Our commercial vehicles travel all over the continent so we need to be aware of the laws and regulations of each country and what the driver might need to enter them.
We have compiled a handy checklist to ensure that your fleet is fully informed about all the documents required when crossing borders:
Checklist when travelling across boarders
- Do you have a valid passport and is it authorised for six months after the date of departure?
- If you are not a citizen of the country, do you need a visa?
- Do you have a valid driver’s licence for the vehicle you are driving and is it accepted in the country you’re visiting?
- Do you need inoculations?
- Do you have a ZA sign displayed on your vehicle or trailer if it’s registered in South Africa?
- If you don’t own the vehicle, do you have a copy of the vehicle licence or a certified copy of the vehicle registration papers?
- Do you have a letter from the vehicle owner, including dates, that authorises you to take it across the border?
- Do you have an affidavit from the police giving you authorisation to take the vehicle across borders?
Botswana
Documents:
- International driver’s licence recommended
Compulsory vaccinations:
Recommended vaccinations:
- Hepatitis A and B
- Rabies
- Typhoid
- Polio
- Tetanus
Precautions:
Mozambique
Documents:
- Temporary import permit for vehicle: Compulsory and payable in meticals.
- Third-party insurance: Compulsory and valid for 30 days.
- Two yellow and blue warning triangle stickers required for the towing trailer: one for the front bumper of the towing vehicle, another for the rear of the trailer.
- Reflective jacket (used at an accident scene, when changing a tyre or while loading). Immigration fees per person.
- Declaration form for vehicle: Cost per vehicle.
- International driver’s licence recommended.
Compulsory vaccinations:
- Yellow fever (if you’re coming from an affected area)
Recommended vaccinations:
- Typhoid
- Hepatitis A and B
- Polio
Precautions:
Namibia
Documents:
- Carnet de Passage (Compulsory if the vehicle is being shipped to Namibia). Vehicles registered in South Africa, Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique and Botswana do not need to obtain a Carnet permit (if you’re staying in Namibia for longer than three months and on a working permit). A payment of duties has to be paid to customs. This is refunded when the vehicle is exported from Namibia. The work permit must be shown on the passport and on the letter from the company in Namibia confirming that you will be working for them. A once-off toll fee valid for three months.
Compulsory vaccinations:
Recommended vaccinations:
- Hepatitis A and B
- Typhoid
- Polio
- Tetanus
Precautions:
Tanzania
Documents:
- Third-party insurance (Compulsory and obtained at border post).
- Carnet de Passage (Highly recommended).
- Fuel levy obtained at the border post.
- Carbon tax obtained at the border post.
- International driving permit (Recommended).
Compulsory vaccinations:
Recommended vaccinations:
- Typhoid
- Hepatitis A and B
- Tetanus
- Polio
- Rabies
- Meningitis
Precautions:
Zambia
Documents:
- Third-party insurance (Compulsory and obtained at border post).
- Police clearance certificate may be required if travelling through the Chirundu border post for both vehicles and trailers.
- Letter of authority from the registered owner of the vehicle.
- Red and white reflective tape (Two small, white, rectangular-sized strips on the right and left side of the front bumper as well as two small, red, square strips on the right and left side of the rear bumper).
- Carnet de Passage (Not compulsory but will facilitate border crossing).
- Two warning triangles.
- Red and white T-sign required if towing trailer. White displayed on the front right side of the trailer and red on the rear right.
- Fire extinguisher required if carrying jerry cans with fuel.
Compulsory vaccinations:
Recommended vaccinations: Hepatitis A and B
- Tetanus
- Rabies
- Meningitis
- Typhoid
Precautions:
Avis Fleet solutions are a comprehensive offering that enhance every aspect of fleet management and reduce risk. We have solutions that help customers with everything from vehicle acquisition to maintenance, Telematics and making provisions for accidents.
Find out more about our commercial vehicles and other solutions here.