Question 1

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?

Accepted Answer

For new residents, duty-free entry is generally permissible within 6 months of the date your work permit was issued.

Question 2

Can I sell my imported household goods or vehicle?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 3

What if my vehicle registration papers are not in English?

Accepted Answer

You will need to provide an official translation of your vehicle registration papers into English.

Question 4

Are there any special allowances for children?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 5

What happens if I import prohibited goods?

Accepted Answer

Importing prohibited goods is illegal and will result in the seizure of the goods and potential prosecution.

Question 6

Do I need a permit for all plants and seeds?

Accepted Answer

Yes, all seeds, bulbs, plants, and trees require a Plant Health Certificate from the Ministry of Agriculture.

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