Since you have already shipped to Zimbabwe in the past, you know that shipping to this inland nation is different from coastal nations where there is a port through which the shipment arrives in the recipient’s hands.
Quick answer: Air freight to Zimbabwe from India takes 4 to 8 days on average. Sea freight takes 30 to 55 days due to the need for transport from a port such as Durban or Beira to Zimbabwe.
Let us keep it brief and straightforward. At International Cargo Shipping, we are an India-based team that arranges air & sea freight from India to Zimbabwe for traders, retailers, farmers, miners, and projects. We take care of the booking, documentation, customs clearance, and delivery to Harare, Bulawayo, Mutare, Gweru, Victoria Falls, and more.
Consider the transport process in three phases.
Which transit port you choose is very important. There are several options:
You have an urgent shipment – say, a machinery part causing the production line to halt.
Your shipment is weightless yet valuable – electronics or pharmaceuticals.
Quick sampling is needed before making a huge order.
Handling should be minimized and waiting shortened.
The cargo is heavy, bulky or in large volume.
Advance planning is possible and weeks of waiting are acceptable.
Cost per kg is a key consideration.
You are exporting a full shipment of stock.
Both should be considered when you need an urgent shipment first and then bulk shipments at a later stage. Our frequent clients use both these modes of transportation.
All the timings above are approximate. They may vary due to seasonal factors and other conditions.
As your air and, sea freight forwarder, we handle the full chain:
Individuals look for freight charges for sea freight from India to Zimbabwe and hope to find a single rate. To be completely frank, there is no such thing as a fixed freight charge because there are several elements, and the rates change quite frequently. Hence, rather than providing you with an outdated figure, here are all the elements that make up the total cost of your shipment:
This rate is charged per container or per CBM for LCL.
These are charged at the Indian port and the African port.
This is generally one of the major components of the freight cost for many importers.
Transit documents, agent fees, and bonding when required.
These rates depend upon the HS code of your commodity.
General Cargo, Hazardous Cargo, or Temperature-Controlled.
The freight cost goes up during peak seasons.
Insurance, Storage, Permits, Unloading.
It’s possible that one is showing just the cost of shipping by sea, while the other is incorporating trucking costs, border charges, and clearing.
Make sure to always request a door-to-door quote to allow a proper comparison.
In case of air freight, the cost is charged depending on whichever is larger between actual weight and volume weight. Additional costs are incurred for airport handling and customs.
What the goods are (and the HS code, if you know it)
Weight and size, or number of boxes or containers
Pickup city in India and delivery town in Zimbabwe
How fast you need it
We reply with a written quote that lists each cost separately.
Almost all of the delays are because of clerical errors in paperwork. Here is the list of the required documents:
The rules, licenses, and tariffs may be changed. It is important to check the current regulations with ZIMRA and the relevant authority before your shipment. We notify you about these regulations as soon as you provide us with product information.
India is a strong supplier for both daily goods and heavy equipment. Here is what we often move:
A few products are restricted or need special approval. Check with us before you place the order with your supplier.
Yes. As soon as your cargo gets booked, we notify you with the container number or air waybill number, along with the information related to the vessel and the flight. Once you receive that information, you will receive notifications at key milestones such as pick-up, departure, arrival at the transit port, customs clearance, and delivery.
For air and sea freight tracking, just contact us on WhatsApp or email your shipment number.
Trucks are held up at both Beitbridge and Forbes borders. Papers are sorted in advance so that no small mistakes hold your truck back.
Both Durban and Beira are prone to slowdowns. We keep track of the port status and choose a more convenient port when possible.
These apply once the container stays too long. We book the truck in advance of the arrival.
All costs are listed in the quotation so that there are no surprises for you later on.
Packed well and insured, your cargo is protected from any mishaps on the road.
If you trade in more than one market, it helps to work with a single partner. Zimbabwe is one of many routes we handle. Here are a few more:
Sending to the Gulf? Look at our India to UAE cargo service.
Explore Service →Selling in Britain? See our best air & sea freight from India to the UK.
Explore Service →Reaching Oceania? Visit our air & sea freight from India to Australia.
Explore Service →Growing in North America? Read about our best air & sea freight from India to the USA.
Explore Service →Tell us what you are shipping, where it needs to go and how quickly you need it. Our team will help you choose the right air or sea freight option and provide a clear quotation.
It normally takes four to eight days for air freight and 30 to 55 days for sea freight. The container reaches the port in Durban or Beira and then moves by road transport. Season, port conditions, and border conditions may affect these transit times.
No. Zimbabwe is landlocked, and hence sea freight comes in via ports of other countries such as Durban, South Africa, or Beira and Maputo, Mozambique. From there, it moves via road transport into Zimbabwe.
There is no fixed cost. The cost is dependent on the cubic meterage of the container (CBM, nature of goods, port fees, road distance, border fees, and season. Duty is separate. Please send the cargo details to International Cargo Shipping for an itemized quotation.
One should use air transport in case of urgent shipments of light-weight or expensive goods; sea transport is preferable for bulk cargo as the shipping cost is lower per kg. Most of the importers send urgent consignments via air and standard stocks via sea.
Typically, one needs a commercial invoice, packing list, and either a Bill of Lading or Air Waybill, and also a customs declaration to be made with ZIMRA. Some goods require permits. Make sure of the document requirements in advance.
We deliver to Harare, Bulawayo, Mutare, Gweru, Victoria Falls, and other cities. Air cargo can be delivered to Harare, Bulawayo, and Victoria Falls airports. Sea cargo continues its delivery by road.
Yes. We give you your container number or air waybill number and provide information at crucial points. You can also contact us anytime for an update on your shipment.
Yes. Sea shipments with small amounts of cargo may be shipped as LCL. Air shipments with urgent small cargo may also be shipped. We recommend the best option after seeing your cargo.
Select a properly registered firm that has an office, has experience on your particular route, provides written quotes, and has a proper tracking system. Beware of companies that ask for full payment without documentation.
