2.3.1 South Africa Land Border Crossing of Beitbridge (Zimbabwe) Overview South African border post complex Zimbabwean border post complex Daily Capacity Customs Clearance Other Relevant Information Overview Beitbridge border post (north beyond the town of Musina) in Limpopo province on the South African side is a high priority border post and the main gateway on the north-south trade corridor within the Southern African Development Community (SADC). The actual international border crossing is via the Beitbridge structure over the Limpopo river. On the South African side the main route is via the N1 roadway, at the border post facility routes dovetails for processing by authorities to accommodate cars, buses, pedestrians and trucks. Once through the processing at the border post, routes bottle neck to cross the bridge structure and again dovetails at the Zimbabwean side for processing by authorities similar to the aforementioned transport modalities. Finally to bottleneck again onto the A6 (later splitting to A6 and A4) roadway through the town of Beitbridge on the Zimbabwean side for further transit. The rail line runs parallel but separate to the motor vehicle crossing infrastructure. Various agencies conduct operations at the border post, mainly Department of Home Affair (immigration), South African Police Services (border police), Department of Health (port health), South African Revenue Services (customs and excise), Department of Agriculture. South African border post complex Legend: 1. Clearing Agents Building 2. Export Warehouses 3. Commercial 4. Commercial Import 5. New Vehicle Detention Area 6. Commercial Truck Park 7. Light Vehicle Inspection (Outbound) 8. Bottom Residential Houses 9. Top Tax & Duty Free Shop 10. Public Ablutions 11. SAPS HRM 12. Page 1 12. SAPS Logistics 13. SARS Building 14. SAPS Dog Unit and Community Centre 15. Department of Agriculture 16. SAPS Vehicle Theft Unit 17. SAPS Barracks 18. Top Residential Houses 19. Zimbabwe or North Gate 20. South Africa or South Gate 21. Bottom Tax & Duty Free Shop 22. SAPS Check point & Customs Release Shed 23. Light Vehicle Inspection (Inbound) 24. Port Health 25. Protect It Truck Park 26. Agents Building 27. Limpopo Truck Park 28. Agents Wendy Offices 29. Pro-con / 4 Ways Haulage Depot 30. Ultra City Truck Park 31. Shell Ultra City 32. Train Carriage Park (Agent’s Offices) 33. Tax Refund Office for Traders & Traveler (outbound) 34. Gateway Truck Park Zimbabwean border post complex Legend: 1. Main Terminal Building 2. Port Health 3. Insurance Office 4. Baggage Scanner 5. State Warehouse 6. Motor Vehicle Search Shed (inbound) 7. Inward Post Clearance Shed 8. Passenger Clearance Hall 9. Mobile Scanner Shed 10. Scanner Workshop 11. Public Toilets 12. Generator Room 13. Outward Clearance Office 14. Page 2 14. Motor Vehicle Search Shed (outbound) 15. Duty Free Shop 16. VID Office & Weighbridge 17. Public Toilets 18. Police Assist 19. Insurance Office 20. Inward Bound Passenger, Taxi and Bus Parking 21. Inward Bound Truck Park 22. Proposed New Commercial Truck Park (inbound) 23. Vehicle Impound Yard 24. VID Vehicle Impound Yard 25. VID Weighbridge 26. VID Offices 27. Vehicle Parking Area 28. Con-Dep (ZIMRA Inspection Yard) 29. Proposed New Commercial Centre Border Crossing Location and Contact Name of Border Crossing Beitbridge Border Post Province or District Limpopo Province, South Africa Nearest Town or City with Distance from Border Crossing Musina (38.6 km) Latitude -22.233024 Longitude 29.983751 Managing Authority / Agency Department of Home Affairs, Ports of Entry Contact Person Acting Port Manager: Mr Sipho Chauke Travel Times Nearest International Airport Polokwane International Airport, IATA Code : PTG 194.9 km Truck Travel Time: 2:48 hrs Car Travel time: 2:16 hrs Nearest Port Durban 1,100.2 km Truck Travel Time: 21:20 hrs Car Travel time: 12:39 hrs Nearest location with functioning wholesale Polokwane markets, or with significant manufacturing or production capacity 194.9 km Truck Travel Time: 21:20 hrs Car Travel time: 12:39 hrs Other Information This is a main corridor for trade flows to and from South Africa and it’s sea ports to the country’ s northerly neighbours. The national road has several fuel stations, truck rest stops and road traffic law enforcement. Hours of Operation Mondays 24 HOURS Tuesdays 24 HOURS Page 3 Wednesdays 24 HOURS Thursdays 24 HOURS Fridays 24 HOURS Saturdays 24 HOURS Sundays 24 HOURS National No change listed. Holidays Seasonal The region experiences a hot semi-arid climate, with temperatures in the low to mid 30’s (degrees celsuis) most of the year. Dry Constraints months are from June to August, while marginal rainfall may be expected October to April when severe late-afternoon and evening thunderstorms are common. Daily Capacity The border post makes provision for processing of private motor vehicles, pedestrians and buses, whilst road and rail freight are processed separately. In general the border post has capacity for the throughput of approx. 500 trucks and approx. 20 000 persons on a daily basis. During tradition festive period migrations (ie. Easter and Christmas periods) the number of traveler, both private and freight, increases significantly. Customs Clearance Successful border crossing will depend on various factors which may include the type of cargo being carried and thus the agencies involved. Below are guidelines of requirements. Documentation required for South African export Documentation required for South African import The standard set of documents includes - The standard set of documents includes - • Customs road manifest • Customs road manifest • Consignment note • Consignment note • Commercial invoice • Commercial invoice • Packing list • Packing list • F 178 – bank clearance for goods valued at R50 000 or more • Importer’s written clearing instructions • Exporter’s written clearing instructions Supporting documents include: Supporting documents include: Supporting documents include: • Certificate of Origin – SADC, COMESA or DA 59 • Certificate of Origin – SADC, COMESA or SAD 500 • Import permit • Export permit • Worksheets • Worksheets • Veterinary, health or agricultural permits or certificates • Veterinary, health or agricultural permits or certificates • Quota permits • Quota permits • Trade agreement licences • Trade agreement licences • Rebate permits • Rebate permits Further responsibilities to mitigate challenges in border crossing It is the responsibility of the operator or carrier to ensure that - • The vehicles are roadworthy and in possession of a Certificate of Fitness • Each vehicle has been registered with the Cross Border Road Transport Association (CBRTA) and is in possession of cross-border permit. Page 4 • If transporting dangerous goods (DG) or hazardous chemicals (Hazchem), the vehicle is registered as a DG operator and the Operators Card or disc is displayed on the windshield of the vehicle. Also that: * The vehicle is hazchem compliant; The driver is correctly trained and Hazchem certified; The driver is in possession of his (category D) Professional Drivers Permit (PrDP); His/her licence is free of endorsements. • The vehicle does not exceed the permissible axle masses (DO NOT OVERLOAD!) • All drivers receive regular medical examinations, for example, every six months. • The load is secured before dispatching the vehicle. • Pre-trip and vehicle inspections are carried out prior to the vehicle’s departure. • The driver is in possession of the required cross-border documentation for the load (Customs manifest, Consignment note, Commercial invoice, etc.) • All drivers are made aware of cross-border operating procedures. For more information on customs in South Africa, please see the following link: 1.3 Customs Information. Other Relevant Information Due to various authorities fulfilling their mandates separately the time it take to complete the border crossing formalities may take 3 hours on average, however the time may increase if exacerbated by missing documentation and increased traffic / congestion disrupting the system. Freight vehicle may be subject to physical examination by both South African and Zimbabwean authorities in their respective border posts. For more information on government contact details, please see the following link: 4.1 Government Contact List. Page 5.