Beitbridge border crossing

[Reino van Aswegen]

Hi all,

We are going to Gonarezhou at the end of March and crossing over at Beitbridge.

We have never used this border post before and we are a bit unsure of the procedure.

I have downloaded a document showing the steps and they specifically indicate that we have to get the eTIP beforehand. Is this a requirement?

The main question I have is what the classification is used for a bakkie and trailer, is it considered to be a light vehicle or light goods vehicle?

Last question, do they have card facilities to pay all the different tarriffs and taxes? Or should we take dollars?

I would really appreciate any tips/advice or information on the border crossing.

Thanks in advance,

Reino van Aswegen
078 410 4082

(Sent from my mobile device, please excuse brevity.)

[Lizette Swart]

Good morning Reino,

I used Beitbridge in May 2023 - they do have card facilities and they are usually working, but always have enough dollars on you in case the network or card machine is down that day. 

The e-TIP has become a requirement for all borders - it is quite easy to do online (https://ecustoms.zimra.co.zw/etip/) and you get a reference number. When you arrive at customs, you provide this reference number, they find it on the system and issue the TIP, it makes the procedure at the border easier. You can do it a day or two before, but be aware that there are hiccups with the system from time to time - so rather do it ahead of time so you don't struggle at the last minute. If you don't do the e-TIP they might ask you to do it there at the border, it just makes life easier to do it beforehand. 

The T4A Hilux I took in in 2023 was classified as an ordinary vehicle, not a light goods vehicle - if you start looking on Google it is confusing, as by the Zimra classification it should be a light goods vehicle. But I've taken another Hilux into Zimbabwe a few years before, and it was not classified as a light goods vehicle either. If you are asking because of the reflective strips required for light goods vehicles - maybe take a roll with in the car, and you can add it on the day if need be.

If you follow Crossing Beitbridge (https://www.facebook.com/crossingbeitbridge) on Facebook, or contact Solomon Mahlangu (the owner) and ask him to add you to the Crossing Beitbridge Facebook group, you will get lots of tips and updates on the border crossing. He is a shipping agent but focuses on commercial traffic, sharing useful info for tourists. There is a post on 5 February on the fees to be paid, and it may even be his form on the border procedure you downloaded - here it is for reference (rates may have gone up):

Driving north through Beitbridge? The procedure for a small car is as follows:
1. Get a Zimborder "not paid" coupon/ticket on entry into the Border.
2. Take the “not paid” coupon/ticket to CID Container/office for scanning and approval.
3. From CID/Interpol office go to Zimborders counter and pay USD28.00 (USD 41.00) if you are pulling a trailer.
4. From Zimborders go to Immigration to stamp your passport.
5. From Immigration go to Zimra and give them your Reference Number. - If you don't have it apply here (Its best to have applied at least 48hrs before coming to the border) https://bit.ly/3xSIswJ
At Zimra you pay:
a - Third Party Insurance USD30.00  b - Carbon Tax USD10.00
   c - Road Access USD10.00
NB. At Zimra present you need the following documents:
a. Copy of Certificate of Registration for the car and or trailer.
   b. Letter of authority if car and/or trailer is still under hire purchase or not in the driver's names
   c. Filled in Blue declaration form47 (Blue Form)
Zimra gives you a stamped printout of the Temporary Import Permit and receipt.
6. From Zimra go to Zinara to pay the Bridge toll fee of USD10.00
Once done, take your papers to a Zimra Office outside the main building, get the last scan/approval then you can drive your car and leave the border.

Ignore the runners at the border, I had one in 2023 try to scam me out of R100,000 - he insisted I must fill in the blue declaration form (no need if you did the e-TIP but I thought it won't do any harm) and I added the expensive equipment I had in the car, same as I did on the e-TIP. He then tried to get me to put down a R100,000 deposit as a "guarantee" that I will bring the equipment back out of the country. I was laughing quietly but told him I did not have that much money, upon which he said I must change the values on the form then it is only R10,000 deposit. Fortunately I have crossed into Zim many times before and knew there was no such thing as putting a deposit down for your camping gear/cameras/etc. 

The counters inside the border post is not clearly marked - the CID container is outside the main building, right in front of you as you drive in, with the actual building on your right. The rest of the procedures are inside - I seem to remember numbered counters but no useful Zimra/Immigration etc. signs. 

Good luck, on the day it took me 3,5 hours but I know of someone that regularly uses Beitbridge and usually crosses within 45 minutes. 

Regards/Groete

Lizette

Lizette Swart

liz...@tracks4africa.co.za

+27 (0)21 880 8660

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[Reino van Aswegen]

Hi Lizette

Thank you very much for taking the time in sending such a detailed response, it really helps and we appreciate it.

The reason why I am asking the classification question is not because of the stickers although we will take extra as advised, it is more on whether my bakkie and trailer will be classified as a goods vehicle and that we need to go to a different allocated area in the border post.

We will definitely do the eTIP beforehand and I will join the Facebook group now.

Thanks again.

Kind regards,

Reino

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[Lizette Swart]

Hallo Reino,

You are welcome! 

Your vehicle will clearly be a camper with trailer, just add for the normal vehicle lane unless they steer you in the other direction.

Enjoy!

Kind regards

Lizette Swart
lizette@tracks4africa
co.za

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[M C]

Hi ,

That is awesome detail , thank you Lizette.

Not related to beitbridge afaik but

please be aware that at least at Sango - Chicualacuala and Vic Falls the system can lose your E tip. And indeed even the tablets supplied there to capture a new tip can fail possibly due to network challenges. The end result means resorting to paper. So it's an idea to make printed copies that prove your capture. I also found that when declaring items you wish to import you soon run out of space on the system and paper gets to be the end result anyway . 

regards 

Martin

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