Export Cars
to Botswana
UK Car Export provides professional vehicle export services to Botswana for private buyers, trade customers and dealerships. We manage the complete process from vehicle sourcing and documentation through to international shipping and delivery support.
Request Export QuoteExporting to Botswana
Botswana is a landlocked SACU member state with vehicle imports routing via South Africa or Namibia. Right-hand drive UK vehicles are the standard configuration and widely used across Botswana.
UK Car Source manages the full logistics chain to Botswana including sea freight to Durban, road transport to the border and complete documentation support.
Import Rules
| Drive Configuration | Right-hand drive required. |
| Vehicle Age Limit | No strict national age limit. Newer vehicles attract lower duty rates. |
| Condition | Roadworthy condition required. |
| Customs Authority | Botswana Unified Revenue Service (BURS) |
| Duty & VAT | Import duty and VAT (14%) applicable on CIF value. |
| Standards | UK-specification vehicles accepted. SACU member country. |
Import regulations are subject to change. We recommend confirming current requirements with the relevant customs authority prior to shipment.
Major Ports
Shipping Options
Required Documentation
Estimated Timelines
Vehicle Sourcing & Preparation
1–3 weeks depending on specification and availability
Documentation & Export Clearance
3–7 working days
Sea Freight Transit
18–24 days sea freight
Customs Clearance at Destination
3–10 working days depending on port and documentation
Total Estimated Process
6–12 weeks from order to delivery (subject to availability and customs)
Import Tax Breakdown
| Import Duty | 25% (SACU rate) |
| VAT | 14% |
| Excise Duty | Varies by vehicle type |
| Customs Authority | BURS (Botswana Unified Revenue Service) |
| SACU Membership | Same tariff structure as Namibia/South Africa |
| Age Restriction | No formal age restriction for imports |
Tax rates are indicative and subject to change. Verify with local customs authority before shipping.
Port Guide
Botswana is landlocked. Vehicles enter via Durban (South Africa) — road transit to Gaborone (~1,600km) via Johannesburg, crossing at Ramatlabama or Tlokweng border posts. Alternatively, transit via Walvis Bay (Namibia) through the Trans-Kalahari corridor.
Border crossings between South Africa and Botswana are generally efficient — budget 1 day. BURS clearance in Gaborone: 5–10 working days. Pre-clearance documentation submitted to a BURS agent prior to vehicle arrival is recommended.
Local Market Advice
Gaborone and Maun (safari hub) are the primary markets. Botswana has one of Africa's highest per-capita incomes — there is genuine demand for prestige vehicles including Range Rover, BMW 5/7 Series and Mercedes S-Class.
Land Rover Defenders are essential for safari operations and farming. The country is politically stable and transactions are reliable. Toyota parts are widely available; European brand parts are sourced from South Africa with 1–3 day lead times. Diamond mining wealth drives premium vehicle demand — condition and specification matter.
Most Popular Vehicles
Botswana is one of Africa's most stable and prosperous countries, built on the foundation of its diamond industry. This relative wealth supports a sophisticated vehicle market where buyers demand quality and are willing to pay for it. The Toyota Land Cruiser 200 Series is the country's prestige SUV of choice — equally at home on Gaborone's tarmac boulevards and the sandy tracks of the Okavango Delta and Kalahari. The V8 petrol and 4.5L twin-turbo diesel variants are both popular with Botswana's business elite, and immaculate UK examples attract premium prices.
The Toyota Prado 150 Series serves buyers who want Land Cruiser quality at a lower price point — it dominates the safari industry as a comfortable game-viewing vehicle. Land Rover Defender (new-generation 90 and 110) has gained rapidly in Botswana as wildlife tourism operators upgrade their fleets. Range Rover Sport is popular in Gaborone among professionals and government officials. Toyota Hilux serves the commercial and agricultural sector. Botswana drives on the left and the roads around Gaborone, Francistown and Maun are generally good, making the market accessible to a broader range of vehicle types than more challenging road environments.
| Top Seller | Toyota Land Cruiser 200 Series |
| Runner Up | Toyota Prado 150 Series |
| Prestige Choice | Range Rover Sport / Defender 110 |
| Budget Pick | Toyota Hilux Double Cab |
Common Questions
How does routing via Durban work for Botswana vehicle imports?
Botswana is land-locked, so all vehicle imports travel by sea to Durban Port in South Africa — the busiest container port in sub-Saharan Africa — then overland approximately 1,600km by road transporter to Gaborone via Johannesburg and the Ramatlabama border crossing. UK-to-Durban sea transit is 21–26 days. South African Revenue Service (SARS) processes transit cargo quickly, and the Ramatlabama border is a well-established crossing with experienced clearing agents. Total door-to-door time from UK to Gaborone is typically 7–10 weeks.
What vehicles qualify under Botswana's 10-year age limit?
Botswana Revenue Service (BURS) enforces a 10-year age limit from year of manufacture. In 2025, vehicles from 2015 onwards are eligible — giving access to a very wide range of high-quality UK pre-owned vehicles. Land Cruiser 200 Series from 2016–2021, Prado 150 from 2014–2020 (subject to manufacture date), and Defender Td5 and Puma models from 2015 are all eligible. This 10-year window combined with Botswana's affluent market creates excellent demand for quality UK stock that might be aging out of Caribbean markets.
What are the duty rates for vehicle imports into Botswana?
Botswana is a member of SACU (Southern African Customs Union), which standardises import duties across Botswana, South Africa, Namibia, Lesotho and Swaziland. Import duty on used vehicles is typically 25% of CIF value, with VAT at 12% (one of Africa's lowest VAT rates). The overall tax burden is therefore lower than many regional alternatives. BURS has a reputation for efficient, transparent processing at Gaborone's customs post — disputes are rare and clearance is generally completed within 5–7 working days of arrival.
Export a Vehicle to Botswana
Contact our export team today. We handle sourcing, documentation, shipping and logistics — so you don't have to.