Basic information
Outline of the system
The Import Permit is regulated under Control of goods, Prices and other Charges Act. Statutory Instrument No.66 of 2005, (Cap 43:08). The information is published in a number of publications including the Botswana Trade Portal website, Ministry of Agricultural Development and Food Security (MoA) and Government portals and various flyers. The information published is in terms of requirements for obtaining permits.
Product coverage
(i) Cereal for the purpose of these regulations shall include maize, sorghum, wheat and millet as well as by-products derived from processing these cereals.
(ii) Pulses for the purpose of these regulations shall refer to leguminous crops, such as lentils and beans.
(iii) Horticulture for the purpose of these regulations shall refer to fruits and vegetables.
Nature of licensing
Automatic
If Automatic, administrative purpose
Non-Automatic
If Non-Automatic, description of the notified Non-Automatic Licensing regime
Products under restriction as to the quantity or value of imports
The licensing is intended to monitor the quantity of imports. The maximum amount to be allocated depends on whether the permit is obtained for consumption or business purposes. Companies do not have a maximum quantity while individuals obtaining the permit for individual consumption are limited to a certain quantity.
Questions for products under restriction as to the quantity or value of imports
These are not import quotas.
The system applies to products originating from which country?
The system applies to goods originating from all countries.
Expected duration of licensing procedure
Legal requirements
Is the licensing statutorily required?
The Import Permit is regulated under Control of goods, Prices and other Charges Act. Statutory Instrument No.66 of 2005, (Cap 43:08)
Does the legislation leave designation of products to be subject to licensing to administrative discretion?
The Act specifies the products covered and is not subject to any discretion.
Is it possible for the government to abolish the system without legislative approval?
An Act of Parliament that can only be amended by Parliament processes.
Eligibility of applicants
Is there a system of registration of persons or firms permitted to engage in importation?
What persons or firms are eligible to apply for a licence?
All persons/firms and institutions are eligible to apply for an import permit unless they meet the requirements.
Is there a registration fee?
Is there a published list of authorized importers?
Contact point for information on eligibility
Ministry/Authority
Address
Telephone
Fax
E-mail address
Website
Contact officer
Submission of an application
Administrative body(ies) for submission of an application
Department of Agribusiness Promotion in the Ministry of Agricultural Development and Food Security
Documentation requirements
What information is required in applications?
Personal/company details, name of exporting country, quantities and products, name of export destination, port of entry.
What documents is the importer required to supply with the application?
Window of submission of an application
How far in advance of importation must application for a licence be made?
The permit operates continuously and therefore no need to call for applications.
Are there any limitations as to the period of the year during which application for licence can be made? If so, explain
Import permits are issued immediately on request and does not depend on any period of the year.
Issuing the license
Can a licence be granted immediately on request?
Yes, they are issued automatically. The permit is issued immediately on request and takes less than five (5) minutes to issue.
Can licences be obtained within a shorter time-limit or for goods arriving at the port without a licence
The permit operates continuously and therefore no need to call for applications.
Which administrative body is responsible for approving application of licences?
Import permits are issued by the Department of Agribusiness Promotion in the Ministry of Agricultural Development and Food Security
Must the applications be passed on to other organs for visa, note or approval?
It does not need to be passed on to other organs for approval.
Are there any other conditions attached to the issue of a licence?
The application for an import permit in respect of goods, the importation of which is restricted under any other law of Botswana, must be accompanied by a valid permit issued under the law concerned. There are no other conditions.
Fees and other administrative charges
Is there any licensing fee or administrative charge?
Yes.
What is the amount of the fee or charge?
Permits are charged a fee of 150 BWP (P 150.00).
Is there any deposit or advance payment required associated with the issue of licences?
There are no payments required to get a permit.
Amount or rate?
Is it refundable?
What is the period of retention?
What is the purpose of this requirement?
Refusal of an application
Under what circumstances may an application for a licence be refused other than failure to meet the ordinary criteria?
An application cannot be refused if the applicant meets the ordinary criteria.
Are the reasons for any refusal given to applicants?
Have applicants a right of appeal in the event of refusal to issue a licence?
Applicants have the right to appeal using the available structures if they are not satisfied with any process of their application.
If so, to what bodies and under what procedures?
Importation
Are there any limitations as to the period of year during which importation may be made?
Import permits are issued immediately on request and does not depend on any period of the year.
What documents are required upon actual importation?
A valid import permit together with a valid Sanitary and Phytosanitary Certificate where necessary.
Are there any other administrative procedures, apart from import licensing and similar administrative procedures, required prior to importation?
There are no other administrative procedures.
Conditions of licensing
What is the period of validity of a licence? Can the validity be extended? How?
Import permit is valid for a period not exceeding thirty (30) days; however, if the importer has exhausted their given quantity the permit is considered expired and can be renewed.
Is there any penalty for the non-utilization of a licence or a portion of a licence?
There are no penalties for not utilizing a permit.
Are licences transferable between importers? If so, are any limitations or conditions attached to such transfer?
Import permits are not transferable, however, with prior arrangements the importer is allowed to engage an agent/transporter.
Foreign Exchange
Is foreign exchange automatically provided by the banking authorities for goods to be imported?
Foreign exchange is always made available by relevant authorities.