Govt Outlaws "No Refund" Signs: Retailers Warned of Prosecution Under New Policy

The Government of Zimbabwe has officially declared the ubiquitous "No Refund" signs

Harare, Zimbabwe- The Government of Zimbabwe has officially declared the ubiquitous "No Refund" signs seen in retail outlets across the country illegal. The move comes as a central pillar of the Consumer Protection Policy (2026–2030), which was approved by Cabinet this Tuesday to tackle restrictive and predatory trade practices.

Finance, Economic Development, and Investment Promotion Minister Mthuli Ncube presented the policy, which aims to recalibrate the relationship between businesses and consumers, particularly in the informal and electronics sectors.

Industry and Commerce Minister Mangaliso Ndlovu emphasized that many retailers, especially informal "runners" and mobile phone shop owners, have been operating under the false assumption that they can dictate refund terms.

Key Legal Directives:

• Illegal Disclaimers: Any sign stating "No Refund," "No Exchange," or "No Returns" is now legally void and constitutes a prosecutable offense.

• The "Three-Day" Myth: Mobile phone shops that impose arbitrary 48-hour or three-day guarantees are warned that these conditions have no legal basis under the new framework.

• Reporting Mechanism: Informed consumers are encouraged to report businesses displaying these signs to the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) or the Ministry of Industry and Commerce.

"It is illegal, and if there are people who are doing that... notify the authorities... so that we can prosecute such businesses." — Minister Mangaliso Ndlovu

The only sector exempt from these mandatory return policies is the health and pharmaceutical sector. Due to strict safety, hygiene, and storage requirements, drugs and certain medical supplies cannot be returned once they have left the controlled environment of a pharmacy.

Information Minister Zhemu Soda outlined that the policy is not just about refunds, but a broader overhaul of the Zimbabwean marketplace:

1. Product Safety: Intensifying market compliance checks and strengthening the Consignment-Based Conformity Assessment (CBCA) for imports.

   
   

2. Digital Trade: Reviewing laws governing e-commerce to protect those buying goods via social media and digital platforms.

3. Anti-Counterfeit: Aggressive measures to tackle the influx of illicit and sub-standard goods.

4. Dispute Resolution: Improving the speed and transparency of mechanisms for resolving conflicts between buyers and sellers.

Zimbabwe No Refund signs illegal 2026