• Age Limits & Roadworthiness
  There is no statutory import age restriction. However, any passenger vehicle manufactured 3 years or more before the date of import must undergo a roadworthiness test conducted by the Department of Road Transport and Safety (DRTS) before it can be registered and licensed for use on public roads.
  
  

• Left‑Hand Drive (LHD) Vehicles
  Left‑hand drive vehicles are prohibited from permanent registration in Botswana, except where specifically exempted (e.g., diplomatic missions, vintage vehicles older than 30 years, or vehicles imported for off‑road or agricultural use). Enforcement is strict – all vehicles intended for normal road use must be right‑hand drive (RHD).
  
  

• Pre‑Export Inspection
  Botswana does not require a mandatory pre‑export inspection programme (such as JEVIC or QISJ) for used passenger vehicles. Nevertheless, shipping a vehicle with a valid roadworthiness certificate from the country of export can facilitate the local DRTS inspection.

All customs charges are levied on the CIF value (Cost, Insurance, Freight). The Botswana Unified Revenue Service (BURS) applies taxes in the following order:

1. Customs Duty = CIF Value × 27%

2. Value‑Added Tax (VAT) = (CIF Value + Customs Duty) × 12%

3. Total BURS Taxes Payable = Customs Duty + VAT

4. Estimated Total Landed Cost = CIF Value + Total BURS Taxes

BURS may reject the declared invoice value if it does not align with their internal fair‑market vehicle values. The rates shown are for a passenger vehicle imported from outside the Southern African Customs Union (SACU).

To avoid fines and ensure legal on road compliance after import, every passenger vehicle must carry the following items, as mandated by Botswana’s Road Traffic Act (Chapter 69:01) and the Road Worthiness Regulations, 2017 (S.I. No. 61 of 2017).

Mandatory Safety Equipment – All Motor Vehicles

• At least one serviceable fire extinguisher (minimum 1 kg dry‑powder type, securely mounted and accessible to the driver).

• Two (2) warning triangles (red reflective, to SABS or equivalent standard, placed at least 45 metres behind the vehicle in case of breakdown).

• A reflective jacket/vest for the driver (orange/yellow with retro‑reflective strips).

• A serviceable spare wheel and the necessary tools to change it (jack and wheel spanner).

• First‑aid kit (basic, with bandages, antiseptic, and gloves).

Additional Requirements for Commercial/PSV Vehicles

• Fire extinguisher must be 2 kg or larger; an additional extinguisher is required if the vehicle carries flammable goods.

• Honeycomb or continuous reflective tape (retro‑reflective red/yellow) must be fitted to the sides and rear of the vehicle, conforming to the dimensions set out in the regulations.

• Speed limiter (set to a maximum of 80 km/h for goods vehicles, 100 km/h for passenger‑carrying vehicles).

Driving Through Other African Countries?

Whilst most countries will have similar mandatory requirements for vehicles on their roads, it is always worth checking before you travel to avoid potential delays or fines. Find out requirements of other countries.