MWB TRADING offers importers, distributors and companies in Botswana, from Tunisia, cables and equipment for power networks, LED lighting and wiring devices, pipes and fittings, tiles, sanitaryware and taps, as well as pumps and generator sets. Goods leave from Radès (Tunis) or Sfax; our offers are made delivered to the transit port, Durban or Walvis Bay, on CFR or CIF terms, in full 20 or 40-foot containers or as groupage for small volumes.
This guide sets out the verified points for importing into Botswana, a landlocked country: the transit ports and corridors leading to Gaborone, the online customs declaration with the Botswana Unified Revenue Service (BURS), the import permit, the certificate of conformity required for products regulated by the Botswana Bureau of Standards (BOBS), the SACU common external tariff and the possible AfCFTA preference, and what to state in your enquiry.
Sources: US Department of Commerce country guide (December 2025), Botswana Unified Revenue Service (single window and import guide), Government of Botswana (import permits), datasheets from inspection bodies recognised by BOBS (2024 and 2026), Walvis Bay Corridor Group (2026), Botswana Railways (2024), French regional economic service in Pretoria (January 2025), Botswana and Namibian press on the AfCFTA (2024 and 2026), SADC and COMESA, lists of countries requiring a cargo tracking note (Maersk, 2024; GetCTN, 2026). Checked in October 2026; to be confirmed with your freight forwarder before each shipment.
These ranges from the MWB catalogue are offered from Tunisia for delivery to Botswana, delivered to the transit port. References, required standards and quantities are confirmed in each offer; for products regulated by BOBS, the technical data sheets are attached for the certificate of conformity application.
Low and medium-voltage power cables, control cables, building wires and cables. Electric cables for fixed installations are on the list of products regulated by BOBS: state the cross-sections, drum lengths and the standard required.
Electrical cables Power and control cables Building wires and cablesMV/LV distribution transformers, prefabricated substations and medium-voltage switchgear. State the rating, primary and secondary voltages and the type of installation.
Transformers and network equipment MV/LV distribution transformers Prefabricated MV/LV substationsLED lamps, luminaires and street lights, socket-outlets, switches and wiring devices for buildings and roads. LED lamps, some luminaires and socket-outlets are on the list of products regulated by BOBS: the technical data sheet of each model is attached to the offer.
Lighting and luminaires Street lighting Electrical wiring devicesHDPE and PVC pressure pipes for water supply and industrial sites, PVC drainage pipes, PPR pipes and fittings for plumbing. State the diameters, pressure ratings and lengths.
HDPE pipes and fittings PVC pressure pipes PVC drainage pipes and fittings PPR pipes and fittingsFloor and wall tiles, tile adhesives, sanitaryware and taps for housing and buildings, which can be grouped with other product families in the same container.
Floor and wall tiles Tile adhesives Taps and sanitaryware Taps and valvesWater pumps, motor pumps and generator sets for construction sites and installations, with the technical data sheet of each model and the voltage required on site.
Water pumps and motor pumps Generator setsBotswana has no access to the sea. From Tunisia, containers arrive, with transhipment depending on the shipping line, at Durban in South Africa, the country’s main transit port according to Botswana Railways, or at Walvis Bay in Namibia. From Durban, road and rail reach Gaborone; from Walvis Bay, the Trans-Kalahari Corridor runs through Windhoek to Gaborone, and a railway links Walvis Bay to Gobabis, where transhipment facilities are available. Our offers are made delivered to the transit port; onward transport to Botswana and the transit procedure are arranged with your freight forwarder.
The customs declaration, on the SAD 500 form, is lodged electronically with BURS, which has set up an electronic single window for clearing goods. Goods belonging to companies are cleared by a registered clearing agent or by a company registered to clear its own goods. The declaration is supported by the manifest, the supplier’s invoice, the transport documents, the certificate of origin where a preference is claimed and any required permits. Goods entering Botswana directly from outside SACU need an import permit, issued by the Department of International Trade in the Ministry of Trade and Entrepreneurship and normally granted on request. Botswana does not appear on the lists of countries requiring an electronic cargo tracking note. MWB prepares the commercial invoice, packing list, certificate of origin and technical data sheets for the shipment.
Since 1 April 2024, Botswana has applied 2023 regulations on compulsory standards, which replace the former import inspection regulations. Regulated products must meet the standards of the Botswana Bureau of Standards (BOBS): they are inspected, and tested where necessary, in the country of origin before shipment by a body recognised by BOBS, which issues a certificate of conformity (CoC). The importer then obtains from BOBS, before the goods arrive, the authorisation needed for customs clearance; BOBS permits have been applied for online through the BURS single window since September 2021. The 2024 list includes electric cables for fixed installations, LED lamps, some luminaires, socket-outlets, circuit breakers and cement; a new edition of the list was announced in 2026. Ask your freight forwarder to check whether your product is on it.
State the delivery city in Botswana and the preferred transit port, Durban or Walvis Bay, with the references, quantities and required standards. Flag the products that are on the BOBS list, and say whether several product families can share a container, whether you want a CFR, CIF or FOB offer, and who arranges transport to Botswana.
Availability, transport, lead times and documents are confirmed in each offer.
State your products, quantities, delivery city and preferred transit port, Durban or Walvis Bay. Botswana is already selected; you can change it.
Chat on WhatsAppYes, for products regulated by the Botswana Bureau of Standards (BOBS), including electric cables for fixed installations, LED lamps, socket-outlets and cement in the 2024 list. They are inspected in the country of origin, before shipment, by a body recognised by BOBS, which issues a certificate of conformity; the importer then obtains the BOBS authorisation online, before arrival. MWB attaches to its offer the technical data sheets needed for this process.
Yes: goods entering Botswana directly from outside SACU need an import permit, issued by the Department of International Trade and normally granted on request. For some industrial products, a BOBS approval accompanies the application. Your freight forwarder confirms the permits needed for your product before loading.
Durban in South Africa or Walvis Bay in Namibia, with transhipment depending on the shipping line. From Durban, goods reach Gaborone by road or rail; from Walvis Bay, along the Trans-Kalahari road corridor. Our offers are made delivered to the transit port, on CFR or CIF terms, from Radès (Tunis) or Sfax; FOB is possible on request.
Goods from outside SACU pay the duties of the customs union’s common external tariff, published in the BURS customs tariff, plus import VAT. Tunisia is not a SADC member and Botswana is not a COMESA member, so neither area opens a preference for Tunisian products. Botswana and Tunisia are, however, among the states that have published their provisional AfCFTA schedules of tariff concessions: for products that meet its rules of origin, a preference is possible with an AfCFTA certificate of origin. Ask your freight forwarder and BURS to confirm that it applies before ordering.
Yes: several product families can be grouped in the same 20 or 40-foot container, and small volumes travel as groupage. For an urgent need for small quantities, air freight from Tunis-Carthage is possible on request.
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