Key facts for Zimbabwe
Christmas is the main year-end occasion for corporate gifts.
How companies in Zimbabwe give year-end gifts
Zimbabwe is predominantly Christian, and Christmas is the main family and business holiday of the year, coming just after Unity Day on 22 December. Many people travel to rural homes over the festive period, so offices quiet down in the second half of December. Companies in Harare and Bulawayo give staff year-end hampers or gifts and send clients and partners greetings and branded items. English is the language of business. US dollars are widely used alongside the local currency (ZiG), which affects how duties are paid. Gifts are modest, practical and delivered to named contacts. Public officials are subject to anti-corruption rules. Plush toys for employees' children, tea and branded keepsakes are practical choices. Confirm delivery addresses in advance, and aim for arrival by mid-December.
Gift occasions in Zimbabwe
Unity Day
public holiday
Christmas
main year-end occasion for gifts to staff, clients and partners
Boxing Day
public holiday
New Year
greetings; often combined with Christmas as one year-end occasion
Good practice
- Deliver before mid-December, ahead of the festive travel period
- Order early: international courier transit plus customs clearance can take one to two weeks or more
- Add a printed card in the main business language with a personal line
- Favor heat-stable items (tea, plush, baubles, branded keepsakes) if delivery is outside air-conditioned premises
Avoid
- Don't ship chocolate without heat protection
- Don't send gifts to public officials without checking their internal rules
Design and wording
Christmas wording and imagery are appropriate for most recipients; neutral 'Season's Greetings' suits international or mixed teams.
Delivery to Zimbabwe
Ships from Poland by international courier; import duties and local VAT or sales taxes are normally charged on arrival and can be quoted in advance, and customs clearance adds time. Courier coverage is concentrated in Harare and Bulawayo; customs clearance can be slow. December is summer, so chocolate needs heat-protected packaging and fast transit, or non-chocolate items are the safer choice.
Planning dates for Zimbabwe
| Order personalized stock advent calendars by | 6 Nov 2026 |
|---|---|
| Order Christmas hampers by | 13 Nov 2026 |
| Fully custom calendars for 2027 — order between | 01.2027 – 08.2027 |
Indicative planning dates; exact dates are confirmed in your proposal.
Recommended formats for Zimbabwe
Christmas hampers
Corporate Christmas hampers with your logo on the box, ribbon or card, composed to your budget band and delivered to one office or to individual home…
Tea & coffee calendars
A tea or coffee advent calendar with your logo is a measured, practical gift for clients and colleagues who prefer to avoid sweets.
Christmas plush
Plush is made in our own workshop in Biała Podlaska, Poland: ready Christmas teddies with your embroidered logo, and custom plush mascots based on…
Baubles with logo
Most promotional items are discarded within weeks.
Chocolate advent calendars
Twenty-four chocolates and your brand on the front from 1 to 24 December.
Chocolate Santas
A chocolate Santa with your logo is an economical way to send seasonal greetings to a long list of recipients: at events, at reception desks, in…
Frequently asked questions
Is Christmas a public holiday in Zimbabwe?
Yes. 25 Dec (Christmas) and 26 Dec (Boxing Day) are public holidays, as is 1 Jan; 22 Dec (Unity Day) is also a public holiday.
Can we send chocolate gifts to Zimbabwe?
Usually yes, as a gift shipment by courier, but import duties and taxes may apply and customs can request product details. Heat is the main risk in December, so we recommend heat-protected packaging or tea and plush alternatives.
What currency is used in Zimbabwe?
The official currency is the ZiG (Zimbabwe Gold), and US dollars are widely used. Our quotes are in EUR, with any local duties confirmed in advance.