Zambia Electronic Single Window

What the single window is

The Border Management and Trade Facilitation Act, 2025 defines the Zambia Electronic Single Window System as the electronic facility that lets a person in trade and transport lodge standardised information ¹.

Under section 39 of the Act, users may lodge documents electronically, including import, export and transit documents for processing and approval. Section 39 says all appropriate authorities shall be connected to the system. These provisions apply once the Act comes into force ¹.

Section 6 tells the Lead Agency to manage the system to give connectivity to the authorities and to provide an electronic platform for issuing import and export permits or approvals ¹.

Who runs it

Section 5 of the 2025 Act names the Zambia Revenue Authority as the Lead Agency at ports of entry. Where ZRA is absent, the Immigration Department performs the Lead Agency functions. Section 39 says the Lead Agency shall operate the single window ¹.

Border agencies apply to the Lead Agency to be registered as users. They must use the risk management platform in border controls ¹.

In a presentation dated 7 May 2019, Permanent Secretary Kayula Siame of the Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry said Zambia was implementing the Single Window on ASYCUDA World. She said ZRA was the Lead Agency at the border and that the Zambia Compulsory Standards Agency worked in real time on ASYCUDA ².

Agencies and services on the window

The Plant Quarantine and Phytosanitary Service of the Ministry of Agriculture said in a notice published on 18 February 2021 that phytosanitary certificates would be generated from the ZESW. The new certificate ran in parallel with the old one, and the old certificate was not to be used beyond 30 April 2021 ⁴.

Zambia Monitor reported a statement from the Radiation Protection Authority saying ZRA would collect radiation assessment fees through the ZESW from 19 April 2024. The statement called the ZESW a one-stop platform for trade-related activities ⁵.

COMESA reported on 29 August 2022 that new computers at the Mwami border post would let agencies interconnect systems as they connect to the ZESW and ASYCUDAWorld ⁶.

History and status

A World Customs Organization field mission recommended adopting the Zambia Electronic Single Window. The WCO then held a National Single Window Workshop in Lusaka from 4 to 8 November 2019, with ZRA, ministries, the Zambia Compulsory Standards Agency, the Zambia Medicines Regulatory Authority and private sector groups taking part ³.

The WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement Database lists Zambia's single window commitment with an implementation date of 31 December 2030. It lists technical assistance needed for Phase II of the Single Window, covering the remaining 26 processes, and for publicity ⁷.

ZambiaLII lists the 2025 Act as uncommenced. The Act comes into force on a date the Minister appoints by statutory instrument ¹. On 17 July 2026 Zambia Monitor reported Permanent Secretary Lillian Bwalya of the Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry as citing implementation of the Act as progress. The report said she described the Act as supporting implementation of the Single Window. This is her statement as reported, and ZambiaLII still listed the Act as uncommenced on 24 October 2026 ^8,1.

The 2025 Act repeals the Border Management and Trade Facilitation Act, 2018 (Act No. 12 of 2018) ¹. The 2019 presentation called the earlier law the Coordinated Border Management and Trade Facilitation Act of 2018 ². An undated WFP customs profile describes coordinated border management under the 2025 Act as a one-stop shop with customs, immigration, health and other agencies ⁹.