Importing commercial goods into Lesotho involves several regulatory steps and requirements. To ensure a smooth process, importers must understand the necessary registration, the prohibition and restriction of certain goods, and the process of obtaining import permits and pre-clearance.
Registration
Before importing commercial goods into Lesotho, you must be a registered company with the Ministry of Trade and Industry. This initial step is crucial as it provides the legal framework under which you can conduct import activities.
Prohibited Goods
Lesotho imposes prohibitions and restrictions on certain goods to safeguard market security, health, cultural, and economic interests. Importers must ensure that their goods are not categorized as prohibited or restricted unless they have the necessary authorization from the appropriate authorities. These goods cannot be imported, exported, or circulated within Lesotho without such authorization.
Prohibited and Restricted Goods
Alcoholic Beverages
- Controlled Commodities: Beer, spirits, and wines.
- Permit Requirement: Importers must apply for an import permit from the Ministry of Tourism.
Agricultural Products
- Controlled Commodities: Pulses, sugar in bulk, livestock, eggs, more than 10 liters of milk, more than 10 kilograms of all types of meat, more than 5 loaves of bread, more than 2 kilograms of fruits and vegetables.
- Permit Requirement: Obtainable from the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security.
Medications
- Controlled Commodities: Habit-forming drugs.
- Permit Requirement: Obtainable from the Ministry of Health.
Other Goods
- Controlled Commodities: Motor vehicles, tyres, tiles, and second-hand clothes (imported from outside the Southern African Customs Union (SACU) member states).
- Permit Requirement: Regulated by the Ministry of Trade and Industry, Cooperatives and Marketing.
Import Permit
An import permit is a prerequisite for the importation or exportation of restricted commodities. Importers and exporters must ensure that their goods fall within the appropriate classification before the consignment arrives at the border. If the goods are not subject to prohibitions or restrictions, the declaration documents can be directly submitted to customs.
Where to Obtain Import Permits:
- Extra SACU Goods: Visit the Ministry of Trade and Industry, Cooperatives and Marketing.
- Agricultural Goods: Visit the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security.
- Alcoholic Products: Visit the Ministry of Tourism, Environment and Culture.
- Medicinal Goods: Visit the Ministry of Health.
Pre-Clearance
Pre-clearance is a customs process where the clearance of goods is conducted before their arrival in Lesotho, allowing for immediate release upon arrival. This service is available at the State Warehouse and the Maseru Railway Station.
By adhering to these guidelines, importers can ensure compliance with Lesotho’s import regulations, facilitating a smoother and more efficient import process.
