Mozambique Border Crossing

[Joenel]

Border Crossing At Lebombo/Ressano Garcia Over December 2008

The Border Planning Meeting of the many government departments and stakeholders from both South Africa and Mozambique, headed by Lebombo BCOCC Chairperson and Port Coordinator, Mr Henson Msongweni, has finalised their planning for the peak volumes of traffic crossing the border during the December period.
Government departments are set to deploy additional staff and erect additional temporary infrastructure to accommodate the expected increase in particularly passenger traffic during this period. Experienced gained during the massive influx of traffic during December 2006 and December 2007 has played a significant role in this year’s planning.

PLEASE NOTE: Due to the volumes and limitations of infrastructure and human resources, despite additional staff being deployed, queues and congestion are still expected, so travellers are requested to be patient and to prepare for this eventuality.

The following information applies to the operation of the border post over the festive period:

• A 24-hour operation for passenger traffic is effective at Lebombo/Ressano Garcia from 06h00, Friday the 28th of November, which will continue until the 16th of January 2009
• Busses, taxis and commercial vehicles will be cleared at the Lebombo Border Dry Port (old airport) near Komatipoort from the 12th of December 2008 which will also operate 24 hours a day
• Cargo clearing hours remain from 06h00 to 22h00, but cargo will be cleared at Kilometer 4 in Mozambique and the old airport in the South African side and will be escorted through the frontier separately from passenger traffic

Please also note that:

• Firearms are not permitted to be carried across the border. Neither may firearms be handed into any police station in South Africa, due to the changes in legislation in this regard.
• No animals whatsoever are permitted to be carried across the border.
• Transport operators from South Africa who are moving across the border are required to have permits issued by the Cross-Border Road Transport Agency (C-BRTA). For enquiries in this regard, call the C-BRTA on +27 (0) 12 362 1864
• Travellers who have visited, or come from, countries affected by Yellow Fever are advised to have a Yellow Fever vaccination for entry into both South Africa and Mozambique. For enquiries call the South African Department of Health at +27 (0) 13 793 7183
• Please note that there are many individuals working on both sides of the border who are passing themselves off as government officials and who offer to complete documentation on behalf of travellers for a fee. These individuals are fraudsters and should be avoided categorically. Please also note that no fees are payable on either side of the border for the completion of documents. The only fee charged is R17-00 which is levied by Mozambican immigration for travellers into Mozambique for the processing of the passport at Ressano Garcia. This fee is paid to the uniformed immigration officer. If you are unsure please ask for official identification and an official government receipt.
• Please also do not use the runners at the border post who offer to speed your thoroughfare and jump the immigration queues for a fee. This makes you party to fraud and corruption and undermines the efforts of the relevant government departments to stamp out corruption and provide an effective service.
• South African travellers to Mozambique are required to complete a DA341 for their vehicle. Please ensure that information provided on that document is accurate, as there are serious legal implications should this information be found to be inaccurate.
• It is advisable to obtain an international driver’s licence for travel across the border, whether to Mozambique or to South Africa.
• Please note that should your vehicle still be financed by a bank, you will require bank authorisation and insurance repatriation confirmation in order to travel across the border. If your vehicle is fully paid up, you will require the original car registration papers. Should you be crossing the border in a vehicle which is not owned by you, the same procedure applies, but the owner’s written permission will be required in order to cross the border.
• Third party insurance for South African vehicles crossing the border is compulsory and can be obtained from various outlets at the border and at Komatipoort, agents at the Lebombo Border Dry Port, as well as the Sasol garage on the N4 near the Komatipoort turn off. These service providers will also assist with necessary documentation for your trip across the border.
• Night-time travellers should be aware of pedestrians and stray animals on the road.
• Officials at both Ports of Entry, i.e. Lebombo and Ressano Garcia, have requested that travellers do not use their parking spot at the border post as a point to take a refreshment break, as this contributes to the congestion of the facility. It is recommended that you stop for refreshment breaks before or after the Port of Entry.
• Alternatively, tourists may want to travel to Mozambique via Swaziland through the Jeppes Reef Border post (From the N4 just after Malelane) or the Mananga Border post (from the N4 just after Komatipoort), crossing into Mozambique through the Lomahashe Border Post. Motorists must take note that the Swaziland Road Levy was recently increased to R50 per vehicle. (A small price to pay to not have to stand in long queues in the sun for hours!)

PLEASE ALSO NOTE THE FOLLOWING IMPORTANT INFORMATION:

Should travellers encounter difficulties with traffic police or other authorities en route to their destinations, particularly if these officers are attempting to illicit bribes or are threatening, you are advised to do the following:

1. Be as cooperative as possible but
2. Don’t let the police keep your driver’s license
3. Insist on a written or officially printed fine
4. Don’t pay the fine to the police officer, but take it to the nearest police station for payment and get an official receipt; stamped if possible.
5. If the police/traffic officers request a bribe, ensure that you take the name of the officer, and ensure that the location and time of the road block is noted. Without this information there can be no recourse.
6. Do not pay the bribe!
7. If in Mozambique, report this to the SA High Commission (number below) or pass it on to MCLI to take up. If police insist on escorting you to the nearest police station, or if you are unsure of the legitimacy of the charge, (the escort may often not be the closest police station) call the SA High Commission in Maputo on +258 21 49 0059/3030 or their after hours duty officer on +258 84 304 4600 for advice.
8. If in South Africa, the same principles apply and incidents should be reported to the Mpumalanga Traffic Department on their hotline 0800 202775

Please drive carefully and remember: LIGHTS ON SAVES LIVES!

[BY MCLI - www.mcli.co.za]





Mozambique borders to stay open 24-hours from November 28 2008 - January 16 2009

Mozambique's borders with South Africa and Swaziland will stay open 24-hours a day from November 28 to facilitate the movement of holiday-makers and residents returning from both countries, independent television SOICO reported on Tuesday citing border authorities.
Domingos Tivane, head of the Mozambican customs services in the southern region, said in a report broadcast by the channel that the move had been implemented because authorities expected more visitors from South Africa and Swaziland during the festive period.
"We expect to attend to at least 1.5 million people during the festive period and in order to meet the demand we have decided to open the border for 24-hours between November 28 and January 16," said Tivane.
He also said the move would result in reduced congestion at the borders as travellers could be attended at any time of the day.
The border posts which would open around-the-clock were Ressano Garcia, Goba and Namaacha.
Tivane also said special immigration and customs clearance points would be set aside for Mozambican miners working in South Africa during the same period.
Mozambique is increasingly becoming a favoured tourism destination for South Africans who are attracted by the country's beaches and tourism facilities. - (Sapa)

[ThomasT]

"South African travellers to Mozambique are required to complete a DA341 for their vehicle. Please ensure that information provided on that document is accurate, as there are serious legal implications should this information be found to be inaccurate"

If we go via Swazi is this form issued on entry into Swazi?

[PGJ]

No . 341 will be completed at Moz Border , Goba . I see you're from Rbay , so that would be Rbay-Golela-viaSiteki-Goba-Maputo i presume .

[rubicon]

Thanks for the informative mail. Can anybody perhaps assist with a question i have. Ime going to Guinchata Moz in Dec and plan to purchase a new Vehicle but only want to register in in Jan 2009. What do i do with regards to the registration papers?

[ThomasT]

PGJ
That is the route we will be using. We considerd going in at Kosi , but one of the vehicles going is an Xtrail and they are towing the boat. They did not want to chance the sand with the trailer behind them.

[PGJ]

What do i do with regards to the registration papers?

I'ts def possible , but im going to advise you to get somebody thats in the know regarding new unlicenced vehicles . Possibly start a thread in the general area ? Mods ? We dont want to get this one wrong , i can also see it possibly getting tricky clearing SA customs ( NATIS ) .

[Henris]

Gentleman, in my book you need to complete a DA65, whenever you exit the country. It is a TEP. Temporary Export Permit. Else they can make you pay tax on the stuff you bring into the country.

I couldn't find the DA341 on the SARS Customs site

On the Moz side they are supposed to let you fill in a TIP. Temporary Import Permit.

[PGJ]

No . 341 will be completed at Moz Border , Goba . I see you're from Rbay , so that would be Rbay-Golela-viaSiteki-Goba-Maputo i presume .

Im not often right , but im wrong again .

Ive got my 341's, 65's, TIP's and TEP's mixed up now . Anyways , all the forms required will be issued to you at the relevant border post . Now im going to shut up for a while .

[Nico H]

Got thiis on the E-Mail today

Newsflash 631 of 27 November 2008

Border Crossing At Lebombo/Ressano Garcia Over December 2008

Dear MCLI Readers

PLEASE TAKE TIME TO READ THIS IMPORTANT NEWSFLASH IF YOU ARE CROSSING THE BORDER AT LEBOMBO/RESSANO GARCIA DURING THE DECEMBER/JANUARY HOLIDAY PERIOD AS IT CONTAINS ESSENTIAL INFORMATION WHICH WILL MAKE YOUR BORDER CROSSING EASIER

The Border Planning Meeting of the many government departments and stakeholders from both South Africa and Mozambique, headed by Lebombo BCOCC Chairperson and Port Coordinator, Mr Henson Msongweni, has finalised their planning for the peak volumes of traffic crossing the border during the December period. Government departments are set to deploy additional staff and erect additional temporary infrastructure to accommodate the expected increase in particularly passenger traffic during this period. Experienced gained during the massive influx of traffic during December 2006 and December 2007 has played a significant role in this year’s planning.

PLEASE NOTE: Due to the volumes and limitations of infrastructure and human resources, despite additional staff being deployed, queues and congestion are still expected, so travellers are requested to be patient and to prepare for this eventuality.

The following information applies to the operation of the border post over the festive period:

• <LI class=MsoNormal style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; mso-list: l5 level1 lfo3">A 24-hour operation for passenger traffic is effective at Lebombo/Ressano Garcia from 06h00, Friday the 28th of November, which will continue until the 16th of January 2009 <LI class=MsoNormal style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; mso-list: l5 level1 lfo3">Busses, taxis and commercial vehicles will be cleared at the Lebombo Border Dry Port (old airport) near Komatipoort from the 12th of December 2008 which will also operate 24 hours a day
• Cargo clearing hours remain from 06h00 to 22h00, but cargo will be cleared at Kilometer 4 in Mozambique and the old airport in the South African side and will be escorted through the frontier separately from passenger traffic

Please also note that:

• <LI class=MsoNormal style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo6">Firearms are not permitted to be carried across the border. Neither may firearms be handed into any police station in South Africa, due to the changes in legislation in this regard. <LI class=MsoNormal style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo6">No animals whatsoever are permitted to be carried across the border. <LI class=MsoNormal style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo6">Transport operators from South Africa who are moving across the border are required to have permits issued by the Cross-Border Road Transport Agency (C-BRTA). For enquiries in this regard, call the C-BRTA on +27 (0) 12 362 1864 <LI class=MsoNormal style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo6">Travellers who have visited, or come from, countries affected by Yellow Fever are advised to have a Yellow Fever vaccination for entry into both South Africa and Mozambique. For enquiries call the South African Department of Health at +27 (0) 13 793 7183 <LI class=MsoNormal style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo6">Please note that there are many individuals working on both sides of the border who are passing themselves off as government officials and who offer to complete documentation on behalf of travellers for a fee. These individuals are fraudsters and should be avoided categorically. Please also note that no fees are payable on either side of the border for the completion of documents. The only fee charged is R17-00 which is levied by Mozambican immigration for travellers into Mozambique for the processing of the passport at Ressano Garcia. This fee is paid to the uniformed immigration officer. If you are unsure please ask for official identification and an official government receipt. <LI class=MsoNormal style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo6">Please also do not use the runners at the border post who offer to speed your thoroughfare and jump the immigration queues for a fee. This makes you party to fraud and corruption and undermines the efforts of the relevant government departments to stamp out corruption and provide an effective service. <LI class=MsoNormal style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo6">South African travellers to Mozambique are required to complete a DA341 for their vehicle. Please ensure that information provided on that document is accurate, as there are serious legal implications should this information be found to be inaccurate. <LI class=MsoNormal style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo6">It is advisable to obtain an international driver’s licence for travel across the border, whether to Mozambique or to South Africa. <LI class=MsoNormal style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo6">Please note that should your vehicle still be financed by a bank, you will require bank authorisation and insurance repatriation confirmation in order to travel across the border. If your vehicle is fully paid up, you will require the original car registration papers. Should you be crossing the border in a vehicle which is not owned by you, the same procedure applies, but the owner’s written permission will be required in order to cross the border. <LI class=MsoNormal style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo6">Third party insurance for South African vehicles crossing the border is compulsory and can be obtained from various outlets at the border and at Komatipoort, agents at the Lebombo Border Dry Port, as well as the Sasol garage on the N4 near the Komatipoort turn off. These service providers will also assist with necessary documentation for your trip across the border. <LI class=MsoNormal style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo6">Night-time travellers should be aware of pedestrians and stray animals on the road. <LI class=MsoNormal style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo6">Officials at both Ports of Entry, i.e. Lebombo and Ressano Garcia, have requested that travellers do not use their parking spot at the border post as a point to take a refreshment break, as this contributes to the congestion of the facility. It is recommended that you stop for refreshment breaks before or after the Port of Entry.
• Alternatively, tourists may want to travel to Mozambique via Swaziland through the Jeppes Reef Border post (From the N4 just after Malelane) or the Mananga Border post (from the N4 just after Komatipoort), crossing into Mozambique through the Lomahashe Border Post. Motorists must take note that the Swaziland Road Levy was recently increased to R50 per vehicle. (A small price to pay to not have to stand in long queues in the sun for hours!)

PLEASE ALSO NOTE THE FOLLOWING IMPORTANT INFORMATION:

Should travellers encounter difficulties with traffic police or other authorities en route to their destinations, particularly if these officers are attempting to illicit bribes or are threatening, you are advised to do the following:

• <LI class=MsoNormal style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo9">Be as cooperative as possible but <LI class=MsoNormal style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo9">Don’t let the police keep your driver’s license <LI class=MsoNormal style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo9">Insist on a written or officially printed fine <LI class=MsoNormal style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo9">Don’t pay the fine to the police officer, but take it to the nearest police station for payment and get an official receipt; stamped if possible. <LI class=MsoNormal style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo9">If the police/traffic officers request a bribe, ensure that you take the name of the officer, and ensure that the location and time of the road block is noted. Without this information there can be no recourse. <LI class=MsoNormal style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo9">Do not pay the bribe! <LI class=MsoNormal style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo9">If in Mozambique, report this to the SA High Commission (number below) or pass it on to MCLI to take up. If police insist on escorting you to the nearest police station, or if you are unsure of the legitimacy of the charge, (the escort may often not be the closest police station) call the SA High Commission in Maputo on +258 21 49 0059/3030 or their after hours duty officer on +258 84 304 4600 for advice.
• If in South Africa, the same principles apply and incidents should be reported to the Mpumalanga Traffic Department on their hotline 0800 202775

Please drive carefully and remember:LIGHTS ON SAVES LIVES!



Best Regards
Barbara Mommen
COO
MAPUTO CORRIDOR LOGISTICS INITIATIVE
Incorporated under sect 21- 2004/007466/08
[email protected]
Tel: +27 (0)13 755 6025
Fax: +27 (0)13 752 5453
http://www.mcli.co.za/
Working together to make the Maputo Corridor First choice for the regions importers & exporters alike.

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