South Africa
2.3.1 South Africa Land Border Crossing of Beitbridge (Zimbabwe)

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. 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. 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 markets, or with significant manufacturing or production capacity

Polokwane

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

Wednesdays

24 HOURS

Thursdays

24 HOURS

Fridays

24 HOURS

Saturdays

24 HOURS

Sundays

24 HOURS

National Holidays

No change listed.  

Seasonal Constraints

The region experiences a hot semi-arid climate, with temperatures in the low to mid 30’s (degrees celsuis) most of the year. Dry 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.

• 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.


 

Jump to top