Customs Information

Botswana - All

DOCUMENTS REQUIRED Botswana

  • Original customs form CE 101 (2 copies)
  • Copy of passport, including page entry date into Botswana
  • Long term permit or permanent work / residence permit
  • Letter of employment (stating that duration of contract is greater than 2 years). No specific fixed template, however required information in the letter: Company letterhead, Showing basic information such as position held, date of start of employment, expected deration of contract; signed and stamped.
  • Commercial invoices – see Specific Information (3 copies)
  • Detailed, valued inventory
  • Original bill of lading (OBL) / air waybill (AWB)
  • Diplomatic clearance (Diplomats)
  • Certificate "A" from relevant Embassy in Botswana, signed by Botswana Department of Foreign Affairs (Diplomats)

CUSTOMS REGULATIONS

  • CUSTOMER MUST BE IN BOTSWANA AT TIME OF CUSTOMS CLEARANCE.
  • Pre-clearance is recommended, but new residents may have goods go into bond until final Customs clearance.
  • Duty-free entry is only permitted for 6 months after the date of the work permit being issued.
  • New furniture, household items, presents, and souvenirs, works of art and antiques are subject to payment of VAT at 10% of declared CIF value.
  • Commercial invoices are required for the following household goods, including but not limited to: new furniture, gifts, souvenirs, works of art, antiques, etc. 
    • Check with agent for details.
  • Value added tax (VAT) is applied to all new articles at a rate of 10% of the cost, insurance, and freight (CIF) value.
  • Holders of passports, except those from South Africa, may claim back RSA VAT paid in RSA at the border.
  • Returning residents must state the reason and provide proof of time period abroad.

MOTOR VEHICLES

  • Original customs form CE101 (2 copies)
  • Vehicle registration documents
  • Evaluation of motorized vehicle from accredited dealer
  • Police clearance report
  • Document showing that the vehicle has been in the owner`s possession abroad for more than 365 days before the importation of the vehicle:
    • Original purchase invoice
    • Insurance certificate
  • Original purchase invoice
  • Insurance certificate
  • All documents required for the import of household goods, such as Passport, Work and Residence Permits, letter of appointment, etc. are also required for the import of motor vehicles.
Duty-free entry is only permissible if done within 6 months of the date of issue of the work permit; thereafter, a VAT of 10% applies. Duty-free entry is permitted if:
  • The vehicle (cars, motorcycle or moped) cannot be sold or otherwise disposed of for 2 years from date of importation.
  • Value Added Tax (VAT) at current rate is assessed on the imported value of the vehicle.
  • Only one vehicle per family is duty free. Subsequent entries are subject to 12% VAT of CIF Value / extra duties applicable if car is from outside CCA.
If VAT is payable, it must be paid in Botswana Pula.
  • Returning residents are permitted duty-free entry, provided that they have been abroad for more than 2 years.
  • Foreign diplomats pay no duties or taxes, subject to the provision of the Diplomatic Clearance Certificate and proof of value.
  • Botswana registration and driver`s license must be changed within 6 months of arrival in the country.
  • Caravans and trailers are subject to the payment of duties.
  • If towed in with a car on the initial entry into the country, caravans and trailers are duty free; otherwise, they are subject to 2% VAT of the CIF value.

PETS

  • A veterinary certificate and a valid rabies certificate are required. Also, a health certificate and animal registration certificate from the country of origin and an import permit are necessary
  • The veterinary certificate must be issued and signed by the state, confirming that the animal is healthy and that the inoculations are valid. The import permit is issued by the Botswana state veterinarian or the Department of Agriculture
  • The health certificate must be obtained within 30 days of departure and be less than one (1) year old.
  • The veterinarian at country of origin must examine the animal at least 16 days prior to departure.
  • Quarantine is not necessary. Once the animal has been examined and the surgeon is satisfied with the condition of the animal it will be released

PLANTS

  • Plant and vegetable products require a phytosanitary certificate from the department of agriculture in Botswana.

RESTRICTED / DUTIABLE ITEMS

  • An alcohol levy is also applied (subject to quantity)Firearms, hunting material and ammunitions (permit required)
  • Boars, mokoro or aquatic apparatus (permit required)
  • Plants, seeds, and other plant products (permit required)

PROHIBITED ITEMS

  • Narcotic, habit-forming drugs and related substances in any form
  • Military firearms, ammunition and explosives
  • Knives and deadly weapons
  • Semi-precious stones (e.g., agate, amethyst, Botswana pink, jade, rose quartz, etc. – contact agent for more information)
  • Radioactive or hazardous materials
  • Counterfeit items
  • Pornographic material
  • Indecent and obscene material such as pornographic books, magazines, films, videos, DVDs and software