Basic information
Outline of the system
Import Permit is regulated under Control of goods, Prices and other Charges Act, Statutory Instrument No.52 of 2003, (Cap 43:08). The information is published in a number of publications including the Botswana Trade Portal website, and Government portals and various flyers. The information published is in terms of requirements for obtaining the permits not on quotas as these are not import quotas.
Product coverage
(a) Loaves of bread (exceeding 6 loaves per week).
(b) Pie pastries (exceeding 5kg of pasties per week).
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. These are import permits and can therefore be used solely for importation. Monitoring is done through the customs declaration processes. Information on trade data is available upon request from Statistics Botswana.
Questions for products under restriction as to the quantity or value of imports
No 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.52 of 2003, (Cap 43:08) which is an Act of Parliament that can only be amended by Parliament processes. The Act specifies the products covered and is not subject to any discretion.
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. The Act specifies the products covered and is not subject to any discretion.
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 do not 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 International Trade, under the Ministry of Investment Trade and Industry
Documentation requirements
What information is required in applications?
Company details, name of exporting country, quantities and products, name, port of entry, destination of goods.
What documents is the importer required to supply with the application?
Company certificate of incorporation, Trading License, request letter, National Identity card/passport.
Window of submission of an application
How far in advance of importation must application for a licence be made?
N/A.
Are there any limitations as to the period of the year during which application for licence can be made? If so, explain
Import permits do not depend on any period of the year.
Issuing the license
Can a licence be granted immediately on request?
Import permits are issued immediately on request (within one day), by the Department of International Trade solely, on request provided that the importer satisfies the requirements. Applications for a permit should be submitted before importation, there is no specific days required for the application, however an importer is expected to hold a valid import permit at the time of importation.
Can licences be obtained within a shorter time-limit or for goods arriving at the port without a licence
N/A.
Which administrative body is responsible for approving application of licences?
Import permits applications are approved by the Department of International Trade, under the Ministry of Investment Trade and Industry only.
Must the applications be passed on to other organs for visa, note or approval?
Are there any other conditions attached to the issue of a licence?
The 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?
BWP100.
Is there any deposit or advance payment required associated with the issue of licences?
No.
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 unless reasons for the application are not valid or if applicant has made false claims in order to be granted the permit.
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
If so, to what bodies and under what procedures?
Applicants have the right to appeal to the Minister of Investment Trade and Industry with 30 days of receiving the Director of International Trade's decision.
Importation
Are there any limitations as to the period of year during which importation may be made?
Import permits do not depend on any period of the year.
What documents are required upon actual importation?
A valid import permit.
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 six (6) months and renewed upon expiry.
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.
Foreign Exchange
Is foreign exchange automatically provided by the banking authorities for goods to be imported?
N/A.
Is a licence required as a condition to obtaining foreign exchange?
N/A.
Is foreign exchange always available to cover licences issued?
N/A.
What formalities must be fulfilled for obtaining the foreign exchange?
N/A.