Botswana - Obtain a Customs Agent License

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Procedure

Apply In-Person

1. The application for a Customs Agent License shall be made to the Botswana Unified Revenue Services (BURS) Office, which regulates and license Customs Clearing Agents in Botswana. BURS Branch Offices Contact Details
2. Applicants are required to collect and complete the Application Form 185B, obtainable at any BURS customs office, or download it from the BURS website BURS Forms or directly download it using this Application Form 185B link
3. The duly completed form in respect, attached to the supporting documentation as mentioned under the “Required Documents” section of this page, should be submitted to the BURS customs office.
4. Upon submission, the application is checked for completeness and correctness by the BURS Customs officer, if everything is in order the application is registered for processing and consideration by the Commissioner of customs and excise. The applicant will be issued with an acknowledgment slip that proves submission of the application file and for inquiry referencing if the need arises.
5. The applicants must also submit a letter of commitment for the financial guarantee from his/her prospective surety.
6. The Commissioner of customs and excise may request additional information relevant to the application for the purpose of ascertaining compliance by the applicant with all applicable laws and regulations. In such a case, the information must be submitted within the stipulated time from the date of notification. Where the applicant fails to submit the required information, the commissioner shall reject the application.
7. After processing, a notice of the decision (Approval, Deferral, or Rejection) for the application will be communicated to the client in writing or by phone.
8. If approved, the applicant must within 21 days of the approval, lodge a security bond of a nominal fee of BWP 20,000.00, with the Commissioner of customs and excise, through a recognized financial institution (Bank or Insurance Company) accredited to the Central Bank of Botswana. Note: This only applies after approval of the application.
9. It is only after the deposit of the security bond, that the applicant will be registered as a customs clearing agent with the BURS and the customs clearing agent license drawn up, signed, and stamped by the commissioner of customs and excise for withdrawal by the applicant against their identity document, acknowledgment letter and proof of deposit of the security bond.

Note: All customs clearing agents should be affiliates of a registered and recognized freight forwarder associate, therefore new applicants should submit their membership card to the commissioner customs and excise within 3 months of approval.

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Required Documents

• Registration certificate of business – as issued by the Registrar of Companies.
• Resolution/consent or other authority as applicable.
• Plans of premises showing the exact location of the warehouse.
• Certified certificates of clearing clerks, managers, directors
• Identity/passport documents of
  • Individuals.
  • Partnership – all members/partners/trustees.
  • Company – all Directors, including Managing Director and Financial Director
    

Office Locations & Contacts

Botswana Unified Revenue Services (BURS)
Address: Plot 53976,
KudumatseDve,
Gaborone,
Botswana
Phone: +267 363 8000
BURS Branch Offices Contact Details
BURS Website

Eligibility

The Commissioner can only license people/companies who are registered, knowledgeable about Customs clearance, and have an office with equipment like computers. Licenses will not be issued or renewed if the licensee or applicant has a criminal record, is involved in dishonest activities or any other wrong doing.

Fees

Upon approval applicants will be required to deposit a security bond of BWP 20,000.00.

Validity

• The license shall be valid for one year, unless suspended, cancelled or revoked by the authority.
• Upon expiring the license is subjected to renewal.
  

Documents to Use

Application Form 185B

Sample Documents

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Processing Time

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Related Videos

Videos explaining the procedure or to fill the applications.
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from external websites.
Please remove the '&' inside the tags during implementation.
Website = allocine, blip, dailymotion, facebook, gametrailers, googlevideo, html5, metacafe, myspace, revver,
sevenload, viddler, vimeo, youku, youtube
width = 560, height = 340, Video ID = Can be obtained from the URL of webpage where the video is displayed.
e.g In the following url 'http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y0US7oR_t3M' Video ID is 'Y0US7oR_t3M'.

Instructions

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e.g. The state office holds birth records since january 1908.

Required Information

• Clearing Agent Particulars
• Contact details
• Trade name of business: (Physical address: Street name and number Building name and floor number Plot number City/Town/Village Street name)
• State the Customs and Excise Regional Office where you will be controlled from.
• State the employee at each place where the business will be conducted with Customs and Excise
• Declaration by the applicant
  

Need for the Document

• Customs agents are persons or companies licensed by the Commissioner of Customs and excise, on behalf of the importers and exporters. It is compulsory to use a Customs agent when clearing goods through Customs in Botswana.
• Customs agents must be licensed by the Commissioner before they can be involved in the clearance of goods through Customs.
• A Customs Clearing Agent license holder is required to ensure that:
  • Clearing clerks in his/her employ are fully conversant with the Customs and Excise procedures and requirements.
  • Clearing clerks in his/her employ conduct their business in accordance with any instructions issued by the Commissioner of Customs and Excise.
  • He/she maintains high ethics and in pursuance thereof will disclose all relevant facts which are essential to contribute to the proper administration of the Customs and Excise Act.
  • He/she notifies the Commissioner of Customs and Excise in writing of any intention to change the name, address (postal or physical), names of employees.
  • His/her company is represented at the highest level at all meetings called by the Commissioner of Customs and Excise.
  • He/she keeps within Botswana such books of accounts and documents relating to business transactions in such a form and manner as required by the Commissioner of Customs & Excise and shall upon demand by him produce to him such books of accounts or documents.
    

Information which might help

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Other uses of the Document/Certificate

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e.g. Birth Certificate can be used as proof of identity.

External Links

• BURS Licensing of Customs Clearance Agents
  
• Botswana trade portal Clearing Agency.
  

Others

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