe. Visitors are advised to refer to the up-to-date complete information posted on the following websites:
State Department Visa Website: http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1063.html#entry_requirements
U.S. Embassy in Zimbabwe: http://harare.usembassy.gov/import_visitorsinfo.html

Currency

In 2009, Zimbabwe adopted a multi-currency system, with the U.S. dollar dominating most transactions.  Since 2015, Zimbabwe has suffered from a severe shortage of liquidity and cash forcing the government to introduce a surrogate currency called a bond note in 2016 which traded at 1:1 to the U.S. dollar.   The country suffered from a binding foreign exchange constraint that forced the central bank to introduce an interbank market for foreign exchange in February 2019.  Nevertheless, the official rate has failed to attract inflows as it is below the black-market rate.  

Telecommunications/Electronics

Although improving somewhat, mobile and landline networks are sometimes overloaded.  Phones in general are reliable in urban centers.  In 2010 some service providers introduced connectivity for data-enabled devices, such as smart phones and usage is becoming widespread.

Transportation

Zimbabwe still has operable transportation infrastructure, especially relative to much of the rest of the continent, with a reasonably well-developed road network.  The country has air connections with other countries in the southern and eastern regions of Africa, as well as Europe and the United Arab Emirates.

Language

English is the official business language in Zimbabwe and it is the language used in much of Zimbabwe’s education system.

Health 

For the most up-to-date information, please visit these websites:
State Department Visa Website: http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1063.html#entry_requirements

CDC Travelers’ Health website: http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/

Local Time, Business Hours and Holidays

Local time is six hours ahead of Washington, D.C. time, or seven hours during Daylight Savings Time.  Business hours are between 0800 hours and 1700 hours (Monday to Friday).  Zimbabwe’s holidays for 2018 include: New Year’s Day, Robert Mugabe National Youth Day (February 21), Good Friday (April 19), Easter Monday (April 22), Independence Day (April 18), Workers’ Day (May 1), Africa Day (May 25), Heroes’ Day (August 12), Defense Forces Day (August 13), National Unity Day (December 22), Christmas Day (December 25) and Boxing Day (December 26).

Temporary Entry of Materials or Personal Belongings

U.S. citizens who are temporarily carrying firearms and ammunition into Zimbabwe for purposes of hunting must register these items with the U.S. Bureau of Customs and Border Protection, using Customs Form 4457, when leaving the U.S. and upon re-entry.  U.S. citizens must also comply with the temporary export exemptions at 22 CFR 123.17, posted on the Directorate of Defense Trade Control’s website at http://www.pmddtc.state.gov/  (see Reference Library).  U.S. citizens should also contact the Embassy of Zimbabwe in Washington, D.C. to find out what permits are required.  Travelers to Zimbabwe should make sure that all the necessary documentation is in order before departing the United States.
For country specific travel information, please visit: http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1063.html
 

Travel Related Web Resources

Zimbabwe Tourism Authority 
Tourism House, 
55 Samora Machel Ave, Harare. 
Tel: 263 242 758 712.
www.zimbabwetourism.co.zw
 

Prepared by our U.S. Embassies abroad. With its network of 108 offices across the United States and in more than 75 countries, the U.S. Commercial Service of the U.S. Department of Commerce utilizes its global presence and international marketing expertise to help U.S. companies sell their products and services worldwide. Locate the U.S. Commercial Service trade specialist in the U.S. nearest you by visiting http://export.gov/usoffices.


More Information

Zimbabwe Business Travel and Etiquette