When the load demands more.
Not every shipment fits on a standard truck. Abnormal loads, explosives, hazardous chemicals, high-value cargo and cold chain each require specialist planning, dedicated equipment and regulatory compliance far beyond general freight.
Abnormal Loads — size & mass.
Any load exceeding 22m length, 2.6m width, 4.3m height or 56,000kg GCM is classified as abnormal under SADC road regulations. Zimbabwe requires a separate ZINARA permit for every movement, and loads over 3.8m wide require a ZRP police escort for the full journey. Route surveys are mandatory for loads over 45 tonnes.
Permits required
- ZINARA abnormal load permit (Zimbabwe)
- RTMC permit (SA leg)
- Separate permit per country transited
- Bridge load assessment
- Route survey (loads over 45t)
Operational
- Pilot vehicles front and rear
- ZRP escort over 3.8m wide
- No night movement
- 7 working days for permits
Explosives & Ammunition — Class 1 dangerous goods.
The most heavily regulated cargo category in Zimbabwe. Every movement requires advance approval from the Zimbabwe Explosives Board, a dedicated ZRP armed escort for the full journey, and an ADR-certified driver. No other cargo may share the vehicle. Daylight movement only.
Mandatory documents
- Zimbabwe Explosives Board permit
- ADR driver certificate (Class 1)
- MSDS per substance
- Emergency response plan on board
- Explosives transport certificate
Vehicle requirements
- Orange hazard panels front & rear
- UN placards all 4 sides
- Fire extinguisher + full PPE kit
- No other cargo on same vehicle
Hazardous Chemicals — ADR classes 2–8.
Hazardous chemicals must comply with the ADR framework, ZEMA environmental regulations and ZIMRA import requirements. Each UN class carries different placarding, containment and driver certification rules. Cyanide and chlorine movements additionally require ZRP escort.
ADR compliance
- ADR driver certificate (5-year renewal)
- MSDS per substance in cab
- UN placards + orange hazard panels
- Emergency response instructions in cab
Regulatory permits
- ZEMA environmental permit
- ZIMRA import declaration per substance
- EMA hazardous substance licence
- Spill response kit on board
High Value Cargo — security freight.
High-value cargo carries significant theft risk on all major corridors. Gold and diamond movements are strictly regulated by the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe — no private transporter may move gold without RBZ authorisation and escort. All loads run with GPS-tracked vehicles, tamper-evident seals and documented chain of custody.
Security measures
- Real-time GPS tracking 24/7
- Tamper-evident seals on all closures
- Dual-driver system
- Random route variation
- Armed escort (private or ZRP)
Documentation
- Chain of custody (collection to delivery)
- RBZ authorisation (gold & platinum)
- MCAZ permit (controlled substances)
- GIT high-value insurance
- Seal number log
Cold Chain & Reefer — temperature controlled.
Cold chain freight is time and temperature critical — a single excursion can destroy an entire load of vaccines or fresh produce. Our Afrit reefer trailers run from +25°C down to -25°C with IoT temperature logging that provides a continuous downloadable record from loading to delivery.
Reefer spec (Afrit)
- External length 13.6m single semi
- 33 Euro / 26 ISO pallets
- Payload 24,000–27,000 kg
- Temp range +25 to -25°C
- Refrigerant R-452A / R-134a
Protocol
- 2-hour pre-cool before loading
- IoT continuous temperature logger
- Excursion report if breach
- Dual / tri-temp for mixed loads
Transit Cargo — ZIMRA ECTS.
All cargo transiting through Zimbabwe — to Zambia, DRC, Malawi or Mozambique — is subject to ZIMRA’s Electronic Cargo Tracking System. Every transit vehicle carries an ECTS device tracked in real time on ZIMRA servers. Deviation from the geo-fenced route incurs a $2,000 fine, and the full transit must complete within 3 days including weekends and public holidays.
ECTS requirements
- Device fitted before entry
- $30 fee per transit vehicle (break-bulk)
- 3-day transit limit incl. weekends
- No deviation from geo-fenced route
- Unsealed vehicles escorted at operator cost
Penalties
- Route deviation — $2,000 fine
- Tampered / broken seal — $1,300 fine
- Transit fraud (offloading) — prosecution
- Overstay — detention
- Unsealed vehicle — impoundment
AccreditationsAudited · Certified · Compliant
Independently audited and certified to the standards that move regulated agricultural freight across borders — from feed safety to road transport management.