Shipping From Canada
to Botswana.

Documents Only

The following items are accepted as document shipments to Botswana from Canada:

• Annual reports
• Bids and proposals
• Books
• Brochures and pamphlets
• Cash letters
• Computer print-outs
• Diplomas
• Drawings
• Intercompany mail
• Manuscripts
• Price lists
• Seismic data
• Specification sheets

Botswana places restrictions on certain documents as shown below:

Sources:
https://www.ups.com/ga/CountryRegs?loc=en_US

Shipping Gifts

Gifts shipped to Botswana from Canada are duty-free upon entry to the country providing:

• The parcel's value is 400 South African rand or less (about $35 CAD)
• The gift was sent without any request by the recipient
• A maximum of 2 gifts per recipient per calendar year are sent
• They are neither alcoholic beverages nor tobacco products

Shipments from Individual-to-Individual

A gift shipment from an individual in Canada to an individual in Botswana will be exempt from duty if:

• It does not contain tobacco, tobacco products, or alcoholic beverages
• The recipient has not asked for the gift (it was unsolicited)
• The gift has a value of not more than 400 South African rand (about $35 CAD)

NOTE: A person in Botswana may only receive a maximum of 2 gifts per calendar year.

Shipments from Business-to-Business

Gift shipments from a business in Canada to a business in Botswana will incur duty without exception.

Shipments from Business-to-Individual

If a business in Canada ships a gift to an individual in Botswana, it will have duty applied to it regardless of its value.

Gift Checklist

• A commercial invoice must be included with your shipment
• The words 'Gift Shipment' or 'Unsolicited Gift' are included on the commercial invoice, even if the shipment is sent at Christmas time (see sample)
• List the items in the parcel and write the value of each
• Sending more than one gift in the parcel? Wrap and tag each one individually.

Multiple Gifts in One Shipment

If your shipment contains several gifts, be sure to wrap and tag each one separately.

Sources:
https://www.Botswanatradeportal.org.bw/kcfinder/upload/files/Schedule%20No%204.pdf

Shipping Personal Effects

If you are shipping unaccompanied personal effects to Botswana, it is recommended that you use the services of a registered Botswana customs broker. A list of customs brokers can be found here.

Moving Temporarily

Students

There is no information at this time regarding the importation of a student's personal effects when moving temporarily to Botswana to study.

Non-Students

Non-students moving temporarily to Botswana may ship their unaccompanied personal effects exempt from duty charges.

Exemption of duty is granted for personal effects whether they are used or new and if:

• They are for the use of the persona and his or her family
• They have been outside of Botswana for a minimum of 6 months
• They will not be sold or given away for at least 6 months after entry to Botswana
• Do not include tobacco products or alcoholic beverages

Examples of goods allowed duty-free entry include:

• Sporting and recreational equipment
• Equipment and tools needed for a person's trade or profession
• Clothing and footwear
• Furniture and other items required for a household

Moving Permanently

Batswana residents returning to live permanently in Botswana may ship their personal effects exempt from duty and taxes.

The exemption is conditional on:

• The personal effects being owned by the resident
• The resident having lived outside of Botswana for 6 or more months
• The goods being for the use of the individual and his or her family
• The items are not sold or given away for at least 6 months after arrival in Botswana
• No alcoholic beverages or tobacco products in the shipment

Exemption is provided on goods such as:

• Furniture
• Household items such as kitchen implements
• Tools and equipment used for a person's profession or trade
• Personal property such as footwear and clothing
• Recreational and sporting equipment

Personal Effects Checklist

• A commercial invoice must be included with your shipment
• Commercial invoice must clearly indicate 'Personal Effects'
• A detailed description of each item is provided

Sources:
https://www.Botswanatradeportal.org.bw/kcfinder/upload/files/Schedule%20No%204.pdf
http://www.burs.org.bw/index.php/treaties-and-legislation/legislation/revenue-laws
http://www.burs.org.bw/index.php/customsexcisemain/customs-clearance
https://botswanalaws.com/StatutesActpdf/2018actpdf/BotswanaAct2018/CUSTOMS%20ACT%20(ACT%2033,%202018).pdf

Food, Chocolate, Candies

Limited quantities of certain foodstuffs are allowed to be imported into Botswana for private use.

You May Ship

• Pulses (max. 25 kg)
• Sugar (max. 12 kg)
• Tinned poultry (max. 5 kg)

Do Not Ship

• Perishable and fresh goods
• Meats of wild animals

Food, Chocolate, Candies Checklist

• Clearly indicate 'Food' on the commercial invoice in the General Description or Remarks section (see sample)
• Ensure that your food, chocolate, or candies may be imported into the country
• You are not shipping commercial quantities (for any duty & tax exemption)
• Check with your carrier that they will accept food shipments

Sources:
http://www.burs.org.bw/?option=com_content&view=article&id=76&Itemid=222

Samples

Samples may be shipped from Canada to Botswana exempt from duty providing:

• They are for the purpose of soliciting sales
• They are shipped without any charge or exchange of money
• They stay no longer than 6 months in Botswana

Also, only one sample for each type of article will be allowed entry.

Commercial Sample Checklist

• A Commercial Invoice must be included with your shipment
• Clearly indicate 'Commercial Samples' on the commercial invoice in the General Description & Detailed Description of Goods (see sample)
• The item shipped has tearing, perforation, slashing, defacing, or has permanent marking clearing indicating the item as commercial sample

Sources:
https://www.Botswanatradeportal.org.bw/kcfinder/upload/files/Schedule%20No%204.pdf

Advertising Material

Advertising material shipped to Botswana for display at meetings, trade fairs, or other exhibitions may enter the country exempt from duty charges.

Advertising Material Checklist

• Commercial invoice must clearly indicate 'Promotional Material - Not for Resale' (see sample)
• A detailed description of each item is provided

Sources:
https://www.Botswanatradeportal.org.bw/kcfinder/upload/files/Schedule%20No%204.pdf

Repairs

Equipment repaired in Canada under a warranty may re-enter Botswana exempt from duty and taxes providing the repairs were done without any charge.

Items Under Warranty

If a piece of equipment is shipped to Canada for a warranty repair, it may be returned to Botswana without incurring duty or taxes. The only condition is that the repairs were done without charge because of a manufacturing defect or a contractual guarantee.

Items No Longer Under Warranty

Goods no longer under warranty that have been repaired in Canada will incur duty and taxes when they are returned to Botswana.

Sending Product for Repair to Botswana

The Republic of Botswana allows the entry of equipment for repairs under its rules for inward processing of goods.

Returning Repaired Product to Botswana

Providing a repair done in Canada did not incur a charge, the equipment or machinery may be returned to Botswana without duty or taxes being imposed.

Repair Checklist

• Commercial invoice must clearly indicate 'REPAIR & RETURN' under the General Description or Remarks, and include the estimated time of return(see sample)
• Include repair contract with shipment
• Serial or product number and the cost of repairs should be indicated under the Detailed Description of Goods section
• Include the original shipping documents or tracking number from when the item was first exported to Botswana or exported to Canada (depending on which case applies)
• A commercial invoice must be included with your shipment

Sources:
https://botswanalaws.com/StatutesActpdf/2018actpdf/BotswanaAct2018/CUSTOMS%20ACT%20(ACT%2033,%202018).pdf
https://www.Botswanatradeportal.org.bw/kcfinder/upload/files/Schedule%20No%204.pdf

Temporary Imports

Goods shipped to Botswana as a temporary import may require a guarantee in the amount of the duty and taxes that would be owed on them. One way to avoid this is to use an ATA Carnet (see below for details).

The time limit a temporary import may be allowed to remain in Botswana is variable but cannot be any longer than 12 months.

Goods allowed temporary import include:

• Tourist advertising material
• Equipment required for a sporting event or other similar purposes
• Items and goods destined for display at a meeting, trade fair, exhibition, or other comparable events
• Equipment and goods of a professional nature or required for a commercial operation

Qualifying for Duty & Tax Free Temporary Import

In order to import your goods duty and tax free into Botswana, you can pick from Option 1 or 2 of the Temporary Import Methods listed below.

Each option has its pros and cons. Regardless, each of the following methods requires you to complete a commercial invoice (CI). More details below.

In addition to the 2 options above, the following criteria must also be met in order to qualify for a duty and VAT free exemption:

• The goods arrive and leave in the same condition, i.e. they undergo no repairs nor are they used in manufacturing
• Stay no longer than 12 months in Botswana

NOTE:

• If the above conditions are not followed, duties and taxes will be charged as though the goods have been imported permanently.
• Your Customs broker can clear goods of a temporary nature (FedEx, UPS, DHL, etc. typically CANNOT clear goods of temporary nature)

Temporary Imports Checklist

• Commercial Invoice clearly stating 'Temporary Import'. This must be written in the General Description section and the Detailed Description of Goods. (see sample)
• The goods arrive and leave in the same condition, i.e. they undergo no repairs nor are they used in manufacturing
• Stay no longer than the period listed above
• Include your ATA Carnet with your shipment (if applicable)
• Include the expected return date or the date that it was originally received within the country (whichever applies)
• Any above listed items not listed in this checklist

Sources:
https://botswanalaws.com/StatutesActpdf/2018actpdf/BotswanaAct2018/CUSTOMS%20ACT%20(ACT%2033,%202018).pdf
http://www.burs.org.bw/index.php/treaties-and-legislation/legislation/revenue-laws

Permanent/Sold Goods

All sold goods entering Botswana from Canada require an import permit and will incur duty and VAT regardless of their value. There are no threshold or de minimis values.

Occasional Shipper

Even if you only occasionally ship sold goods to Botswana, duty and taxes will be charged on all imports no matter their value.

Regular shipper

If you are regularly shipping sold goods to Botswana, we recommend the use of a licenced customs broker. A list of brokers can be found here.

Sources:
http://www.burs.org.bw/images/img/BURS%20Traders%20List%20updated.xlsx