Beit Bridge Procedure Sticky?

[Senyetse]

Could someone please give the procedure to follow at Beit Bridge to ensure that everything goes smoothly? For example, what forms you need, which to do first, ie customs and immigration, toll fee, carbon tax and third party? The reason I ask is it is easy to miss something out and then have to stand in a queue again or be delayed unecessarily.

I thought it would be nice to have something like that up as a sticky.

[Henris]

Ok. This changes like the weather, but I will give it my best shot.

Please note that this is dated. I refuse to go through Beit Bridge, unless there is a gun to my head. So this info could not be totally accurate.

ZA side
If you go in at the boom and you do not intend crossing, you have to tell them and they will put your name on a list and give you a temp access permit for the customs area. If you do not do this, you will have a huge problem getting out again.
If you are crossing, collect a gate pass at the access control boom.(Sometimes this is collected at SARS, but mostly at the boom).

Customs.
If you are a passenger in the vehicle, you can skip this and go to Imigration. You do have to be with the driver though, because he has the gate pass.
You don't need to fill in a DA331, but it could safeguard you on re-entry. This is more like a baggage declaration. So if you are going camping or somewhere that you are taking lots of stuff, you need to complete this.
On this you fill in all the stuff you need to bring back into the country, once you return. This will include all goods like cameras, laptops, etc. All the expensive stuff they could give you a hard time on. If this is too many items, you could do a list on a separate piece of paper and just attach it when you get it all stamped. (I just make a note and call it camping equipment)
Make sure that you have all papers for your vehicle. If it is on HP then you need to have a permission letter from the bank to authorize you to use the vehicle, cross border.
If it is a borrowed car, you need a letter from the owner to authorize you to take it cross border.
If you take any copies of documents, make sure that they are stamped by a Commissioner of Oaths to certify that they are authentic copies.
They need to stamp your gate pass.

Immigration.
Nothing funny here. Here they will only scan your passport and stamp your gate pass again.

SAPS
Here they will ask for the car’s papers again and check that the numbers on the engine and chassis actually match the papers.
No stamp on the gate pass.

Next stop is the “Foot and Mouth” boom at the approach to the bridge.
Here he will ask for your gate pass. If you have any commercial goods that have been declared via SARS commercial, you will have to present your manifest here as well.

ZIM Side
Please don’t use the “guma gumas”. They WILL rob you.
Apparently there now are assistants, assigned by the government, that won't cost you a cent.
First booth is Toll fees. They will give you a receipt and your gate pass with the first stamp.

Immigration.
Sometimes they ask you to fill in a little declaration form, but usually not. Here you will get your 2nd stamp on the gate pass.

ZIMRA
Now confusion reigns.
You need to complete a TIP slip. This slip will be captured onto their computer system and you will be handed a printout.
Also get a Customs Declaration Form from one of the officials. On this you need to specify all the items that you are taking in that will not come out. You are allowed R3500 per head. Anything more than that, you will have to pay duty.
Now go to a booth and pay for Carbon Tax, Road Tax and 3rd Party insurance. The 3rd Party insurance is now also on the system, so you just get a piece of printed paper as proof that you have paid.
He will also ask for your car papers and permission letters.
Now you should have 3 stamps on your Gate pass.

CID
This office is opposite the car port. Here they scrutinise your car papers, permission letter and anything to do with your car. Smile. Be friendly. Indulge in idle chatter and compliment on their friendly de meaner. (It works)

Now go to the Customs(ZIMRA) booth under the big car port. There you have to declare all your items that are being “exported”. Should you need to pay any duties, he will send you back inside to the cashier.
When he is happy with your declaration form, he will ask you to bring your car to the car port and he could unpack you, if he feels like it. So if you don’t want things to be found, be fore warned.
If he is happy with all you declared and the contents of the car, then he will give your last stamp and then you can proceed to the exit gate.

Halfway to the gate there will be a guy that will make sure that your gate pass is in order and then you can drive the last 30m to the gate. Surrender your Gate pass and have a good trip.

Just make sure that you have all the reflectors on the car that you need to have, else you will get a R100 fine at one of the road blocks. Also make sure that all your papers are at hand as they often ask for them at road blocks.

Coming back is usually a lot simpler

Zim Side
Toll fee
First you need to buy a gate pass/toll fee. If there is a long que out the door, then they are off a bus. So just sidestep the que and go to the Toll Fee booth. First booth as you come in the door. The Gate Pass shows how many people in the car.
You will get your first stamp on the Gate Pass

Immigration
If there is a long que, you are supposed to go to the back of the line. Sometimes you can sneak in from the Toll Booth but usually they object. What does work is if you walk up to somebody and greet him as a long lost friend and thank him for holding place for you.
They will just stamp your Gate Pass.

CID
Next CID. They will ask to see all the papers for the car, as well as your TIP.
Then stamp your Gate Pass.

ZIMRA
Go to the ZIMRA officer that is outside in the parking area. He will want to see the car. Then you need to surrender your TIP to him.
Then he will stamp your Gate Pass.

Boom
Next is the Boom to exit towards the bridge. They will want your Gate Pass.

ZA Side
Foot and Mouth boom.
Get out your car and step into the Foot and Mouth tray. It is a tray on the ground that has some chemicals in. I suggest you have shoes on for this one.

Immigration
They will give you a Gate Pass and that will reflect how many people in the car. Everybody needs to be in this que. Sometimes ZA citizens get preferential treatment. See if you can get one of the guys attention and mention that you are ZA and if they can’t help you please.
They will stamp your Gate Pass.

Customs SARS
If you went out with plenty "baggage" then you would have completed a DA331 and it is now surrendered.
Get a stamp for your Gate Pass.

SAPS
Here they will want to check your car for any smuggled items. Also no animal products. Biltong. Cheese. Even cooked meat. This never used to be this strict but with the Rift Valley Fever scare, they are quite touchy.

Next is the boom and there you just surrender your Gate Pass.

Welcome back in ZA

Please note that this is dated. I refuse to go through Beit Bridge, unless there is a gun to my head. So this info could not be totally accurate.

[RobH]

Excellent Henri, very thorough.

If I may just add - don't speed when approaching BB. It is a 60km/h zone for a couple of km's on the ZA side. They love to trap here as the road is good and 60 feels way too slow.

[Senyetse]

Thanks for that Henry! It wan't that complex when I last visited Zim in 1999.

[mamasdriving]

How about when coming from Botswana into Zim please?

[kukuza]

Take note: Stricter vehicle regulations in Zimbabwe from December
17 Wed, Nov 2010

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According to the latest Zimbabwe Government Gazette, vehicles will not be considered roadworthy unless they are equipped with with a fire extinguisher, warning triangles, a serviceable spare wheel and an efficient jack and a wheel spanner.

The new regulations come into effect from December 1.

Specific guidlelines for motorists include having two reflective warning triangles that conform to the Standards Association of Zimbabwe (SAZ) which must be placed at the front and rear of a vehicle in the event of a breakdown. According to the published guideline, the triangles must bear a serial number, name of the manufacturer and year of manufacture.

The guideline also states that all vehicles must carry an SAZ-approved fire extinguisher in a visible and accessible place in the cab of the vehicle as well as red and white reflectors. White reflectors are to be used at the front of the vehicle and red refelctors are to be used at the back of the vehicle.

Representatives of the motor industry in Zimbabwe have expressed concern over the new regulations and are looking for clarification from authorities on the issue of serial numbers and SAZ approval.


This was taken from 'Tourism Update'

[Henris]

Guys, do yourself a favour. Go to Google Earth. They now have pictures of Beit Bridge. Then you can get a glimpse of why it is just a no brainer to go through there.

[Dirk]

Henri not sure if you are referring to something specifically but here are some images saved for the others.

In order:
Both
SA
Zim

[OFFROAD ADDICT]

So where is the border patrol...lots of little paths going to and from.
Henri, did any money change hands , or was it highly professional.?

[Henris]

No no. The street view cameras

[Dirk]

Aaah ok that makes more sense.

[Johann Maartens]

We will be 12 people in three vehicles entering Zim on Saturday 30 July. We intend to be at BB very early. What time is the best to arrive at the border post, and how long will it take to go past both sides as we will also be traveling to Buluwayo the same day. We will be visiting Vic Falls for two days before exiting to Botswana at Gasangkula. All tips are welcome.

Johann.

[Henris]

Yes. 1 HUGE tip. Avoid BB. Rather go through Bots

[JohannP]

yes. 1 huge tip. Avoid bb. Rather go through bots

+100

[Mike N]

Now I'm confused Henri. On the one hand you say its a no-brainer to go through there, two days later you say avoid BB :-)
(I'll be coming through Musina early July, I can then drop that rear steppie off if you still want it)

[Henris]

Yes please Mike. I want it.

About BB. It is a criminal den.

[MozUnknown]

Excuse my ignorance, but what are "guma gumas"?

[ngweshla]

Please be aware that the computers break down and need re-booting often at the Zim Border as they slowly age. If this happens you will be waiting for at least 2-3 hours for your TIP. They only have one IT woman and if its lunch time expect longer delays. We often always seem arrive around about lunch and if driving up to Harare you could be driving at night which is not recommended. If you get caught out at night and have no choice drive at max 60km/h as there are loads of animals on the road specially black cows ect and arrive alive.

[KEKPIET]

On SA side the customs are now outside in a tent and not inside the building. Can be confusing for there are no directions.

[CarloG]

Against all the advice in the forum I did the BB border going into Zim on Sunday 12 August and coming into SA on Friday 24 August. Below the details I can remember for some referance:

SA to Zim: Sunday 12 August

- 4 cars, 2 trailers. 10 adults, 7 kids under 5 years old (2 babies)
- we arrived at the SA side at 5:30am and got out of Zim 2 hours later
-
SA SIDE:
- I cant even remember the SA side, it was so uneventful.
- my only suggestion ask at every point where you must go next and CHECK they stamp your passport (esepcially if you many people)

ZIM SIDE:
- chaotic to say the least.
STEP ONE: Drive you passnger vehicle PAST the busses.
STEP TWO: enter the main building on your right. Here you will:
1. get your passport stamped (Immigration),
you will fill in a blue form which will cost you 10USD
fill in your TIP form (a white form which you must keep with you untl you leave again)

We did use a runner here to get us past th queue of people which was snaking outisde the door. we only used him to get our passports prioritorised for the immigration stamp - paid 10USD for each passport.

2. Once your TIP is filled in, and you have paid the 10USD to get your blue form stamped you go to pay for your TIP. our runnders wanted 150USD per car o we told to fly a kite. They charge based on engine size. i have a 4.8L and paid R610 + R90 for a trailer

3. once your TIP is paid for, you have an immigration stamp you walk outside to drive your car up to the inspection area. You could bribe them not to search your car, but they didnt even bother searchin the cars, only the trailers. we were offered 70USD per car to expedidite the process and avoid a lengthy search.

ONE HINT: if you use a runner you must be assertive. Do not leave your passport out of site, and dont be afraid to negotiate. understand that everyone gets a cut and its an entire ecosystem. That said i travelled from JHB to London and didnt use a runner once.

Zim to SA - Friday 24 August

- 3 cars, 1 trailer. 6 adults, 4 kids.

ZIM SIDE
- no runners coming out. The zim side took 20 mins.
STEP ONE: Pay the toll for use of the bridge 10USD,
STEP TWO: Immigration: Directly on the right of that jump the people queue on the basis that you are light passnegr vehicle and not just a bus passenger. Get your passport stamped out.
STEP THREE: in the same building take your TIP for "security" stamping"
STEP FOUR: go outside and have your TIP and gate pass stamped by customs. Done.

SA SIDE
We tried the tent ourside the building and were told (truthfully so) to walk inside the main building and aks for the counter for "SA residents in light passenger vehicles".

They do actually have a counter for this and had we know it it would have taken 20 mins instead of 40 to get through.

Unlike ZIm they did require thet ALL passengers were present at the counter.

Would I do it again? I wouldn't sya it wasnt stresfull with family but ceryainly not worth travelling 200km more via Plumtree (which i did the previous year). You also have 2 vetinary gates to pass in Botswana, plus two border. They didnt even search our fridges.

Hope this helps.