Zambia
2.3.11 Zambia Border Crossing of Mpulungu
Home

Overview

This border post has a steady volume of traffic.  The crossing receives and dispatches cargo vehicles transiting from the Mokambo Border Post across DRC as well as imports and exports from DRC.  The access by road is of good tarmac from Kasama on M1 and from Mbala on M2.  It is a gateway to Burundi (Bujumbura), Kalemie (DRC) and Kigoma (Tanzania).

There are hardly delays related to documentation as all trucks crossing either ways are requested to self-assessment through their clearing Agents, before presenting the documentation to customs officers.

Border Crossing Location and Contact
Name of Border Crossing

Zambia: Mpulungu Border Post

Province or District Northern Province, Mpulungu District
Nearest Town or City with Distance from Border Crossing Mpulungu (0 km)
Managing Authority Zambia Revenue Agency (ZRA)
Contact Person Mr Wilfred Mwanza, Station Manager, Mobile: +260 977117538/966117538

Travel Times

Nearest International Airport

Lusaka – Kenneth Kaunda International Airport (1050 km)

Truck Travel Time: 60 hrs

Car Travel time: 23 hrs

Nearest Port

Beira / Nacala / Durban / Dar es Salaam

Nearest location with functioning wholesale markets, or with significant manufacturing or production capacity

Kasama (190 km)

Truck Travel Time: 4.5 hrs

Car Travel time: 2.5 hrs

Other Information

Roads are made of good tarmac on M1 from Kasama and M2 from Mbala. The border post has a steady volume of traffic with minimum wait when all documentation is correct. 

Hours of Operation

Every day regardless of holidays or season

06:00 – 18:00

Daily Capacity

This border post has a steady volume of traffic. There is very little parking space for trucks except along the roadside outside the harbour gates. Approximately 300 truckloads per month cross both ways through the harbour. The maximum capacity is about 25 trucks per day. There is about a 1-2 hour wait when all documentation is correct. The road to access the border post is of good tarmac from Kasama on the M2 highway and M2 from Mbala. Most of the trucks accessing this borders deliver cargo from Zambia and DRC into the Mpulungu Harbour and pick loads from the same harbour.

Customs Clearance

Minimum delays occur because of Self-assessment pre-clearing routine on documentation done in advance.  Documentation requirements for food (cereals):

  1. Waybill
  2. Export permit (dependent on commodity)
  3. Certificate of Origin (COMESA/SADC)
  4. Fumigation certificate
  5. Export schedule (in case of Maize)
  6. Invoice
  7. Phytosanitary certificate

Electronic pre-clearance possible and recommended through a forwarding agent.  A bond is held by the agent for a fee. The ZRA is the Regulatory Authority. Inspection by the Ministry of Agriculture and the ZRA is required for imports and exports.  A fee of 100 USD per foreign registered truck and 196 ZMW for Zambian trucks. All trucks are subject to inspection upon entering or leaving the harbour.

For more information on customs in Zambia , please see the following link1.3 Zambia Customs Information.

Other Relevant Information

This Border Post serves cargo moving by vessel to all countries that border Lake Tanganyika.  Photos can be found in Annexes. Food is inspected by the Ministry of Agriculture. 

Mpulungu Port Border Post, PO Box 133 Mpulungu, email: advice@zra.org.zm.

For more information on government contact details, please see the following link: 4.1 Zambia Government Contact List.


Jump to top