Includes the barriers (tariff and non-tariff) that U.S. companies face when exporting to this country
Last Published: 7/22/2019

Apart from restrictions on licensing for some business operations, which are reserved for Botswana companies (see Chapter 6), there are few tariff based barriers to trade with Botswana.  Importers will be required to obtain an import permit from the relevant Ministry or Department.  Other non-tariff barriers include import permit requirements for a variety of food products, seasonal trade bans on selected agricultural goods, a state monopoly on beef exports, difficulties in obtaining work permits and residency (see above market challenges) and increasing local procurement preferences.  In a recent development, the GOB, through parliament, approved the liberalization of the beef market.  This means beef exports will no longer be monopolized by the Botswana Meat Commission and a beef regulator will be put in place to allow for more players in the market.
 

Prepared by our U.S. Embassies abroad. With its network of 108 offices across the United States and in more than 75 countries, the U.S. Commercial Service of the U.S. Department of Commerce utilizes its global presence and international marketing expertise to help U.S. companies sell their products and services worldwide. Locate the U.S. Commercial Service trade specialist in the U.S. nearest you by visiting http://export.gov/usoffices.