All cross-border transporters carrying goods across the border to and from Botswana will soon be required to obtain a new customs clearance before they can start their trip to any Border Post, which will significantly change the management of regional transport of goods.
The Botswana Unified Revenue Service (BURS) is implementing a policy that all road freight operators, exporters and importers of commercial cargo will have to obtain customs clearance in advance using the BURS Customs Management System from August 1.
In the new model, the customs declaration documents are to be filed electronically prior to the truck’s departure from the home country for the border. All supporting documentation will need to be uploaded and a “PROCEED TO BORDER” status given before the vehicle may proceed to a border crossing by the operator. The re-routing will change the way customs is processed from the border gate to the planning stage, where the paperwork for goods will be checked before vehicles are sent in.
Those transporters who do not get the proper customs declaration, could be facing penalties up to P10,000 (R12,094), so the government has been determined to improve enforcement of customs regulations. The new requirements are targeted at commercial road freight transport and would impact a broad spectrum of stakeholders, whether it be transporting companies, customs clearing agents, or importers/exporters who utilize Botswana’s border posts for their goods. The changes will affect the customs documentation process, which no longer can be considered as something done on the way or at the border by the logistics operator. Rather, documentation will have to be completed a long time before vehicles are sent on their way
The project is part of BURS’s efforts to automate the customs clearance process before trucks arrive at the border, BURS said. In the pre-arrival processing period, the congestion at the busy border posts is expected to be reduced, the administrative delay is minimized, and the customs officials are able to concentrate on cargo inspection and risk assessment rather than processing of documents by hand. This is similar to the trend in the region where customs administrations are investing in digital systems and advanced cargo information to enhance trade facilitation and border security.
When declarations are reviewed prior to arrival at the border, it is easier to spot documentation problems early, minimizing the risk of trucks being detained to correct documentation. As the date for implementation nears, BURS has encouraged businesses engaged in cross-border trade to become familiar with the new processes and to ensure that internal processes are in place to adhere to the new regulations.
Transport firms may have to make changes to their dispatching schedules in order to make the extra approval process work, while customs clearance agents will be required to submit customs clearance documents promptly to avoid interruption in delivery schedules.
The new rules require a bit more compliance but are expected to lead to more routine and efficient customs processing once enforced, and minimize last-minute customs documentation challenges
Early preparation will be essential for businesses doing trade in Botswana. If the necessary “PROCEED TO BORDER” clearance is not received before departure, the consequences may be financial penalties as well as delays to the supply chain for the entire Southern African region.
Press release: https://web.facebook.com/photo?fbid=1518814680284213&set=a.629574009208289
