Nakonde · Zambia
Your Dar es Salaam Connection
Nakonde connects Zambia with Tunduma in Tanzania and serves vehicles arriving by road from Dar es Salaam. Provide the transport documents for both the sea and road stages, together with the vehicle’s final destination.
Keep the overseas purchase records, sea transport paperwork where applicable and onward road documents together. A port release in Tanzania is not the same document as a customs release into Zambia. Check that the chassis or VIN identifies the same vehicle throughout.
Nakonde · Zambia
Nakonde’s Role in Regional Trade
The Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry places Nakonde in Muchinga Province and records the Nakonde–Tunduma one-stop border launch on 5 October 2019. Its historical profile lists vehicles and gas oil among important import and transit commodities.
The ministry recorded 71,134 consignments at Nakonde in 2021, reflecting the crossing’s established role in regional trade.
Source: MCTI Nakonde border profile
Nakonde · Zambia
Nakonde’s 2026 Border Upgrade
The first of two upgrade phases was inaugurated on 19 March 2026. TradeMark Africa’s inauguration report describes a USD 12 million upgrade, funded by the UK Government and delivered with Zambia’s Government.
The completed first phase included wider access roads, a truck parking yard, offices and warehouses, plus a non-intrusive cargo X-ray scanner and smart gates. These improvements support vehicle access, cargo handling and customs checks.
Nakonde · Zambia
Dar es Salaam Freight Volumes
TradeMark Africa reports 124,000 lorries and more than 6.2 million metric tonnes of cargo at Nakonde in 2023.
The upgrade programme targets a reduction in average truck clearance from over 60 hours to below 10 hours by 2030.
Nakonde · Zambia
Importing Here or Continuing Abroad
If the vehicle is staying in Zambia, request an import assessment. If it is a consignment travelling across Zambia to another country, give both the Nakonde entry and the planned exit border. The onward destination matters to the transit declaration and its completion.
Do not describe a commercial vehicle consignment as a visitor’s personal vehicle simply because it is being driven. The licensed agent needs to establish the correct movement before submitting the declaration.
Your Vehicle Documents and Costs
For Nakonde, start with the vehicle invoice, export or registration record and the transport documents covering the sea and road legs that apply to your journey. Include the buyer’s details, intended Zambian destination or onward country, and planned arrival at Nakonde.
Send only documents relating to the vehicle being assessed. If another agent has already started a declaration, do not open a duplicate filing. For an existing Ultima request, check your case instead.
Ultima’s base clearing fee is USD 200 for transit, imports and exports. Consignment additions and transit bond requirements are itemised separately. ZRA customs charges and applicable third-party costs are not included in the agency fee.
View the clearing rate card or read the full Zambia vehicle clearing guide.
Document assessment and case tracking are available to test. Final quotations and payments are not yet enabled. Contact Ultima to confirm local agent arrangements for your crossing.
Your Border Crossing Questions Answered
Is Nakonde the same crossing as Tunduma?
They are the two national sides of the Zambia–Tanzania crossing: Nakonde in Zambia and Tunduma in Tanzania. Use the Zambian post name when confirming your Zambia clearing request.
Can I start while my vehicle is in Dar es Salaam?
Yes. Start a new assessment with the available vehicle documents, then confirm the onward road route and arrival plan. Missing transport or ownership information still needs to be supplied before a complete quotation can be prepared.
Does paying at the Tanzanian port clear the vehicle in Zambia?
No. Port or transport payments are not proof of Zambian customs clearance. The Zambia declaration, assessed customs amounts and release remain separate steps.
What if my vehicle is continuing beyond Zambia?
State the final country and proposed exit border. A vehicle moving as cargo through Zambia needs the appropriate transit procedure rather than an import request suggesting that it will stay in Zambia.
Has the Nakonde upgrade been completed?
The first phase of the two-phase programme was inaugurated on 19 March 2026. The programme targets average truck clearance of below 10 hours by 2030.
Official Sources and Further Reading
- MCTI Nakonde border profile
- TradeMark Africa Nakonde upgrade project brief
- TradeMark Africa inauguration report, 19 March 2026
- ZRA import procedures
- ZRA transit procedures
- ZRA traveller and vehicle facilitation
Confirm current opening hours and crossing restrictions before departure.