🇧🇼 Botswana

All information, articles and links related to this country.

Capital: Gaborone

Binnenland / Bergbau- und DiamantenexportSACU / SADCLandlockedStrasseSchieneLuftfrachtImport VAT: Einfuhr-VAT 12 Prozent (Standardsatz seit 2002)Customs: mittelRisk: mittelPharma/Cold Chain: mittelDangerous Goods: mittelE-Commerce: tief bis mittel

Overview

Botswana (ISO-Code: BW) is located in Southern Africa, bordering South Africa, Namibia, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. Politically, the country is a stable parliamentary democracy with well-developed institutions. The climate is predominantly semi-arid with hot summers, mild winters, and irregular rainfall, which significantly affects agriculture. Economically, Botswana is primarily characterized by diamond exports, mining, and livestock farming, while the industrial sector remains small. The country is import-dependent for fuels, machinery, consumer goods, and food. In foreign trade, South Africa plays a central role as the main supplier and buyer, with the transit function primarily secured through South African ports due to its landlocked position. The national currency is the Pula (BWP), which supports stable payment and trade relations. Logistically, businesses benefit from a well-developed road network and reliable border connections to neighboring countries. Botswana is considered a stable inland market in Southern Africa with increasing significance for regional trade.

Mentioned countries

🇿🇦 South Africa 🇳🇦 Namibia 🇿🇲 Zambia 🇿🇼 Zimbabwe

Glossary terms

Foreign trade Supplier Export Import Import Export Goods Goods Port

Location

lat -24.6463 • lon 25.9119

ISO code

Area

581,730 km²

Population

2,600,000

Currency

Botswana Pula (BWP)

Time

—

Weather

—

Religions

Christentum, Afrikanische Rel.

Customs / Import / Export (Africa)

Quick operational overview for international shipments to Africa. Documentation, pre-clearance and local clearance steps can vary a lot by destination.

Documents (typical)

Commercial invoice (description, value, Incoterms)
Packing list (weights, dimensions, packages)
HS code / tariff classification
Proof of origin / preference docs (where relevant)
Depending on destination/goods: additional permits, inspection or compliance documents

Process (simplified)

Prepare export (docs, HS code, origin)
Import clearance in destination country (declaration, possible checks)
Release and delivery; duties/taxes according to classification and value

Common pitfalls

Vague description or missing HS codes → delays and clarifications
Incoterms unclear: who clears customs/pays charges?
Incomplete origin data → preferential treatment may not apply
Inconsistent documents (invoice vs packing list vs shipment data)

Important: Requirements depend on goods, origin, Incoterms, value, and consignee. When in doubt, confirm with your broker/forwarder and official sources.

Quick links

Look up key terms in the glossary.

Incoterms HS Code AWB (Air Waybill)Bill of Lading (B/L)UN/LOCODE

Official links

Note: regional/general sources. Country-specific authority links will be added iteratively.

World Customs Organization (WCO)

Customs & Import/Export

Customs authority

Botswana Unified Revenue Service (BURS)

Import system

Elektronische Abfertigung ueber das BURS e-Customs Single Electronic Window (TFBSEW) mit SAD-500-Deklaration. Als SACU-Mitglied keine Zoelle im Binnenverkehr mit ZA, NA, LS und SZ.

Export system

Ausfuhren laufen ueber das BURS e-Customs System mit SAD-500-Deklaration. Innerhalb der SACU keine Zoelle; Hauptexport Diamanten ueber Antwerpen sowie regionale Maerkte.

Import VAT

Einfuhr-VAT 12 Prozent (Standardsatz seit 2002)
Nullsatz fuer bestimmte Lieferungen. VAT-Registrierungspflicht ab steuerbarem Jahresumsatz von P500'000.

Customs complexitymittel

Import documents

Handelsrechnung
Frachtbrief
SAD 500 Zolldeklaration
Ursprungszeugnis
Packliste
Einfuhrbewilligung (sofern erforderlich)

Export documents

Handelsrechnung
SAD 500 Zolldeklaration
Ursprungszeugnis
Packliste
Kimberley-Prozess-Zertifikat (Rohdiamanten)

Origin proofs / FTA

SACU-Binnenhandel ohne Zoelle; Praeferenzen im Rahmen von SADC, SACU-EFTA, SADC-EU-EPA und AGOA. Ursprungsnachweise je nach Abkommen erforderlich.

Restricted & prohibited goods

BURS reguliert verbotene und beschraenkte Waren an den Grenzen, u.a. Waffen, Drogen, bestimmte Lebensmittel sowie Tier- und Pflanzenprodukte; teils sind Bewilligungen noetig.

Without warranty — always verify with freight forwarder/customs agent and official authorities.

Trade

Top import partners

Top export partners

Top import goods

Maschinen
Fahrzeuge
Erdölprodukte
Konsumgüter
Nahrungsmittel

Top export goods

Diamanten
Kupfer
Nickel
Rindfleisch
Gold

Freight Infrastructure & Transport Network

Cargo airports

Sir Seretse Khama International Airport (GBE), Gaborone
Maun (MUB)
Kasane (BBK)
Francistown (FRW)

Inland ports & terminals

Botswana Dry Port, Walvis Bay (Namibia)

Road corridors & border crossings

Trans-Kalahari-Korridor (Gaborone-Walvis Bay)
Nord-Sued-Korridor (nach Durban via Suedafrika)
A1 Lobatse-Gaborone-Francistown-Ramokgwebana
Kazungula-Korridor (nach Sambia)

Rail corridors

Botswana-Railways-Hauptlinie Ramatlabama-Lobatse-Gaborone-Francistown-Plumtree
Anbindung an das suedafrikanische und simbabwische Schienennetz

Top trade lanes

Botswana-Suedafrika (Strasse/Schiene)
Botswana-Namibia (Walvis Bay)
Botswana-Belgien/Indien (Diamanten, Luftfracht)

Risk & Operational Notes

Logistics riskmittel

Customs delay riskmittel

Port congestion risktief (Binnenland; Haefen in ZA und NA)

Risk notes

Binnenlage erhoeht die Transitabhaengigkeit von Haefen in Suedafrika und Namibia. Grenzuebergaenge und Hafenstaus in Durban koennen Laufzeiten verlaengern.

Seasonal & weather risks

Regenzeit von November bis Maerz kann laendliche Strassen beeintraechtigen; in der Trockenzeit ist das Netz ueberwiegend gut befahrbar.

Current logistics notes

Die Kazungula-Bruecke (Strasse und Schiene) ueber den Sambesi verbindet seit 2021 Botswana und Sambia und entlastet den Nord-Sued-Korridor.

As of: 2026-06-21

Operational notes – no claim to completeness. Verify with your freight forwarder and official sources.

Related Countries

🇿🇦ZA 🇨🇳CN 🇦🇪AE 🇮🇳IN 🇺🇸US 🇧🇪BE

✈️ Airports in this country

All airports →

Sir Seretse Khama International Airport

Selebi Phikwe Airport

Khwai Private Game Reserve

Sources & Data Confidence

hochVerified: 2026-06-21

Official sources

burs.org.bw
sacu.int

Source references without warranty. For legal/tax decisions consult official authorities.

FAQ

Ist Botswana ein Binnenland?

Ja. Botswana hat keinen Meereszugang; Importe und Exporte laufen ueber Haefen in Suedafrika (Durban) und Namibia (Walvis Bay).

Welcher Mehrwertsteuersatz gilt in Botswana?

Der VAT-Standardsatz betraegt 12 Prozent; bestimmte Lieferungen sind mit dem Nullsatz von 0 Prozent belegt (Quelle: BURS).

Ab wann besteht VAT-Registrierungspflicht?

Ab einem steuerbaren Jahresumsatz von ueber P500'000 muss man sich fuer VAT registrieren.

Welche Zollbehoerde ist zustaendig?

Der Botswana Unified Revenue Service (BURS). Die Abfertigung erfolgt elektronisch ueber das e-Customs Single Electronic Window.

Fallen im Handel mit Suedafrika Zoelle an?

Nein. Innerhalb der SACU (Suedafrika, Namibia, Lesotho, Eswatini) bewegen sich Waren zollfrei; erhoben werden nur lokale Steuern wie die VAT.

Welches Deklarationsdokument wird verwendet?

Die SAD-500-Zolldeklaration, die elektronisch ueber das BURS e-Customs System eingereicht wird.

Welche Hauptgueter exportiert Botswana?

Vor allem Diamanten sowie Kupfer, Nickel und Rindfleisch.

Welche Verkehrstraeger sind fuer Botswana relevant?

Strasse und Schiene fuer den Regionalverkehr sowie Luftfracht, insbesondere fuer Diamanten.

What are the latest news for Botswana?

Here you can find the latest published news related to Botswana.

Which airports are in Botswana?

This page lists selected airports in the country and links to the full list.

Which seaports are in Botswana?

This page lists selected seaports in the country and links to the full list.

All seaports in BW

Which trade partners are important for Botswana?

This page links to important partner countries (based on import/export partners) for quick context.

Glossary quick links

Incoterms AWB (Air Waybill)Bill of Lading (B/L)HS Code UN/LOCODE

Last updated: 20 June 2026