Moving to Botswana

Moving Guide

Visa & Residence

Navigating the visa and residence permit process for Botswana depends significantly on your nationality. Citizens from some regions, such as the European Union, may have different entry requirements compared to non-EU citizens. The typical routes for obtaining a long-term stay permit include employment (work permit), family reunification (if you are joining a spouse or parent who is a resident), study (student permit), or a general residence permit for those with sufficient means to support themselves without working. It is crucial to remember that regulations can change, so always verify the most current requirements directly with the official government immigration department of Botswana or your nearest Botswana embassy/high commission before making any definitive plans.

Housing & Rental

Finding suitable housing in Botswana, particularly in urban centers like Gaborone or Francistown, can be done through various channels. Many expatriates find success using local real estate agents who have a good understanding of the market and available properties. Online property portals, local newspaper classifieds, and even word-of-mouth within expat communities are also valuable resources. The typical rental process involves identifying a property, viewing it, and then signing a lease agreement. Landlords usually require a security deposit, often equivalent to one or two months' rent, in addition to the first month's rent upfront. For temporary accommodation upon arrival, serviced apartments, guesthouses, or hotels are common choices, allowing you time to search for a long-term rental that fits your needs and budget.

What Affects the Cost of Your Move

The total cost of your relocation to Botswana is influenced by several key factors. The volume of goods you intend to move is a primary determinant; more items mean greater shipping costs. The distance of your move, particularly whether you are shipping internationally by sea or air, also plays a significant role. The season of your move can sometimes affect pricing, with peak moving seasons potentially incurring higher costs. Accessibility at both your origin and destination, such as whether your home is easily reachable by larger vehicles or if there are stairs involved, can impact labor and logistics. Finally, any additional services you request, such as professional packing, unpacking, or storage, will add to the overall expense. For an exact price tailored to your specific needs, a free quote is always recommended.

Timeline & Packing Tips

• 8 Weeks Before: Begin decluttering your home. Decide what to keep, sell, donate, or discard. Research schools if you have children and start the enrollment process. Gather important documents: passports, visas, birth certificates, medical records, and financial statements.
• 6 Weeks Before: Obtain multiple quotes from relocation service providers. Confirm your moving date. Start notifying relevant parties of your move (banks, insurance, subscriptions). Arrange for any necessary pet travel documentation and vaccinations.
• 4 Weeks Before: Begin packing non-essential items. Label boxes clearly with contents and destination room. Confirm utility disconnections/reconnections at both ends. Arrange for mail forwarding.
• 2 Weeks Before: Pack essential items you'll need immediately upon arrival (toiletries, medications, important documents, a change of clothes). Confirm travel arrangements. Empty and defrost your refrigerator/freezer.
• 1 Week Before: Confirm final arrangements with your relocation service. Pack a "first night" box with essentials. Clean your old home.
• Moving Day: Oversee the loading of your belongings. Do a final walkthrough of your old home.

For a precise estimate of your relocation expenses, request a free quote on relocation123.com.

Visas, immigration & documents

Moving to this country often involves visas, residence permits, document translation/legalization and customs paperwork. Our verified partners handle the move itself; for visa or immigration help, send the request below and we'll point you the right way.

• Residence permit / visa (work, study, family)
• Document translation & apostille
• Customs clearance for personal effects
• Travel & goods insurance

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Customs & Import Rules

Moving to Botswana: Your Essential Customs & Import Guide

Relocating to Botswana is an exciting adventure! To help ensure a smooth transition, understanding the customs and import regulations for your personal belongings and other items is crucial. This guide breaks down what you need to know for a hassle-free move.

If you're relocating as a new resident (non-diplomatic)

If you're moving to Botswana for employment or permanent settlement, your personal effects and household furniture, including equipment necessary for your profession (excluding industrial, commercial, or agricultural plant and motor vehicles), can generally be admitted duty-free. These goods must be for your own use and not intended for sale or disposal within two years of importation.

What you'll need

• Original CE 101 form (in duplicate)
• Copies of your passport, including the page showing your date of entry into Botswana
• Detailed inventory of your belongings with declared values for customs
• Long-Term or Permanent Work and Residence permit or Exemption Certificate (for foreigners)
• Letter of appointment stating your contract duration is greater than 2 years (for foreigners)

Good to know

• Duty-free entry is typically allowed only if completed within 6 months of your work permit issue date. After this period, duties and taxes will apply.
• The goods must be the bona fide property of you and your family, imported for your own use upon changing residence to Botswana.
• You cannot sell or dispose of these goods to other persons within two years from the date of importation.

Returning Botswana citizens

If you are a Botswana citizen returning home, you can also import your household goods duty-free under specific conditions.

What you'll need

• Original CE 101 form (in duplicate)
• Copies of your passport, including the page showing your date of entry into Botswana
• Detailed inventory of your belongings with declared values for customs
• Letter from your employer at origin confirming your appointment description, duration, and termination date.

Good to know

• The same conditions regarding the sale or disposal of goods within two years apply.

Returning Botswana officials from government representations

Botswana officials returning from government representations abroad have specific provisions for importing their belongings.

What you'll need

• Original CE 101 form (in duplicate)
• Copies of your passport, including the page showing your date of entry into Botswana
• Detailed inventory of your belongings with declared values for customs
• Letter of recall from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Good to know

• The same conditions regarding the sale or disposal of goods within two years apply.

Diplomatic moves

Diplomatic staff benefit from duty-free entry for their household goods and vehicles.

What you'll need

• Certificate A from your accredited diplomatic organization (e.g., foreign embassy, UN organization)
• Invoice/declaration of value
• Diplomatic staff's exemption permit and diplomatic ID card
• Packing list
• Copy of Bill of Lading (BL) or Air Waybill (AWB)

Good to know

• Your diplomatic organization will submit the completed Certificate A to the Botswana Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which will then be endorsed by BURS.

Technical assistance personnel

Personnel assigned to the Government of Botswana under a technical assistance agreement also have specific import concessions.

What you'll need

• CE 110 form from your accredited technical assistance organization (e.g., US Peace Corps, GIZ)
• Invoice/declaration of value
• Technical assistance staff's exemption permit and passport copy
• Packing list
• Copy of Bill of Lading (BL) or Air Waybill (AWB)
• Copy of the agreement with the Botswana government for technical cooperation

Good to know

• Your technical assistance organization will submit the completed CE 110 form directly to BURS.
• Additional concessions may be available; details can be obtained from the Director of Customs and Excise Botswana.

Bringing special items

Vehicles

You can import one motor vehicle (car, motorcycle, or moped) duty-free per family if you are a new resident, provided it has been in your possession abroad for more than 365 days before export and will not be sold or disposed of for two years from import. Returning residents are permitted duty-free entry if they have been abroad for more than two years.

What you'll need

• Original customs form CE101 (in duplicate)
• Registration papers from the country of origin (with official English translation if needed)
• An evaluation of the vehicle from an accredited dealer or equivalent
• Document proving ownership abroad for more than 365 days (e.g., original purchase invoice, insurance certificate)
• Copies of your passport, including the page with your date of entry into Botswana
• Long-Term or Permanent Work and Residence permit or Exemption Certificate (for foreigners)
• Letter of appointment stating contract duration is greater than 2 years (for foreigners)
• Letter from employer at origin confirming appointment details and termination date (for returning Botswana citizens)
• Letter of recall from Ministry of Foreign Affairs (for returning Botswana officials)

Good to know

• Duty-free entry is only permissible if done within 6 months of the work permit issue date. Otherwise, duties and taxes apply in Botswana Pula.
• Your Botswana registration and driver's license must be obtained within 6 months of arrival.
• All pre-owned vehicles are subject to Interpol verification before Police clearance and transport registration.
• Caravans and trailers towed in with your car on initial entry are duty-free. Otherwise, they are subject to duties and taxes on their CIF value.

Pets

Bringing your beloved pets requires specific documentation to ensure their safe and legal entry.

What you'll need

• A valid certificate of identity
• Rabies vaccination certificate
• Movement permit
• Microchip certification
• Postal address at origin and destination

Restricted & prohibited items

Certain items are either restricted and require permits, or are completely prohibited from entering Botswana.

Restricted Items (require permits):

• Boats: Require an Import Permit from the Department of Water Affairs.
• Seeds, bulbs, plants, trees: Require a Plant Health Certificate from the Ministry of Agriculture. South African transit permits may also be needed if shipping through South Africa.
• Firearms/Ammunition: Require an Import Permit from the Commissioner of Police. Firearms without a manufacturer's serial number or other identifying mark are strictly prohibited.

Prohibited Goods (importation and possession is illegal):

• Narcotic, habit-forming drugs and related substances in any form
• Military firearms, ammunition, and explosives
• Indecent and obscene material (e.g., pornographic books, magazines, films, videos, DVDs, software)
• Semi-precious stones such as agate, amethyst, Botswana pink, jade, rose quartz, carnelian, chalcedony, crystal quartz, tourmaline, jasper, tanzanite, garnet, moss agate, tiger’s eye, sodalite, aquamarine, azurite, and malachite.

Good to know

• Possession of prohibited goods is illegal and can result in seizure and prosecution.

Alcohol & tobacco

You are allowed to bring in a limited quantity of alcohol and tobacco products duty-free for personal use.

Duty-Free Allowances per person (must be declared upon entry):

• Wines: 2 litres
• Spirits and other alcoholic beverages: 1 litre
• Cigarettes: 200
• Cigars: 20
• Cigarette or pipe tobacco: 250 grammes
• Perfume: 50 ml
• Toilet water: 250 ml

Good to know

• These allowances do not apply to goods imported for business or commercial purposes.
• Children under 18 can claim allowances for goods other than tobacco and alcohol, provided the items are for their own use.
• Additional new or used goods from outside the Southern African Customs Union (SACU) up to a total value of 3000 UA (equivalent to ZAR 3000) are duty-free.
• Additional new or used goods from SACU up to a total value of 500 UA (equivalent to ZAR 500) are duty-free.
• You may import additional new or used goods from outside SACU, up to 12,000 UA (excluding consumables), at a flat rate of 20% if you choose.

Frequently asked questions

How long do I have to import my household goods duty-free?
For new residents, duty-free entry is generally permissible within 6 months of the date your work permit was issued.

Can I sell my imported household goods or vehicle?
No, you cannot sell or dispose of duty-free imported household goods or vehicles to other persons within two years from the date of importation.

What if my vehicle registration papers are not in English?
You will need to provide an official translation of your vehicle registration papers into English.

Are there any special allowances for children?
Yes, children under 18 years old can claim duty-free concessions for new or used goods (excluding tobacco and alcoholic products), provided the goods are for their own use.

What happens if I import prohibited goods?
Importing prohibited goods is illegal and will result in the seizure of the goods and potential prosecution.

Do I need a permit for all plants and seeds?
Yes, all seeds, bulbs, plants, and trees require a Plant Health Certificate from the Ministry of Agriculture.

For personalized assistance with your move to Botswana, please contact relocation123.com.

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