Border Crossing: Zambia/Malawi | Customs and Immigration

December 21st, 2023 by expeditionconservation.org

Very easy and quick border. We went from Malawi to Zambia. Officials on Zam side were on lunch when we came, but they were called back, and everything (both sides) took maybe 30 mins in total. Road on Malawi side was just wet, as it rained, but not bad, just slow going.

October 20th, 2023 by Joelle_Overseas

From Zambia to Malawi:
Very easy out of Zambia (free) and same on Malawi side. Be aware that you need USD 20 for the Road Access Fee and MWK for the Carbon Tax depending on the engine size (I was charged MWK 8'000 although I believe it should have been MWK 11'500... There is no ATM at the border and no cards are accepted. I have exchanged my ZMW at Lundazi Market. They could not stamp my passport although I had an e-visa and need to go to Lilongwe or Mzuzu. I got a confirmation letter valid 5 days.

I could buy a SIM card right next to the immigration office 👍

May 10th, 2023 by mdvgroen

This was the most quiet and easy border crossing we’ve had so far in Southern African. We crossed from Malawi into Zambia. Note that the road on Malawi side is not great.

All the officers are super friendly. At the Zambian side you have to pay carbon tax and council levy, TIP and visa (Dutch and South African nationalities) is for free. Council levy is 100 ZMW, carbon tax depends on your engine (see photo attached) in our case 240ZMW. We did not have any Zambian kwacha and there is no ATM or card facilities. We ended up paying in Malawian Kwacha with a bad exchange rate 1000MWK > 11 ZMW.

Is you’re heading to South Luangwa afterwards, I would recommend driving south in Malawi and cross at the Mchinji border instead because of the road conditions on both sides.

In Lundazi we got rid of the rest of our Malawian Kwacha at an exchange rate of 1000:11.5.

December 1st, 2022 by matthew-shields

Malawi to Zambia

Super easy border.
Malawi side was a single building and took 5 minutes to stamp our passport and Carnet.
Zambia side was 2 buildings next to one another. A few minutes to stamp our passport and enter our details on a form, then 10 minutes in customs building to get the carnet stamped and pay the carbon Tax (85ZK for a big motorcycle. We were not charged road tax. No other charges.

There are guys that will change money, but the rate is bad. For 1000MK we got 11ZK (this was basically the same as a proper exchange in Mzuzu). Better to use your MK in Malawi, then withdraw ZK from an ATM so you get the international bank rate.

April 19th, 2022 by Marix

We crossed from Zambia to Malawi with motorbikes, South African passports and no Carnet.

No issues on the Zambia side even though their system was offline. We just wrote info in books and got stamped through.

On the Malawi side we first had to go through the Covid check. You need a PCR test not older than 72hours. We got ours at Chipata district hospital fairly painlessly (took just a little more than an hour and cost 800 Zambian Kwacha pp).

Second is immigration which was fairly painless. They check your covid papers and stamp you through.

Third was getting the bikes through. Per bike we paid 20,000 MKw for the TIP, 4,000 carbon tax, $20 road tax and 35,000 MKw for insurance. Each payment has its own form and process and it was soul crushing to go through to say the least…

WARNING: Be careful when exchanging money at the border and in the streets in Chipata. The guys will try to trick you in various ways e.g.
1) they tell you the exchange rate is 800 Malawi Kwacha for 1 USD, but when you do give them 50USD they only give you e.g. 20,000 Kwacha hoping to confuse you into thinking it’s the right amount
2) they come back after a few minutes telling you that you accidentally gave them a 5 USD instead of a 50 USD (they look very similar) trying to get you to give them a 50 in exchange for a 5.
3) after you’ve done the exchange they come back with a 20 or 50 dollar note with a tear or a ink mark on it telling you you gave it to them and they cannot accept it. Don’t take it back, they’re just trying to get you to take their bad notes.

February 25th, 2020 by geoffreythisis

Entering Malawi/leaving Zambia

leaving Zambia very quick, no cost.

entering Malawi:
20usd tax plus 11500k for the car

They were unable to issue visas (something about no stickers) but gave us a letter and allowed us to go to Mazuzu to buy visas there. We arrived at Mazuzu and paid 50usd pp for a single entry 30day visa. (cheaper than the one we were expecting at the boarder!)
Note: The Mazuzu office is closed on Sundays.

It rained VERY heavily just after we crossed and the track up through the woods was pretty slippy - fine if you have good tires but takes time!

October 11th, 2019 by findpenguins.com/stefans

Crossing from Malawi to Sambia.

One of the best border crossing we had.

** Visa $50 (undamaged notes)
** Carbon Tax 400 ZMW (2001 - 3000ccm)
** Moto Vehicle Levy 50 ZMW (Community Fee)

No insurance at the border. Can be bought in Lundazi (Post Office)

CdP was stamped at both borders.

Malawian Kwacha can be used for paying Tax and Levy.

August 12th, 2017 by ourepictrip.com

Super quick and easy border, both sides. $75 USD for 30 day visa to Malawi. 10,000 kwacha for TIP for car. Insurance not available but it was no problem to leave and buy in Mzuzu. Two police stops on the way to Mzuzu also had no issue.

November 27th, 2016 by vrijwilligdoorafrika

Small border, quiet, quick and efficient.

From Malawi to Zambia prices are as follow;

** $50 visa for 30 days (double entry is $80)
** TIP, not payed for
** Road tax =150 Zambian Kwacha (we paid MKW 13000 as we didn't have local currency yet)
** Insurance
issued at border for 30 days for 103 Zambian Kwacha
We paid $10 + MKW 1000