Air Zimbabwe Baggage Policy

Air Zimbabwe has established clear guidelines for baggage allowances, excess baggage, and prohibited items to ensure a smooth travel experience for its passengers. This article provides an overview of Air Zimbabwe’s Baggage Policy, including allowances for check-in and carry-on luggage, excess baggage rates, liability limitations, and security regulations.

Air Zimbabwe Check-in Baggage Policy 

Checked luggage is that which you hand over at the check-in desk to go into the airport’s cargo hold. Air Zimbabwe offers different checked baggage allowances depending on the route and class of travel:

Regional Routes

• Johannesburg
  • Economy Class: 23 kg (50 lbs)
• Dar-es-Salaam
  • Business Class: 70 kg (154 lbs)
  • Economy Class: 60 kg (132 lbs)
• Domestic Routes
  • Business Class: 30 kg (66 lbs)
  • Economy Class: 20 kg (44 lbs)

Air Zimbabwe Carry-On Baggage (Hand Luggage) Policy

Passengers are permitted to carry one piece of hand luggage weighing up to 8 kg (17  pounds). The minimum dimensions shouldn’t exceed 51 x 20 x 38 cm (for B737 and B767 flights). Additionally, personal items like walking sticks, handbags, laptops, small cameras, and ladies’ handbags may be carried in the cabin without restrictions. Push chairs and walking aids like wheelchairs are permitted as well. However, they have to be screened at the security.

Air Zimbabwe Excess Baggage Policy

Air Zimbabwe allows passengers to bring additional baggage, subject to the following conditions:

1. Authorized Excess Baggage: Maximum weight is 50 kg (110 pounds). More baggage may be accommodated based on the availability of cargo space. 
2. Rates for Excess Baggage (per kg):
   • Harare – Bulawayo: $2.00
   • Harare – Victoria Falls: $2.00
   • Bulawayo – Victoria Falls: $2.00
   • Bulawayo – Johannesburg: $5.00
   • Harare – Johannesburg: $5.00
   • Harare – Dar-es-Salaam: $3.00

Air Zimbabwe Conditions for Excess Baggage:

Here are some of the conditions for excess baggage to consider:

• Payment is required at the airport of departure.
• Rates could be changed without any prior notification.
• For baggage exceeding 50 kg (110 pounds), the cargo or freight service must be used.

Air Zimbabwe’s Liability Limitations For Checked Luggage

Air Zimbabwe has specific liability limitations for checked-in baggage:

• Compensation for loss, delay, or damage to baggage is limited unless a higher value is declared and additional charges are paid.
• Passengers are advised not to include valuables such as laptops, cameras, jewelry, medications, and important documents in their checked-in baggage, as most airlines do not assume liability for these items in case they are misplaced or damaged.

Security Questions at Check-In

To maintain high-security standards, check-in agents may ask passengers the following questions:

1. Does the bag belong to you?
2. Did you pack the bag on your own?
3. Have you been given anything by anyone to carry on their behalf?
4. Did you ever leave your bag unattended since the time you packed it?
5. Does your bag have any battery-operated items?

Passengers must answer these questions honestly to comply with aviation security regulations.

Prohibited Items Under Air Zimbabwe Baggage Policy 

Air Zimbabwe prohibits passengers from carrying certain items for safety reasons. These include:

• Compressed Gases: Butane, oxygen, and liquid nitrogen.
• Corrosives: Acids, alkalis, mercury, wet cell batteries.
• Explosives: Fireworks, ammunition (except for those used for sporting and hunting), flares.
• Flammable Substances: Lighter fuel, matches, paints, thinners.
• Radioactive Materials: Including isotopes.
• Oxidizing Materials: Bleaching powder, peroxides.
• Toxic Substances: Insecticides, weed killers.

NOTE: Passengers should not carry certain items in their checked baggage. These include jewelry, computers, precious metals, money, negotiable papers, electronic devices, a passport, and business documents.

Items Restricted by Air Zimbabwe in Hand Luggage

Certain items are not permitted in cabin baggage and should be checked in, such as:

• Sharp objects: Knives, scissors, razor blades; it is to note that knives, household cutlery, catapults, envelope openers, knitting needles, horse whips, and swords can go in as checked baggage at the airlines’ discretion, but not as hand baggage.
• Sporting equipment: Bats, darts.
• Tools: Tradesman’s tools.

Passengers are encouraged to place these items in their checked luggage to avoid delays during security screening.

Special Considerations As Per Air Zimbabwe Baggage Policy

Air Zimbabwe allows specific exemptions for items in cabin baggage:

1.  Electronic Devices: Laptops, mobile phones, cameras, video cameras, digital cameras, portable music players, DVD players, and MP3 players can be carried on board.
2. Medical Needs: Essential medicines (less than 50 ml) required by the traveler and milk and/or liquid baby food (must be tasted by the guardian) can be taken along.
3. Baby Items: Lightweight articles such as bedding, diapers, and feeding bottles (up to 12 kg or 26 pounds in total) are allowed.
4. Sporting Equipment: An additional 15 kg or 33 pounds of equipment, such as golf bags, is permitted over the standard check-in allowance.
5. Musical Instruments: Fragile or delicate musical instruments cannot be carried in the cargo. They must be carried in the cabin. However, you have to notify Air Zimbabwe beforehand and should also get permission for the same. You must even pay a separate charge to avail of this service.

Air Zimbabwe’s Rules for Carrying Animals

You can carry animals onboard. However, Air Zimbabwe may refuse the carriage of a certain animal at their discretion. Here are some of the regulations to follow when carrying pets on an Air Zimbabwe flight.

• The animal you are carrying, like dogs, cats, or household birds have to be crated properly. Some countries may need entry permits, alongside other documents that you have to keep at hand.
• You should even carry valid certificates of their health, and even vaccination details that you may have to present when the need arises.
• If the animal is a part of your baggage, then the pet, along with the food as well as the container, isn’t a part of your free baggage allowance. They will be regarded as excess baggage, and fees will apply. Unless there has been any negligence on Air Zimbabwe’s end, the airline won’t be liable for any damage, injury, or even sickness caused to your animal.
• However, if you have an emotional support or service dog, you won’t be charged anything to board the animals on flight. You can additionally take advantage of the free baggage allowance.

Additional Guidelines Regarding Air Zimbabwe’s Baggage Policy

Here are some of the points to consider regarding Air Zimbabwe’s baggage policy.

1. Passengers must report to the check-in counter within the stipulated time limits. Failure to do so may result in the airline denying boarding.
2. Confirmed bookings and valid travel documents are required at check-in.
3. Luggage must comply with the specified weight allowances to avoid excess charges.
4. You must affix your name and other details of personal identification to your baggage.n This will minimize the chances of your baggage being misplaced.
5. Air Zimbabwe has the right to refuse baggage if it finds it unsuitable in terms of size, shape, character, or content. They may even refuse to accept a baggage when they consider it perishable or fragile. If you wish to know why the airlines refused to accept your luggage you may make a request to know the same.
6. The checked baggage will be handed over only to the individual who has the checked baggage and baggage identification tag. An individual without the tag will be handed the baggage only if they can establish the right to their baggage, as per the Air Zimbabwe authority’s satisfaction.
7. The authorities also have the right to search your baggage if they feel the need to due to safety and security reasons. If you aren’t available during the baggage search, the checking may be done in your absence as well. This is to confirm and check if your baggage has any firearms, ammunition, or any undesirable objects that you haven’t presented or declared.
8. When you do not collect your checked baggage within the stipulated time you will be charged a storage fee for it. If you do not claim your baggage within three months, Air Zimbabwe has the right to dispose it and isn’t liable to you for their actions.

Conclusion 

Understanding Air Zimbabwe’s baggage policy ensures a hassle-free journey. By adhering to weight limits, avoiding prohibited items, and paying attention to security procedures, passengers can enjoy a smooth travel experience. For more details, travelers are encouraged to visit Air Zimbabwe’s official website or contact their customer service.

You Can Read More: Lufthansa Airlines Checked Baggage Policy

Frequently Asked Questions