Connecting Zimbabwe to the world

With offices in Harare and Bulawayo and an unrivalled global network, we help connect Zimbabwe’s businesses to the world. Whatever you need to ship, we have the local and global expertise needed to get it to its destination on time wherever in the world that happens to be. From our container depot in Harare’s industrial area, our road and rail network connects you via the ports of Beira in Mozambique and Durban in South Africa. From here, the rest of the world is just a short hop away. MSC Zimbabwe was established in 1981.

Fully digitalised, we connect to MSC's worldwide computer network so Zimbabwean exporters and importers can manage their shipments online. In 2001, we opened a dedicated empty container depot in Harare's Industrial Area. The MSC Container Depot facilitates the fast and smooth release of equipment to shippers and delivery of empty containers to customers in Zimbabwe. In addition to convenient road access for trucks, Zimbabwe also offers direct rail links to and from Beira and Durban.

Our strengths and features MSC is the only line in Zimbabwe to:

● Own and run a container depot

● Have self-owned offices

● Provide reliable landside delivery by rail and road

● Offer a full package of services from customs clearance, import and export road and rail carrier haulage, door collections and delivery

● Be linked globally through gateway ports to destinations across the globe

● Offer customs clearing services for both imports and exports

● Facilitate the release of containers in both Harare and Bulawayo. We look forward to providing you with second-to-none transportation solutions!

Contact our team to request a quote, book or find out more about our local services

LOCAL OFFICES INFORMATION

Demurrage and storage charges

What is demurrage? Demurrage is the charge applicable, after the free time expires, inside the terminal, port and or at the bonded warehouse for the use of MSC equipment.

Please contact MSC Zimbabwe for current demurrage tariffs: email: zwe-marketing@msc.com

What is storage?

A storage charge is applicable, after the free time expires, for containers left inside the rail ramp / container yard (for the use of the land). Demurrage and storage charges must be paid by bank transfer.

MSC Zimbabwe does not handle cash.

What is VGM?
Verified gross mass (or VGM) refers to the exact, verified weight of a packed container. For safety reasons, vessel operators can only load a container if its weight has been verified.

In line with Safety of Lives at Sea (SOLAS) regulations, all marine terminals are now allowed to use their certified scales to record shipment VGM in case of any doubt regarding customer submissions.

What to include in VGM instructions
You must include the following on all VGM instructions:

Booking or Bill of Lading (BL) number
Container number
VGM and weight measurement unit (lbs or kgs)
Name of responsible party
Digital signature of the authorised signatory in CAPITAL LETTERS.

How to submit VGM instructions

myMSC (free of charge)
Email: zwe-exports@msc.com

Guidelines for submitting your VGM instructions

MSC prefers to receive a Shipper-Verified Gross Mass (VGM) 24 HOURS before vessel arrival in port Beira or Durban. This helps to avoid any unexpected weighing charges being levied against Zimbabwean cargo by both Ports of Loading, which will be billed to the Shipper of Record. This also helps to avoid cargo being declined at load port.
Currently all cargoes loading from both ports of loading servicing Zimbabwe abide by the SOLAS policy.
All rail shipments must have the VGM submitted within 24 hours of the container gating in at the origin rail ramp, to avoid any extra fees levied by the terminal for weighing services.

Restricted and Prohibited Goods into ZIMBABWE.

Imports

Secondhand clothing
Vehicles with over 10years of manufacture date
Left hand vehicles
For more details on prohibited and restricted goods please view this link

Exports

Narcotics and some medication containing prohibited substances
Hunting trophies
Here is a link with details of import and export requirements

Ports and main destinations
MSC ZIMBABWE is serviced by two major Ports.

Ports	Mutare /Distance-KM	Harare/Distance	Bulawayo/Distance
Beira	298	560	860
Durban	1655	1680	1420

Container Weighing (VGM)

All MSC local offices provide certified scales to record and verify container weight (verified gross mass or VGM) in line with Safety of Lives at Sea (SOLAS) regulations. VGM instructions are mandatory for all shipments for safety reasons and vessel operators can only load a container if its weight has been appropriately verified. Contact your local MSC team for more information and support.

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