The Border Post Formalities when travelling to Mozambique
All you need to know about Mozambique border post rules and regulations . A guide to travelling into Mozambique and the health, customs and immigration rules. Border post formalities between South Africa and Mozambique cannot be avoided. Travel to Mozambique from South Africa is exciting but travellers need to take heed of various formalities. Self-drive holidays across borders bring challenges that tourists must meet. If you are travelling to Mozambique from South Africa by car your holiday is about to begin!
At the Mozambique borders from South Africa obviously Mozambique border post rules and regulations apply. Handle all formal immigration issues with dignity and treat all officials with respect. You must report to the immigration office with your passports and vehicle registration papers in hand. Find out more about driver’s license requirements in Mozambique below. This is all part of going on holiday to a beach or island retreat in Africa.
The Mozambique border to South Africa has the following border gates:
- Lebombo (South Africa) / Ressano Garcia (Mozambique)
- Kosi Bay (South Africa) / Ponta do Ouro (Mozambique)
- Pafuri (South Africa) / Limpopo (Mozambique)
- Kruger National Park (South Africa) / Giriyonda (Mozambique)
Steps to take on the South African Border Side
- Enter the border post and receive a gate pass.
- Complete the paperwork inside the Customs/Immigration building.
- Declare all goods, especially valuables such cameras and computers.
- Keep the stamped Customs declaration form in a safe place, to show it to the Customs officials on re-entering South Africa.
- Custom officials will also stamp your gate pass.
- Proceed to complete Immigration procedures.
- Immigration officials will also stamp your gate pass.
- Return to your vehicle and drive through to the Mozambican side.
- Give the gate pass to the guard on duty.
Steps to take at the Mozambique Border Gate
- Mozambique border requirements are listed below
- Enter the Mozambique border gate and receive a gate pass.
- “Runners” are not government officials. No official fees are payable on either side of the border for the completion of documents. It is advised not to use them.
- Proceed to Immigration (Migraçao) – everyone must have passports stamped.
- Ensure that the gate pass is also stamped.
- Driver to obtain a vehicle form – complete request for Temporary Import permission regarding vehicle, boat trailer and electronic equipment – issued by Customs officials (Alfândega) and generally valid for a period of 30 days.
- Proceed to the duty counter declare goods and pay relevant duties. Keep documentation for the duration of your journey as proof of payment.
- Alfândega officials are at liberty to search your vehicle.
- If you should be found to be in possession of any undeclared items these will be confiscated.
- Hand in the gate pass and enter Mozambique.
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- You have to pay a nominal processing fee per person.
- Take out the compulsory 3rd party insurance.
- Buy the compulsory temporary import permit for all vehicles – including boat trailers.
Mozambique border crossing requirements
- A valid passport (validity at least 30 days after the intended return date) with two clean pages in the passport.
- South African passport holders do not need Visas for a stay of up to 30 days.
- No firearms will be allowed to cross the border, without the required permits.
- No animals (pets) will be allowed to cross the border, without the required permits.
- All vehicles must have two red Warning Triangles, two Reflective Jackets and one fire-extinguisher.
- Health requirements: Vaccinations
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- Compulsory – Yellow Fever (if coming from an infected area)
- Recommended – Typhoid, Hepatitis A & B, Tetanus and Polio
- Precautions – Malaria risk.
Mozambique Bridge and Tar Road all the way to Maputo
The days of needing a four wheel drive to visit Ponta and southern Mozambique are over. There is a brand new tar road all the way to Maputo with the massive Katembe suspension bridge extending over the bay. Holidaymakers to Mozambique can now drive from the KwaZulu-Natal Kosi Bay to Maputo in a matter of two hours. Set off on your Mozambique holiday adventure to see re the beautiful beaches of Ponta do Ouro and a little further north the Maputo National Park. There is a new lodge at Ponta Membene that is right on the beach and offers an exceptional experience and great value for money. And after a great beach holiday move onto Maputo to sample the great nightlife and restaurants the city has to offer!
The Maputo Corridor is a good Highway Between Borders
The Maputo Corridor is now complete with good tar roads in Mozambique – making it a good highway all the way from Gauteng. The Maputo Corridor comprises three sections:
- Limpopo-Maputo: to assist with transport via the Phalaborwa Spatial Development Initiative. Phalaborwa is also the site of major petrochemical production.
- Mpumalanga-Maputo: Mpumalanga accounts for 76% of South Africa’s coal mining output and 50% of national coal reserves, a lot of which is exported via the Matola Coal Terminal in Matola Port, Maputo.
- Lebombo / Resanno Garcia border-Maputo: 92 km on the EN4 to the two deep water ports of Maputo and Matola.
Driving Tips in Mozambique
- Don’t drive after dark – there are few streetlights and sometimes the other vehicles on the road have inadequate lighting.
- Some roads to destinations require 4 x 4.
- There are filling stations in Maputo, Macia, Xai-Xai, Quissico, Inhambane, Maxixe, Massinga, Vilanculos and Inhassoro. Be aware that there is not always petrol at Ponta Do Ouro.
- Paperwork: Check insurance covers whilst driving in Mozambique. Carry these: passport, driver’s license, original vehicle registration papers, third party insurance certificate and temporary import permits.
- You must always wear seatbelts. Obey all the speed limits. All motorists must carry a set of standard red emergency triangles.
- No using of cell phones at all when driving.
- Do not take photos of policemen – this is against the law.
- Do not drive off the beaten track or on a beach unless the area is a designated driving zone.
- No drinking and driving.
- In Mozambique, all vehicles lawfully drive on the left-hand side of the road.
- Always obey safety rules enforced by game parks and other reserves.
- For your own safety and for the safety of wildlife, watch out for domestic animals and wildlife crossing roads and trails.
- Please adhere to the 40km/h speed limits in national parks/game reserves.
- Smokers must not throw or dispose their cigarette butts out of the vehicle and into the wilderness! This is littering and can cause fires!
Mozambique border post rules and regulations apply and are part of the procedure when you book a fantastic island or beach holiday to Africa. You must report to the immigration office with your passports and vehicle registration papers in hand. More here. Contact us if you need assistance with these formalities.
