Choosing a POS in Zimbabwe: A 10-Point Checklist
Published · Last checked 18 October 2026 · 4 min read
A POS system is the heart of a shop. Pick the wrong one and you fight it every day: at the till, at stock-take and at VAT time. Zimbabwe adds its own tests: two currencies, power cuts, mobile money and ZIMRA fiscalisation. Use these ten questions with any provider, including us.
The checklist
- Does it fiscalise through ZIMRA's FDMS? Every sale, credit note and debit note should get a QR code and show Valid on ZIMRA's portal. Ask for a sample receipt and scan it yourself.
- Can it capture buyer details for business customers? Name, address, TIN and VAT number must go to FDMS on fiscal tax invoices. Saved customer profiles save time and prevent typing mistakes.
- Does it handle USD and ZiG properly? Prices in both currencies, change in a different currency from the one paid, and reports split by currency. Ask: "A customer pays US$10 for a US$7.40 item. Can I give change partly in ZiG?"
- Does it keep selling offline? The internet will drop. The till must keep issuing receipts and send them to ZIMRA when the connection returns. Ask what happens after a full day offline.
- Which payments does it take? Cash, swipe, EcoCash, InnBucks, bank transfer, and split payments (part cash, part EcoCash).
- Does it run on hardware you already have? An Android phone or tablet, a laptop, or a dedicated till. Check battery life for load-shedding.
- Does it track stock? Stock goes down with every sale, low-stock alerts, goods received, and stock-take. Without this, the POS is just an expensive calculator.
- Are refunds done the right way? Refunds should start from the original receipt and issue a credit note, never delete a sale.
- What reports do you get? Daily Z-report and cash-up, sales by product, cashier and currency, and VAT totals that match your return.
- What does it really cost, and who supports it? Set-up fee, monthly fee per till, hardware, and fiscal device registration. Ask who answers the phone on a Saturday, and whether support is in English, Shona or Ndebele.
Score your options
| Question | Provider A | Provider B | Provider C |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. FDMS fiscalisation | |||
| 2. Buyer details | |||
| 3. USD and ZiG | |||
| 4. Works offline | |||
| 5. Payment methods | |||
| 6. Runs on my hardware | |||
| 7. Stock control | |||
| 8. Proper refunds | |||
| 9. Reports | |||
| 10. Cost and support |
Score each 0 (no), 1 (partly) or 2 (yes). Anything scoring 0 on questions 1, 3 or 4 is a hard no for most Zimbabwean shops.
Red flags
- "Fiscalisation is coming soon" from a provider charging you now.
- No sample receipt you can scan.
- Prices only in one currency.
- Your data cannot be exported if you leave.
- No written price list.
How TaxComply helps
TaxComply was built around these questions: a POS for Android, tablets and laptops with ZIMRA fiscalisation, USD and ZiG, mobile money, stock and tax deadline reminders in one place. Not VAT registered yet? Start selling today, fiscalise from day one if you choose, and simply switch VAT on when you register. Businesses across Zimbabwe run their shops on it every day. Get started at taxcomply.co.zw or email sales@taxcomply.co.zw to talk to our team.
Related: Virtual fiscalisation vs a fiscal device
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a different POS for each branch?
No. A good system runs all branches in one account, with each till registered separately with ZIMRA.
Can a restaurant or salon use a retail POS?
Often, but check for table orders (restaurants) or service-only sales without stock (salons) before you buy.
Is a free POS worth it?
Only if it fiscalises properly. A US$25-per-till-per-day penalty makes a "free" system expensive.
Put TaxComply to the test
Run it through all ten questions: fiscalisation, USD and ZiG, offline selling, stock and support.