Sesheke Border Post (ZAM/NAM) 24hrs

The new opening times of 24hrs came info effect in August 2023. The border post is now a very efficient and pleasant border post.

Situated between Zambia and Namibia. The nearest town to this border is Katima Mulilo in Namibia.

The Sesheke / Wenela border post connects the town of Sesheke, Zambia with the town of Katima Mulilo, Namibia. The Zambian border post is fairly new and a vast improvement on the old facility which wasn’t much more than a motley collection of huts and containers with no signage to speak of.

Travelling from Namibia into Zambia, once through the border post, one has to choose between pushing north on the M10, a beautifully-tarred road that reaches up all the way to the town of Mongu; or, crossing the Zambezi River via the Katima Mulilo Bridge and heading east on the same M10 (or north on the RD325).

This border post is used by trucks transporting copper from Zambia’s mines to the export harbour of Walvis Bay along what’s known as the Walvis Bay Corridor. That said, this border post is quieter than Chirundu and Kazungula. Border procedures in both directions are pretty easygoing (although still complicated in Zambia due to all the vehicles fees to be paid); some travellers report spending as little as 30 minutes crossing this border, although longer times are the norm.

There’s an ATM at the Zambian border post which allows you to draw the necessary kwacha to pay Zambian border fees but this machine only accepts Visa cards. One can also use the bank in Sesheke town (Zambia) but this method will require additional time.

There’s no ATM at the Namibian border post but they usually accept foreign currency though this isn’t guaranteed so it’s best to have Namibian dollars or South African rand.

Note: The Wenela border post is due to be renamed Katima Mulilo border post.

24hrs

CASH & ATMS:
You can withdraw money at the ATM at the border as there is also an official bank where dollars and other currencies can be exchanged and also an ATM that only accepts VISA. Do not use the money changers.

CUSTOMS:
It’s illegal to have any of the following goods in your possession:
Narcotic, habit-forming drugs and related substances in any form.
Pirated or counterfeit goods
Firearms, ammunition and explosives.
Indecent and obscene material such as pornographic books, magazines, films, videos, DVDs & software.

DOCUMENTS REQUIRED WHEN TRAVELLING BY VEHICLE:
A valid passport with a minimum of six months remaining validity before expiry, from the end date of your intended trip.

A valid visa.

International driving permit (IDP) if your driver’s license is issued in a language other than English.

Original vehicle registration certificate (a certified copy is acceptable). Drivers whose vehicles are still financed by a bank won’t have the original vehicle registration document so will have to use the vehicle licence papers (from which the renewal disc is cut out annually), or a copy of the vehicle registration certificate, which must be certified.

If the car registration number on your registration papers is not the same as on the vehicle number plate (for instance if it was pre-owned) you must also present the registration paper from which your license disc was cut out.

If you’re not the registered owner of the vehicle (i.e. it’s still being financed by the bank, you are renting a vehicle or you are driving a friend’s vehicle), you must have an affidavit certified by a commissioner of oaths, from the financial institution, company or friend giving you authorization to take the vehicle across the border. This letter must stipulate dates for which you are allowed to take the vehicle out of the country and must also be signed by the owner and a Commissioner of Oaths.

PROCEDURE AT BORDER:
Payment can be done in Namibian Dollars, South African Rand or Pula.

You need to fill in an immigration form and have your passport stamped. You can purchase a cross border permit for a vehicle here for NAD308 (2019).

The Zambian side has new buildings, but the red tape has not changed at all! (2019).

Two hours and 7 counters/stops to pass through and there was nobody else in the queue.

Firstly you have to pass all the trucks and find a parking place in front of the building.

Secondly you have to get rid of all the ‘Runners” who want to sell you Kwatcha, the local currency in which all transactions are done on the border. They give a bad rate so use the bank. The ATM may be out of order. They take ZAR and scan the notes, but do not take USD.

Procedure: (based on 2019):
1.Thermo screening
2. Passport stamp.
3. Go to office they send you adjacent to entrance to get 'permission form' (not clear why).
4. Vehicle Import permit Kwatcha 275.
5. Customs Insurance Disc Kwatcha 30 - display disc in car window.
6. Road Permit USD20 - valid 90 days - keep this to not have to pay at Toll Gates (Council levies are charged separately and they ask what they want)
7. On exit pay Kwatcha 50 for council levy.

Proof of vehicle insurance.

A yellow fever certificate is required if you’ve lived in / travelled from / travelled via a country where this disease is prevalent.

FOOD RESTRICTIONS:
No bans on the importation of personal supplies of meat or fresh produce to Zambia. This may change from time to time.

POLICE CLEARANCE OR VERIFICATION CERTIFICATE FOR YOUR VEHICLE:
At some border posts, some officials may ask for such a document but it is rare and it must be said that this document is NOT required for foreign-registered vehicles. There is a Zambian law which states that Zambian-registered vehicles must have an InterPol clearance if you want to take it through a Zambian border. This requirement is ONLY applicable to Zambian-registered vehicles but some officials try to enforce this on foreign-registered vehicles as well.

In over a decade of travel to Zambia we have only been asked for this document once; it happened at Kazungula and in that instance we were able to reassure the official that it was not required. The Chirundu border post is notorious for insisting on this document but we understand this to be a means to solicit a bribe. It is for you to decide if you will play along with this game but our experience is that you do not require this document.

What’s more, if you go to your local police station for such clearance be very careful that your request is not misunderstood to mean that you want to export your vehicle permanently. This would result in your vehicle being removed from the register which will cause you all sorts of problems!

VEHICLE REQUIREMENTS:
Red warning triangle (2, with fold-out feet).
Red and white reflective tape (two small white rectangular strips on either side of front bumper, same on rear bumper but red).
Red and white T-sign (if towing a trailer, white sticker applied to front right side of trailer, and red to rear left side of trailer).
Fire extinguisher (if carrying fuel in jerrycans).

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