The SCSR was published on the 23rd of June 2023 in the Botswana Gazette and its implementation started on the 1st of April 2024.
One of the purposes of the SCSR is to prevent and reduce the dumping of regulated products into Botswana market with the objective of protecting the consumer from health hazardous products and potential deceptive practices.
The Regulation states that ‘An importer of a product covered by compulsory standards specified in Schedule I shall ensure that the product is subjected to inspection and testing for conformity to the compulsory standard before being placed on the market. SCSR regulation 9(4)’. The Regulation also states that ‘A person shall not import or place a product on the market, which cannot be freely sold in the country of origin. SCSR regulation 9(3)’.
Online application process for the SCSR
In order to import regulated goods into Botswana you need a BOBS Certificate of Compliance. For online applications please access this link: Click here. Please open the link and fill in the required information. Before applying, please ensure the following:
Acceptable formats are PDF, JPEG, PBG and the maximum allowable size for each document is 1 megabyte.
For conformity assessment the importer may engage BOBS for an inspection resulting in an inspection report to be used for application. Where it is not possible to engage BOBS, international designated inspection agencies may be employed for issuance of conformity assessment documents.
Each consignment/truck load costs P300.00 You can make payment into our account and attach proof of payment. BOBS will process your application online and if there are no queries an electronic certificate will be generated which will be available to you and customs officials in the system. If there are queries, the application will become available to you to address the queries and you can then re-submit.
Manual application process for the SCSR
In order to import regulated goods into Botswana you need a BOBS Certificate of Compliance. For conformity assessment the importer may engage BOBS for an inspection resulting in an inspection report to be used for application. Where it is not possible to engage BOBS, international Designated inspection agencies may be employed for issuance of conformity assessment documents.
You will have to fill the application form A, attach proforma invoices, certificate of conformity or test reports, proof of payment and submit them to BOBS. Each consignment/truck load costs P300.00 per product type. You can make submission in person and pay at BOBS or you can pay at the bank (Bank Details) and submit by email. BOBS will process your application and respond in the same mode. Kindly indicate the port of entry and the validity of the certificate you desire.
However, if your consignment is already stuck at the border, you may apply for a conditional release certificate, for which application fee is P1500.00 per product type and inspection fee is P540.00 per hour. This consignment must be inspected by BOBS prior to distribution.