Port Health is responsible for inspection of;
- Goods
- Good commodities
- Chemicals
- Conveyances; that is trucks, aircraft, cars, buses
- Travelers for yellow fever and diseases in surveillance and create a safe environment at ports of entry through pest control, waste management, inspection of point of entry, water quality and monitoring. The Division also ensures safe cross border transportation of dead bodies.
These are guidelines for the prevention and control of the international spread of diseases and other public health threats at designated points of entry; that is airports and land crossings into Botswana.
The Ministry of Health and Wellness advises the public to be aware of the import of the following:
- Unsafe and poor quality goods.
- Contaminated or adulterated foods.
- Hazardous chemicals.
- Dangerous pesticide formulations.
- Cosmetics.
- Plant and prohibited animal products.
- Any other hazardous chemical and biological materials that may come into Botswana.
In addition to this, the port health service undertakes disease surveillance, screening and reporting of diseases and public health conditions from external sources that may threaten the health and safety of Botswana.
All travelers and importers need to present themselves to Port Health Office upon arrival in Botswana.
Port Health Service is offered at the twelve (12) designated points of entry.
The following are requirements for all those entering Botswana:
- Travelers coming to or transiting through Botswana from yellow fever endemic countries must carry valid international certificate of vaccination against yellow fever as it will be demanded at points of entry upon arrival.
- Chemical clearance letter and supporting documents if importing chemicals
- Clearance from the Ministry of Health and Wellness or other authorized officers when importing a corpse
- Stamped purchase order if importing medicines
- Any other measure that may be applied in response to public health events
- Airliners must complete the Declaration of the Health Part of the Aircraft "General declaration form" by International Civil Aviation Authority and submit to port health officers upon arrival at airports.
- Aircrafts travelling in from malarial areas, in and outside Botswana, must be disinfected when travelling to non-malarial areas and a proof of disinfection provided to port health officers upon arrival in the Health Part of the Aircraft General Declaration form.
It depends on the service required.
At the designated points of entry, and these are;
Ramokgwebana Border Post
Ramatlabama Border Post
Pioneer Border Post
Martins Drift Border Post
Tlokweng Border Post
Kazungula Ferry Border Post
Kazungula Road Border Post
Mamuno Border Post
Sir Seretse Khama International Airport
Maun International Airport
Kasane International Airport
PG Matante International Airport
Ministry of Health
Department of Community Health Services
Environmental and Occupational Health Division
Port Health Unit
Private Bag 0038
Plot No 54609, Government Enclave, 24 Amos Street.
Gaborone
Botswana
Tel. (+267) 3632069/ 3632448
Fax. (+267) 3170177
Opening hours: 07:30 to 16:30, Monday to Friday, except public holidays.
