Zambia
2.3.14 Zambia Border Crossing of Lusuntha
Home

Overview

This border post is quiet with a few cargo trucks crossing despite the bad road conditions. The main trade between Zambia and Malawi is Tobacco. The border gets a bit busy during the crop marketing season (May – Nov). All cargo must be pre-cleared at the Mwami Border Post near Chipata for export to Malawi. The in transit operation through Malawi requires no pre-clearance in Chipata. From Chipata onwards, this crossing offers the shortest route to Nakonde for import to Tanzania or beyond.  The gravel on the road from Lundazi is in poor condition for 16 kms and until the border.

Waiting time is dependent upon documentation completeness. 

Border Crossing Location and Contact

Name of Border Crossing

Zambia and Malawi: Lusuntha Border Post

Province or District

Lundazi District, Eastern Province

Nearest Town or City with Distance from Border Crossing

Lundazi (16 km)

Latitude

-12.24485

Longitude

33.31005

Managing Authority / Agency

Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA)

Contact Person

Station Manager; Mr Zulu, Customs Collector, Mobile: +260 978011331

Travel Times

Nearest International Airport

Mfuwe International Airport (316 km)

Truck Travel Time: 6 hrs

Car Travel time: 3.5 hrs

Nearest Port

Beira, Mozambique (1,214 km)

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

Chipata (190 km)

Truck Travel Time: 3.5 hrs

Car Travel time: 2.0 hrs

Other Information

The M12 from Chipata to Lundazi is under construction and made of good tarmac where it is complete. The road from Lundazi to the border post consists of poor gravel. The border post is quiet with minimum wait time when documentation is correct. 

Hours of Operation

Every day regardless of holidays or season

06:00 – 18:00

Daily Capacity

This border post is quiet, with a few cargo trucks crossing from Lundazi despite the road conditions.  The M12 from Chipata is under construction and made of good tarmac where complete.  All cargo must be pre-cleared at the Mwami Border Post near Chipata for export to Malawi.  In transit through Malawi requires no pre-clearance in Chipata and can be processed at the Lusuntha Border Post.  From Chipata this crossing offers the shortest route to Nakonde for import to Tanzania or beyond.  The gravel road from Lundazi is in poor condition for 16 kms and until the border.

Customs Clearance

Delays occur when documentation is incomplete.  Documentation requirements for food (cereals):

  1. Waybill
  2. Export permit (dependant 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 is 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 import and export.  A fee of 100 USD per foreign registered truck and 196 ZMW for Zambian trucks IS REQUIRED. All trucks are subject to inspection upon entering or leaving the harbour.

For more information on customs in Zambia, please see the following link: 1.3 Zambia Customs Information.

Other Relevant Information

This Border Post serves cargo moving into Malawi or in transit through Malawi. Food is inspected by the Ministry of Agriculture. 

Lusuntha Port Border Post, PO Box 530090 Lundazi, Tel: +260 211381970, 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