Vigilance among Lusaka Traders as ZCSA’s crackdown shapes safer markets

Illustration of some counterfeit products- picture by ZCSA Facebook page

Jason Mwanza, a 34‑year‑old trader who sells disposable drinks and other food items in Lusaka’s John Howard area, has been hearing stories of how the Zambia Compulsory Standards Agency (ZCSA) has been clamping down on traders selling counterfeit products on the market.

Jason revealed that he became interested and eager to know more about the agency and later decided to check on the internet what the agency does; this is how he came to know about ZCSA.

He acknowledged that some of the products which are usually seized and destroyed by the agency were items he previously traded in, a development which made him very careful and vigilant when ordering his goods.

It is undisputed that counterfeit products, ranging from clothing and electronics to food and beverages, have penetrated nearly every sector of the country’s economy. Their rise on the local market is fast becoming a serious source of concern.

Research shows that “counterfeit goods damage brand reputation, as unsuspecting buyers link the poor quality of fakes to the genuine brand, which erodes trust.” For Zambian firms, especially in food and electronics, this loss of confidence threatens long‑term survival.

The ripple effects extend to employment. Legitimate businesses cannot compete, hence they resort to downsizing or closing, leading to job losses in a country already grappling with high unemployment.

On a broader perspective, counterfeiting has the potential to undermine the country’s Vision 2030 aspirations for a secure market environment where intellectual property rights are protected and only genuine, high‑quality products are available so as to foster sustainable economic development and protect citizens' well‑being.

“The Zambia Association of Manufacturers (ZAM) is deeply concerned about counterfeit products such as fake food stuff, agrochemicals and medicines among others flooding the market, creating an uneven playing field, damaging brand reputations, hurting local industry competitiveness, and posing health and safety risks to consumers. ZAM calls for the strengthening of enforcement, promotion of compulsory standards and sensitizing consumers to report suspicious products to the CCPC to curb illicit trade and ensure quality.”

Another area of concern is that counterfeit traders avoid taxes, customs duties and levies, depriving the Treasury of much‑needed revenue. 

For Zambia, where tax collections fund critical services such as education, health and infrastructure, the losses are particularly damaging. Although exact figures are unknown, officials estimate that millions of kwachas disappear each year from fake goods.

The Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA), responsible for collecting all government revenue, is stepping up its fight against counterfeiting and smuggling.

“The authority is treating the scourge as organized economic crime rather than minor tax evasion, while deterring offenders with severe penalties.”

The Compulsory Standards Act No. 3 of 2017 empowers the Zambia Compulsory Standards Agency (ZCSA) to enforce product safety standards and seize, destroy, or rework non‑compliant goods.

In line with this act, ZCSA records show that goods worth more than 520 thousand-Kwacha were seized and destroyed nationwide in 2025. This shows the scale of revenue loss from illicit trade, raising questions as to what the possible contributing factors to this menace are.

Brian Hatyoka-ZCSA Senior Communications Manager

ZCSA’s concern is about the widespread cheating at various border points, where importers falsely declare goods brought into the country for sale.

“When traders bring in products, they are supposed to undergo compulsory checks to ensure they meet quality and safety standards. However, many are misdeclaring their goods, claiming they don't need to be checked by ZCSA. 

Instead, they go directly to ZRA, where they simply pay the duty,” Brian Hatyoka, the Senior Communications Manager for the agency, explained. “This kind of cheating must stop. Traders often misrepresent their consignments, which results in substandard products entering the market.”

However, Mr. Hatyoka has pointed out that through collaboration with other organizations like the ZRA, ZCSA has been inspecting suspicious goods away from the border.

For traders, enforcement has been a wake‑up call. 

Illustration of some counterfeit products- picture by ZCSA Facebook page

Jason Mwanza says this has made him more prudent and vigilant when ordering his goods from wholesalers in town. 

He is very particular when ordering goods, because he does not want to lose revenue or put the health of his customers at risk.

“One of the measures I have employed is to check the expiry dates, brand logos of the products, before buying. Immediately I notice something is not adding up, I don't buy because I don't want to be found on the wrong side of the law. I thank ZCSA for being proactive, we want to ask them to continue.”

He stated, “as a trader I always imagine that I am a buyer who has been sold expired products; it means my health is at risk. This has helped me to be always on the lookout and ensure the products I order are from genuine manufacturers.”

He called for continued community sensitizations among traders, so that many people become aware of the dangers involved in trading in counterfeit products.

Mwanza added, “my vigilance is not just about protecting my business; it’s a lesson for every trader to learn the value of due diligence and to support education campaigns that keep us all safe.”

Another trader, Gilbert Nkhoma, a 42‑year‑old vendor who runs a stall selling assorted biscuits and paste in the same area, shared a similar experience.

He recalls that before the ZCSA crackdown he often bought bulk packs of biscuits from informal distributors because they were cheap and looked just like the branded versions.

“When I first stocked a batch of cheap biscuits, I didn’t think twice,” Gilbert said. “But after a customer complained about a strange taste and later reported stomach problems, I realized the risk was not worth the extra profit.”

Since that incident, Gilbert has adopted stricter sourcing practices. He now insists on purchasing only from distributors who can prove that their products are genuine and have a traceable batch number for every consignment.

Kelvin Chisanga - Economist

Economist Kelvin Chisanga weighed in on the subject matter, echoing that counterfeit goods significantly erode government revenue by bypassing tax and customs systems.

He explains that when fake products enter the market, Value Added Tax, customs duty, excise duty and corporate taxes go unpaid, weakening Zambia’s fiscal position. “We lose revenue that should fund health, education, infrastructure and social services,” he noted.

Mr. Chisanga praised ZCSA’s efforts to rid the market of counterfeit products through destroying counterfeit goods, saying the move sends a strong message on regulatory enforcement and consumer protection.

Henry Muleya - Chartered Accountant and Economic Analyst 

Chartered Accountant and Economic Analyst Henry Muleya expressed similar concerns, warning that poor tax collection from counterfeit trade deprives government of resources for service delivery and denies employment opportunities to citizens.

As Zambia continues to grapple with the challenge of counterfeit goods, collective action will be essential to safeguard businesses, protect consumers and secure the country’s economic future.

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