Smuggling, border loopholes allow influx of substandard goods, says consumer rights committee

The 2025 World Consumer Rights Day National Organising Committee has identified border porousness and increased smuggling as major challenges undermining enforcement efforts against substandard products in Zambia.

Committee Vice Chairperson, Brian Hatyoka, said border porousness, coupled with product under-declaration and smuggling, had allowed non-compliant goods to flood the local market.

Speaking during a media briefing at the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) headquarters in Lusaka on Tuesday, Hatyoka stressed the need for stronger collaboration between enforcement agencies and greater vigilance among consumers.

“Some importers misdeclare products or engage in outright cheating at the border, making it difficult for regulators to detect non-compliant goods. Others smuggle products through unofficial routes, bypassing regulatory checks,” Hatyoka stated.

He also expressed concern that some consumers prioritise cheap products over safety, fueling demand for substandard goods despite the risks.

Read More: Standards body destroys K47,000 worth of alleged unsafe electrical products in Lusaka (Video)

Hatyoka, however, assured that the Zambia Compulsory Standards Agency (ZCSA) and other regulators conduct routine market inspections to ensure compliance, with non-compliant goods being seized and destroyed to protect consumers.

“The issue of unsafe products, including used underwear, persists despite regulatory efforts. This problem is driven by consumer demand for cheap alternatives,” he said, warning that wearing used underwear poses serious health risks.

Committee Chairperson, Kings Syachika, emphasized that this year’s World Consumer Rights Day theme, “A Just Transition to Sustainable Lifestyles,” highlights the need for a fair and inclusive shift towards sustainable living.

“The organising committee urges consumers in Zambia to consistently demand quality information from service providers to protect themselves from abuse, deception, and harmful products,” Syachika said.

WARNING! All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express permission from ZAMBIA MONITOR.