Botswana sits landlocked in southern Africa quiet and little known by many. However, researchers have determined this land was the birthplace of modern humans 200,000 years ago. Today, Botswana is mostly covered by the Kalahari Desert though it is wet enough in parts to support cattle and a range of notable migratory birds and big-game animals.
Botswana gained its independence from the United Kingdom in 1966, and since then has developed from one of the world's poorest nations to an upper-middle income country. Nevertheless, e-commerce is still in its very early stages in Botswana, but its people enjoy a level of internet penetration higher than the African average. So, like those ancient humans who became today's consumers, we can expect the Batswana will evolve a thriving e-commerce economy in the near future.
Shipping Rates
Easily compare the best and cheapest shipping options to Botswana
through a variety of carriers using Secureship
Secureship provides safe and affordable shipping from Canada to Botswana. In case you are an everyday shopper or a business,
you can easily save up to 50% on your international shipping costs by way of accessing our group buying power.
Shipments through Secureship come with full, easy to read tracking
information to Botswana
Disclaimer
While we have made every effort to ensure that the information on this
page is accurate, Customs laws and procedures change regularly so it is
important to consult a licensed broker in Botswana before shipping any
goods.
Tracking #:780123123123
Tel: 1-800-463-3339
Signed By: Pikwalia @ Residence
Feb 21, 2026
8:49 am
Mahalapye, MA, BW
Delivered
Feb 20, 2026
7:18 am
Molepolole, MO, BW
In transit
Feb 19, 2026
9:03 pm
Francistown, FR, BW
International Clearance
Feb 19, 2026
8:14 am
Gaborone, GA, BW
In transit
Feb 19, 2026
12:17 am
Toronto, ON, CA
In transit
Feb 18, 2026
4:30 pm
Ottawa, ON, CA
Pickup Scan
Types of Shipments
Not all types of shipments are created equal. Shipping a television will
require different paperwork, duties, and taxes than shipping an accounting
statement, for example.
Here is a list of the most common types of shipments:
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'
Carrier tracking number: 736534736 General Description: Promotional Material - Not for Resale
Invoice number:
123456MGEP4916926
Customs Broker: UPS Date: 28 May 2023
QTY
Description of Goods
C/O
SubTotal
1 Each
Promotional Material: Not for Resale. Product pamphlets to hand out at trade show.
CA
$163.00
Terms of Sale: None Total number of packages: 1 Reason for export:Promotional Material Contact Name: James Smith
Total Invoice Amount: $163.00 Total Weight: 10.0 lbs
Declaration Statement: I hereby certify that information provided
is true and complete to the best of my knowledge
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
Carrier tracking number: 736534736 General Description: Repair and Return - Watch being sent for repair
Invoice number:
123456MGEP4916926
Customs Broker: UPS Date: 28 May 2023
QTY
Description of Goods
C/O
SubTotal
1 Each
Fossil Watch being sent for repair - Model E5, serial # 789456FG7E2 - Repair Cost $76.00
US
$163.00
Terms of Sale: None Total number of packages: 1 Reason for export:Warranty Repair Contact Name: James Smith
Total Invoice Amount: $163.00 Total Weight: 10.0 lbs
Declaration Statement: I hereby certify that information provided
is true and complete to the best of my knowledge
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.
Option #
Temporary Import Method
Risk of paying
1
Commercial Invoice Only (no other documentation is provided)
High - if broker cannot clear goods temporarily
2
Commercial Invoice + ATA Carnet
Very Low
1. Complete a Commercial Invoice (CI) only
This is the simplest and quickest option. See example.
NOTE:You should be aware that shipping using this
method doesn't guarantee that your items will be imported duty/tax
free. Not all brokers will clear goods as temporary imports (i.e.
UPS, Fedex, DHL) nor is it a guarantee that customs won't charge any
duties and taxes.
2. Commercial Invoice (CI) + an ATA Carnet
Completing an ATA Carnet is great option for items that frequently travel
in and out of the country. It's also great because once you have an ATA
Carnet, it is accepted by 176 countries worldwide making the application
process a one-time thing.
In addition to declaring your commercial invoice as a temporary
import, you can get an ATA Carnet for the items that are of
temporary nature.
ATA Carnets are beyond the scope of the article however, you can
find more information here: http://www.chamber.ca/carnet/
NOTE:It is highly recommended to get an ATA Carnet
for items that frequently travel in and out of the country and
especially so when it is valued over $2,500 USD
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
Carrier tracking number: 736534736 General Description: Temporary Imports - Trade show booth and display equipment returning Jan 2027
Invoice number:
123456MGEP4916926
Customs Broker: UPS Date: 28 May 2023
QTY
Description of Goods
C/O
SubTotal
1 box
Temporary Imports - Trade show booth and display equipment
CA
$1032.00
Terms of Sale: None Total number of packages: 1 Reason for export:Temporary Imports Contact Name: James Smith
Total Invoice Amount: $1032.00 Total Weight: 10.0 lbs
Declaration Statement: I hereby certify that information provided
is true and complete to the best of my knowledge
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.
Carrier tracking number: 736534736 General Description: Permanent/Sold: Parts and accessories for Canon B78n camera
Invoice number:
123456MGEP4916926
Customs Broker: UPS Date: 28 May 2023
QTY
Description of Goods
C/O
SubTotal
15 Each
Camera Lenses: Canon EF 50mm, Canon EF 85mm & wide-angle lenses.
CA
$132.00
Terms of Sale: None Total number of packages: 1 Reason for export:Permanent/Sold Contact Name: James Smith
Total Invoice Amount: $1980.00 Total Weight: 10.0 lbs
Declaration Statement: I hereby certify that information provided
is true and complete to the best of my knowledge
Required Documents
Shipping packages internationally requires a lot of documentation. This
process alone can be confusing and time-consuming. So we’ve narrowed
down what documents you might need and ranked them based on likeliness of
being needed.
Document Type
When?
Details
Shipping Label / Bill of Lading
Always required
This is a label provided by the carrier (UPS, FedEx, DHL, etc.).
Always required because the carrier needs to know the parcel's
destination.
Commercial Invoice
Required for all non-document shipments
For all non-document shipments, you will require 3 copies of the
commercial invoice (to be included with your shipping labels). These
are for customs purposes and need to be included inside a document
pouch outside of the box.
When creating a shipment through the Secureship website, the
system will help you create this document automatically.
B13a
Required if value exceeds $2,000 per shipment or is a controlled
good
A B13a is required if your shipment exceeds $2000 CAD or is a
controlled good and is destined to a country other than the US, Puerto Rico, or the US
Virgin Islands
Canada has a preferential trade agreement with Botswana. A COO
proves that an item has been produced, manufactured or processed in
Canada.
When an item with a COO is imported into Botswana, it will
incur a reduced or zero-rated import duty.
Certificate of Insurance (COI)
Infrequently required
Shows that the shipment has been insured.
Banks may request a certificate of insurance when providing letters
of credit for the goods. Otherwise, it is generally your choice
whether to purchase insurance for the shipment.
ATA Carnet
Infrequently required
Used to avoid duties and taxes on shipments of temporary nature.
If you ship goods of temporary nature to and from a country, you
can obtain an ATA Carnet to expedite the customs clearance process
and ensure that anything of temporary nature is not charged duties
and taxes.
No specific form is required, but generally includes information regarding:
The exporter, importer and transport company
Date of issue
Number of freight invoice
Type and number of packages
Contents of each package
Marks and numbers
Net weight, gross weight and measurements of each package
Prohibited & Restricted Imports
Goods declared prohibited may not enter Botswana while those declared as
restricted may enter. However, restricted goods will have limitations to
quantity or other rules regarding their entry to the country.
Prohibited Items
Semi-precious stones (for e.g. agate and
amethyst)
Firearms, ammunition, and explosives
Obscene and indecent material in any form
- books, photos, videos, etc.
Botswana customs authorities calculate the duty and taxes owed on an
import using the CIF value of a shipment, i.e. the sum of the customs
value plus insurance costs + freight expenses.
CIF Value = Customs Value + Insurance Amount + Freight Costs
By calculating the CIF value of your shipment you will be able to
predict the amount of duty and taxes owed by the recipient.
Thresholds
There are no threshold or de minimis values on shipments to Botswana.
All imports will incur VAT and duty regardless of the value of the
shipment.
Currency
Botswana Pula (BWP)
Duty Exemption (De minimis Value)
N/A
Duty Calculation Method
CIF
TAX (VAT)
12%
Tax Exemption (De minimis Value)
N/A
Tax Calculation Method
CIF
Duties on Imports
Excise Taxes
Imports of certain products into Botswana will incur excise taxes.
These include alcoholic beverages and tobacco products.
You can purchase insurance
through Secureship, and it is provided by the carrier that will be transporting
your shipment.
Each carrier will charge a different amount per $100 of declared
insurance. If you indicate that you need insurance for your shipment, our
system will automatically include the insurance costs for your shipment.
Insurance is great to have in case your package is accidentally lost or
damaged by the carrier. But be careful, not everything you ship is
insurable. Worse - even if your package contains items that are insurable,
if it doesn't meet the ISTA 3A packaging standard, the insurance purchased
through the carrier would not be available to you.
Here are some items that cannot be insured by the carrier:
Personal belongings
Antiques
Artwork
Liquids (including alcohol)
Televisions
Jewellery in excess of $500
Perishable goods
Glass or Ceramic
And many more items
For more information, please see the carrier's terms and conditions.
Shipping to Botswana from Canada can take between 3-5 business days
through the fastest carriers available on the Secureship platform. More
economical services, such as Canada Post, can take up to 1-2
months to complete the delivery.
