Botswana

Doing Business Botswana lays out the process of obtaining import permits for companies bringing specific goods into the country: complete the Control of Imports (Industrial Products) form from MITI; attach supporting endorsements where relevant; provide product samples, valid trading or industry licenses, and identity cards; submit the application, and usually the import permit is issued within one working day.

Infant Industry Protection (IIP)
The BOTC enforces IPPs, which is a temporary measure in the form of additional customs duty, intended to enable newly established industries in the lesser developed member states to withstand competition from other producers in or outside the Common Customs Area. Protection is afforded to an infant industry for a period of 8 years. IIP remains an important instrument to safeguard the survival of industries in Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho and Namibia (BELN) countries against industry in the Republic of South Africa (RSA) and outside the Southern African Customs Union (SACU). An infant industry should have been established in Botswana for not more than eight years, although not all companies less than eight years will qualify, in addition to further criteria.

Trade Remedies
The BOTC also enforces trade defence instruments to defend the local industry against unfair competition from imports. These are World Trade Organisation (WTO) measures domesticated through national regulations on Anti-dumping; Countervailing; and Safeguard Measures.

Tariff Amendments
Botswana being a member of the Southern African Customs Union (SACU) implements a Common External Tariff (CET) i.e. charges the same level of duty as the other countries of the Customs Union.

Before importing or exporting commercially in Botswana, businesses generally need: registration with the Botswana Unified Revenue Service (BURS), a Trader Identification Number (TIN), and in some cases, registration with Companies and Intellectual Property Authority (CIPA) for local operations or subsidiaries.

Import permits are authorised by the Ministry of Investment Trade and Industry (MITI).

Control of Imports (Industrial Products) Permit is issued by MITI and is required before regulated consignments can clear customs in Botswana.

Products subject to Botswana standards may require: technical approval, conformity assessment and standards endorsement from Botswana Bureau of Standards (BOBS).

Health or agricultural clearance (where applicable) by Ministry of Health, import/export control unit under the Medicines Regulatory Authority.

Botswana has specific package labeling requirements designed to prevent misleading information for consumers. These regulations apply to both pre-packaged and wholesale goods, as well as food supplied to restaurants, hospitals, and other institutions. The Botswana Bureau of Standards (BOBS) conducts periodic inspections to ensure compliance with these compulsory standards.

Botswana's national standards system operates under a dual regime of compulsory and voluntary standards, designed to ensure the quality and safety of domestically produced and imported goods while facilitating trade. As a member of the World Trade Organization (WTO), Botswana promotes international cooperation by adopting globally recognized standards and allowing accredited foreign entities to certify products for export to Botswana. the system is governed by two main bodies: BOBS and Botswana Qualifications Authority (BQA). The former creates and enforces certifications and standards, whereas the latter oversees the registration and accreditation of education and training providers.

All imported goods are subject to a Value Added Tax (VAT) of 14 percent, except for items listed in the Third Schedule of the VAT Act, which are also exempt from customs duties. However, these exemptions are limited and rarely relevant to mainstream business enterprises. Goods exported from Botswana are not subject to VAT.
The SAD 500 form is the only document required for external trade. Despite efforts to improve transit procedures and simplify bonding requirements, excessive delays in shipping across SADC borders, particularly with South Africa, continue to negatively impact economic activity. Progress in addressing these issues has been slow.

Southern African Customs Union (SACU) Agreement of 2002
SACU & SADC: Duty-free trade within member states.
SADC-EU Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA): Duty-free and quota-free access to the European Union for most Botswana products.
AGOA (U.S.): Preferential access to the U.S. market for qualifying goods.
SACUM-UK EPA since Jan 2021
Mercosur Preferential Trade Agreement: since 2004
China's Zero-Tariff Policy since June 2025

Absa Bank Botswana: Recognized as the Best Trade Finance Provider in Botswana (2026) by Global Finance for its comprehensive FX, fixed income, and trade solutions.
Standard Chartered Bank Botswana: Offers strong regional and international trade credit facilities.
Stanbic Bank Botswana: Part of Standard Bank Group, offering robust trade finance products.
First National Bank Botswana (FNB): Provides comprehensive corporate trade services.
Access Bank Botswana: Offers trade finance products including bonds, guarantees, and up to 70% financing of invoice values.
National Development Bank (NDB): Focuses on development projects and sector-specific lending.
Ticano Group: Specialises in SME funding across sectors like agriculture and energy, holding NBFIRA regulation.
Export Credit Insurance and Guarantee Company Botswana (BECI): Sole credit insurer, providing insurance and guarantees for exporters.

BOSSC is an investment facilitation centre within BITC which houses relevant government agencies as a single cohesive structure that provides prompt, efficient and transparent services to investors. BOSSC has made available shortened and simple administrative procedures and guidelines for issuance of business approvals, permits and licenses, thereby removing bottlenecks faced by investors in establishing and running businesses in Botswana.

Botswana Development Corporation: BDC is the country's main agency for commercial and industrial development

Botswana Trade Portal: digital platform whose aim is to make available, in a single integrated website, all regulatory trade related information for import and export in Botswana.