So, people who bought brand-new Starlink kits from the now-licensed operator were excited. Everything went well until the saw their packages placed ‘On Hold’ by DHL, Starlink’s distribution partner.
Theories started flying around the internet, as you would expect. People claimed various things, so we reached out to the responsible parties to get to the bottom of it.
Potraz not responsible for shipping delays
Some individuals claimed that they were told that POTRAZ was responsible for the delays. There were claims that ZIMRA, the tax authority, was waiting for approval letters from POTRAZ to release the kits.
We spoke to a POTRAZ representative, who requested anonymity, and they confirmed that POTRAZ is not responsible for the delay. They explained that POTRAZ had already licensed Starlink, and no further authorisation was needed for kits to be delivered to Zimbabweans.
However, the claims that ZIMRA was awaiting their approval also reached the regulator. To cover all bases, POTRAZ wrote to ZIMRA, clearing all kits imported directly from Starlink.
POTRAZ didn’t actually need to do this, as the necessary approvals had already been given when Starlink was licensed.
On Buying Directly from Starlink’s Website
The POTRAZ representative also addressed growing confusion as some people began wondering if they were not supposed to purchase their kits from the official Starlink website. There were concerns that buyers might be forced to use resellers.
POTRAZ clarified that Starlink is allowed to sell directly to Zimbabweans. Starlink has a Zimbabwean subsidiary, Starlink Zimbabwe, and can sell directly through its main website (starlink.com) without any need for a specialized platform.
What POTRAZ won’t stand for are unauthorised resellers pushing wares on Facebook or wherever else they are peddling their wares. If you want to go with an authorised reseller like TelOne or Aura for example, to get better payment options, you’re also free to do that.
Here’s the position: Potraz says they provided all the necessary approvals to Starlink and so if there are any other shipping delays, that has nothing to do with the regulator.
So, why the holds?
We reached out to DHL to understand why some kits were placed on hold. Was it a hold to be expected in the normal course of international shipments, or was there some abnormal regulatory hurdle? We will update you when we get a response.
However, our friends at Zimpricecheck report that deliveries have commenced. They report that some users got messages that delivery was imminent, following the status of the deliveries changing from ‘On Hold’ to ‘In Transit.’
Apparently, some users in Harare and Bulawayo have already received their kits bought directly from the Starlink website.
So, at this point, we can conclude that whatever caused the snag has been resolved. However, we will wait to hear from DHL so that we can get to the bottom of why there were delays in the first place.
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23 comments
Monday 16th Sept my account for delivery in Harare says: ‘Shipment is on hold – HARARE – ZIMBABWE’ and the same day it says: ‘Clearance Event – HARARE – ZIMBABWE’, but nothing happened since …
No delivery ….
We heard the regulator’s side of the story for why there are these delays. Now we wait for DHL’s.
I know it must be frustrating.
Morning techzim, have a look at this article and investigate into it, I thought other ISP providers were all cleared besides telone and Aura as official resellers of starlink
MaHearsay anokuwandirai.. ZimPricecheck arikutodhomoka worse… Message yaari kutaura ndeyeShipping from US iye akuti its local…. We know that Adsense inenge ichipinza mari but gather facts before reporting
They prioritize Adsense revenue over facts
😂😂😂.
Uku kwaakunakidzwa nekutaura. You say gather facts before reporting. We’ve literally waited to get a response from the regulator. DHL says they’ll respond soon. Zimpricecheck has gotten confirmation of deliveries to homes by ordinary Zimbos.
So, I’m not sure what you’re talking about.
We have the same tracking infor and texts they (you) are posting…New infor was updated yesterday evening… kwete zvako zvekunyora nyaya yenhema waouya woCommenta futi
Nhema iripo ndeipi nhai Fils. Taura ka.
Sha my kit arrived at Hre airport on monday. The dhl message says clearance other than customs required. Now as of today, thursday it says Regulator clearance underway. I went to dhl, they called the airport contact and I talked to him akati we just received regulator approval to clear kits so we started clearance with Potraz. What are you reporting here are not facts.
Maybe we are not on the same page about the facts being reported here. We heard reports like yours that Potraz was responsible for the delays. We asked them what was going on and they said it wasn’t their fault. Are there conflicting anecdotes out there? Yes. You don’t have to believe them but that’s their story.
Hence why DHL’s response will help parse out the truth.
In short, people like you are claiming DHL is pinning the delays on Potraz. Potraz is pinning the blame on DHL. Those are the facts.
I bet you didn’t order anything
You’re right, I didn’t order anything. I fail to see what that has to do with me asking Potraz if they were responsible for the delays as some were claiming and then me reporting what Potraz said.
But this fits exactly with what’s reported here! It clearly says here that POTRAZ even wrote to ZIMRA, which they need not have done, to make it clear that they already approve – and you say that’s exactly what you experienced!
Exactly Prince. I’m failing to see where that experience contradicts Potraz’s statement. I’m baffled as to what the ‘facts’ are according to Tau.
Qudos to the Zimbabwean authorities. For a change, they did things right 👍
I give credit where credit is due.
How I wish South Africa look at them and follow their example…
Nothing is ‘up’ You we’re clearly advised if the shipping timelines and expected delivery dates – and it’s well within those timelines isn’t it?
We made it challenging like Starlink themselves said but eventually we did the right thing.
Yah something was definitely up…
Ordered my standard kit last week but it only left Cali yesterday.
Something stopped Starlink 🌟 dead in it’s tracks. Even DHL hadn’t touched it until yesterday. 🤔
Starlink 🌟 has confirmed that my order was delayed by extremely high demand. Looks like their kits are selling like hot cakes 🎂. Here I’m speaking for myself. The verdict is therefore still out regarding delays to shipments already in transit.
Dzedu not yet shipped
Don’t be too discouraged. They will also ship yours as soon as more kits are available. The fact that they accepted your payment is a very big victory for you. It means you are guaranteed to be connected. Probably before the end of the month. I was actually going to wait to see what Eutelsat has to offer. But after learning that I could be frozen out of the Starlink 🌟 network as a result of congestion, I was forced to buy early. A bird in hand is certainly worth two in the bush. Fortunately I had no issues paying them. Payment was a breeze using my EcoCash virtual master card 💳. 😇
All along EcoCash virtual cards were refusing Starlink payments.
This is normal for any packages. This is the time when it’s waiting for and going through customs clearance procedures.
The package is basically being ‘held’ at the Zimra warehouse at the airport, while paperwork is being done.