- Individuals or companies must obtain a trade licence in order to sell goods and services in Botswana.
- Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry has decentralised the issuance of all licences to District Councils.
Citizens and non-citizens who are above the age of eighteen (18) years and businesses qualify for the following licenses:
|
NO. |
TYPE OF LICENCE |
NO. |
TYPE OF LICENCE |
|
1. |
Agent |
24 |
General Dealer |
|
2 |
Agricultural Shop |
25 |
General Hire Service |
|
3. |
Amusement Arcade |
26. |
Gymnasium |
|
4. |
Auctioneer's |
27. |
Haberdashery |
|
5. |
Baby Shop |
28. |
Hair or Beauty Parlour |
|
6. |
Bookshop |
29. |
Household Shop |
|
7. |
Car Wash |
30. |
Imported pre-owned motor dealer |
|
8. |
Cell phone Shop |
31 |
Industrial Hardware |
|
9. |
Cleaning Services |
32 |
Internet Café or Copy Shop |
|
10. |
Commercial Hardware |
33 |
Jewellery Shop |
|
11. |
Cosmetics Shop |
34 |
Laundromat |
|
12. |
Curio Shop |
35. |
Specialized Motor Dealer |
|
13. |
Department Store |
36. |
Optician Shop |
|
14. |
Distributor |
37. |
Petrol Filling Station |
|
15. |
Driller's |
38. |
Pharmacy or chemist |
|
16. |
Dry-clean |
39. |
Plant Hire Service |
|
17. |
Dry-clean Depot |
40. |
Restaurant |
|
18. |
Electronics or Electrical Shop |
41. |
Sunglass Shop |
|
19. |
Florist |
42. |
Supermarket |
|
20. |
Fresh Produce |
43. |
Takeaway |
|
21. |
Funeral Parlour |
44. |
Toy Shop |
|
22. |
Furniture Shop |
45. |
Wholesale |
|
23. |
General Clothing |
46. |
Workshop |
The following licences are reserved for citizens of Botswana or for companies that are wholly owned by citizens of Botswana;
|
NO |
TYPE OF LICENCE |
|
1 |
Auctioneer's Licence |
|
2 |
Agent's Licence |
|
3 |
Car Wash Licence |
|
4 |
Cell phone Shop |
|
5 |
Cleaning Services Licence |
|
6 |
Dry-clean depot Licence |
|
7 |
Curio Shop Licence |
|
8 |
Florist Licence |
|
9 |
Fresh Produce Licence |
|
10 |
Funeral Parlour Licence |
|
11 |
General Dealer's Licence |
|
12 |
General Clothing Licence |
|
13 |
General Hire Service Licence |
|
14 |
Laundromat Licence |
|
15 |
Petrol Filling Station Licence |
|
16 |
Takeaway Licence |
|
17 |
Hair or Beauty Parlour Licence; and |
|
18 |
Internet Café or Copy Shop Licence |
|
19 |
Imported pre-owned motor dealership |
- Download and complete the appropriate application forms, submit with supporting documents to the Town or District Council commercial affairs offices listed below;
- Application Form for Trade Licence – Initial application of trade licence.
- Notice Form of Intention to Transfer a Trade Licence – To transfer the trade license to another individual or company, or to notify of the change in operating location.
- Application Form for a Transfer of a Trade Licence To transfer the trade licence to another individual or company, or to notify of the change in operating location..
- Licence Annual Fee Payment Form.
- Application Form for a Duplicate licence – To apply for a licence after the original has been lost or destroyed subject to the submission of a valid police report.
- If the license has been approved, the applicant will be notified of the result via mail, phone or SMS to collect the license from Town or District council commercial affairs offices upon payment of applicable licence fees.
- On or before the anniversary date of the license grant, the applicant has to submit Trade License Annual Fee Payment Form and the applicable fees to the Town or District council commercial affairs offices.
New application:
- If the applicant is a business, a copy of the certificate of incorporation.
- If the applicant is an individual or a partnership, submit a certified registration certificate.
- The latest copy of the annual returns form obtained from the Registrar of Companies and Intellectual Property.
- Proof of availability of the business premises (either a title deed, or a written lease agreement).
- A certified copy of a valid National Identity card (Omang) for owners, shareholders or directors who are citizens.
- Certified copy of passport for owners, shareholders or directors who are non-citizens.
- The original or certified copy of physical planner's report validating zoning for the plot upon which the activities will occur. Physical planners are employed by the District Council and should be booked by the applicants to validate zoning.
- The original or a certified copy of the environmental health report for the business premises in question. The report must be completed by health inspectors employed by the District Council and the applicant must book the health inspector for inspection.
Transfer of license:
- A certified copy of a valid National Identity card (Omang) for owners, shareholders or directors who are citizens.
- Certified copy of passport, work and residence permit for owners, shareholders or directors who are non-citizens.
Annual License fee:
- Latest Company Annual Returns form (* only where applicable).
- A certified copy of a valid National Identity card (Omang) /passports of directors and shareholders (*only if there have been changes to directors and shareholding).
Duplicate license:
- Police report indicating the licence has been stolen or destroyed.
Five (5) working days.
Fees for initial application
Non-refundable BWP 100.00.
The license fees are as follows:
|
NO. |
TYPE OF LICENCE |
LICENCE FEE |
NO. |
TYPE OF LICENCE |
LICENCE FEE |
|
1. |
Agent |
BWP 1,000.00 |
24. |
General Dealer |
BWP 250.00 |
|
2. |
Agricultural shop |
BWP 1,000.00 |
25. |
General Hire Service |
BWP 500.00 |
|
3. |
Amusement arcade |
BWP 500.00 |
26. |
Gymnasium |
BWP 1,000.00 |
|
4. |
Auctioneer's |
BWP 1,200.00 |
27. |
Haberdashery |
BWP 750.00 |
|
5. |
Baby shop |
BWP1000.00 |
28. |
Hair or Beauty Parlor |
BWP750.00 |
|
6. |
Bookshop |
BWP 750.00 |
29. |
Household Shop |
BWP 1,500.00 |
|
7. |
Car wash |
BWP 150.00 |
30. |
Imported Pre owned motor dealer |
BWP 1,500.00 |
|
8 |
Cellphone shop |
BWP 1,000.00 |
31. |
Industrial hardware |
BWP 1,000.00 |
|
9. |
Cleaning services |
BWP 200.00 |
32. |
Internet café or copy shop |
BWP 500.00 |
|
10. |
Commercial hardware |
BWP 1,000.00 |
33. |
Jewelry shop |
BWP 1,000.00 |
|
11. |
Cosmetics shop |
BWP 1,000.00 |
34. |
Laundromat |
BWP 100.00 |
|
12. |
Curio shop |
BWP 500.00 |
35. |
Specialized motor dealer |
BWP 1,500.00 |
|
13. |
Department store |
BWP 2,000.00 |
36. |
Optician shop |
BWP 1,000.00 |
|
14. |
Distributor |
BWP1500.00 |
37. |
Petrol filling station |
BWP500.00 |
|
15. |
Driller's |
BWP1000.00 |
38. |
Pharmacy or chemist |
BWP750.00 |
|
16. |
Dry-clean |
BWP 1,500.00 |
39. |
Plant hire service |
BWP 500.00 |
|
17. |
Dry-clean depot |
BWP 500.00 |
40. |
Restaurant |
BWP 1,000.00 |
|
18. |
Electronics or Electrical shop |
BWP1000.00 |
41. |
Sunglass shop |
BWP1000.00 |
|
19. |
Florist |
BWP250.00 |
42. |
Supermarket |
BWP1500.00 |
|
20. |
Fresh produce |
BWP250.00 |
43. |
Takeaway |
BWP150.00 |
|
21. |
Funeral parlor |
BWP 1,500.00 |
44. |
Toy shop |
BWP 1,000.00 |
|
22. |
Furniture shop |
BWP 1,500.00 |
45. |
Wholesale |
BWP 1,500.00 |
|
23. |
General clothing |
BWP 750.00 |
46. |
Workshop |
BWP 1,500.00 |
Fees for transfer or duplicate licence application:
- Non-refundable application fee of BWP 100.00.
- License duplicate is BWP 100.00.
Fees for Annual License:
Annual license fee payment is one (1) quarter of the license fee.
Department of Trade and Consumer Affairs
Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry
Plot 54380
Central Business District (CBD)
Private Bag 00252
Gaborone
Department of Trade and Consumer Affairs
Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry
Plot 54380
Central Business District (CBD)
Private Bag 00252
Gaborone
Tel. (+267) 3911233
Fax. (+267) 3975239
All the Local Authorities (District Councils) across the country
|
Town Clerk Gaborone City Council Private Bag 0089 Gaborone Tel: (+267) 3657400/365744/3657413 Fax: (+267) 3900141
|
Town Clerk City of Francistown Council Private Bag 0040 Francistown Tel: (+267) 2411050 Ext. 965 Fax: (+267) 2412427 |
Council Secretary Kweneng District Council Private Bag 005 Molepolole Tel: (+267) 5920200/201 Fax: (+267) 5920287/5920207/5920858 |
|
Town Clerk - Commercial Office Selibe Phikwe Town Council Private Bag 001 Selibe Phikwe Tel: (+267) 2610570 Fax: (+267) 2614854 |
Town Clerk - Commercial Office Jwaneng Town Council Private Bag 001 Jwaneng Tel: (+267) 5880303 Fax: (+267) 5882609 |
Council Secretary North East District Council Private Bag 004 Masunga Tel: (+267) 2489242 Fax: (+267) 2489290/263 |
|
Town Clerk Sowa Town Council Private Bag SOW 1 Sowa Tel: (+267) 6213440 Fax: (+267) 6213425 |
Council Secretary Central District Council Private Bag 001 Serowe Tel: (+267) 4630411 Fax: (+267) 4635469 |
Council Secretary Northwest District Council Private Bag 001 Maun Tel: (+267) 6860241 Fax: (+267) 6860029 |
|
Council Secretary Southern District Council Private Bag 002 Kanye Tel: (+267) 5440217 Fax: (+267) 5440103/02/5403307 |
Council Secretary Kgatleng District Council Private Bag 11 Mochudi Tel: (+267) 5777963 Fax: (+267) 5777216 |
Council Secretary Chobe District Council Private Bag K30 Kasane Tel: (+267) 6250275/6 Fax: (+267) 6250368 |
|
Council Secretary Kgalagadi District Council Private Bag 005 Tsabong Tel: (+267) 6540061/254/6540381 Fax: (+267) 6540259 |
Council Secretary Ghanzi District Council Private Bag 15 Ghanzi Tel: (+267) 6592057/6596216/6596688 Fax: (+267) 6596420 |
Council Secretary South East District Council Private Bag 002 Ramotswa Tel: (+267) 5390251/061/ Fax: (+267) 5390201/5380603 |
|
Senior Assistant Council Secretary Palapye Administrative Authority Private Bag 72 Palapye Tel: (+267) 4921092 Fax: (+267) 4921541
|
Senior Assistant Council Secretary Mahalapye Sub-District Council Private Bag 002 Mahalapye Tel: (+267) 4713323 Fax: (+267) 4713205
|
Senior Assistant Council Secretary Tonota Sub-District Council Private Bag T12 Tonota Tel: (+267) 2484220 Fax: (+267) 2485861 |
|
Senior Assistant Council Secretary – Commercial Office Tlokweng Sub-District Council Private Bag T05 Tlokweng Tel: (+267) 3925242 Fax: (+267) 3928809 |
Senior Assistant Council Secretary Tutume Sub-District Council Private Bag 006 Tutume Tel: (+267) 298721/2987391 Fax: (+267) 2987626/2987533 |
Senior Assistant Council Secretary Boteti Sub-District Council Private Bag 005 Letlhakane Tel: (+267) 2978278 Fax: (+267) 2978234 |
|
Senior Assistant Council Secretary Bobirwa Sub-District Council Private Bag 0013 Bobonong Fax: (+267) 2619296 |
Senior Assistant Council Secretary Okavango Sub-District Council Private Bag 006 Gumare Tel: (+267) 6874040 Fax: (+267) 6874199
|
Senior Assistant Council Secretary Mogoditshane/Thamaga Sub-District Council Private Bag 006 Mogoditshane Tel: (+267) 3105615/3910291 Fax: (+267) 3105617 |
|
Senior Assistant Council Secretary – Moshupa Sub-District Council Private Bag 004 Moshupa Tel: (+267) 5449270 Fax: (+267) 5449296 |
Senior Assistant Council Secretary Mabutsane Sub District Council Private Bag 04 Mabutsane Tel: (+267) 5889219 Fax: (+267) 5889211 |
Senior Assistant Council Secretary Good hope Sub-District Council Private Bag 005 Good hope Tel: (+267) 5404183/5486232 Fax: (+267) 5404157/5486241 |
|
Senior Assistant Council Secretary Letlhakeng Sub-District Council Private Bag 003 Letlhakeng Tel: (+267) 5943013/5943164 Fax: (+267) 5943171 |
Senior Assistant Council Secretary Charles hill Sub-District Council Private Bag 002 Charles hill Tel: (+267) 6592057 Fax: (+267) 6592246 |
Senior Assistant Council Secretary Molepolole/Lentsweletau Administrative Authority Private Bag 005 Molepolole Fax: (+267) 5920287 |
|
Senior Assistant Council Secretary – Hukuntsi Sub-District Council Private Bag 12 Hukuntsi Tel: (+267) 6510249 Fax: (+267) 6510244 |
Senior Assistant Council Secretary Maun Administrative Authority Private Bag 005 Maun Tel: (+267) 6861729 Fax: (+267) 6863214 |
Senior Assistant Council Secretary Kanye Administrative Authority Private Bag 11 Kanye Tel: (+267) 5403319 Fax: (+267) 5440625/5440103
|
|
Senior Assistant Council Secretary Serowe Administrative Authority Private Bag 0023 Serowe Tel: (+267) 4600223 Fax: (+267) 4631136
|
Senior Assistant Council Secretary Tsabong Sub-District Council Private Bag 005 Tsabong Tel: (+267) 6540061 Fax: (+267) 6540259
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Opening hours: 07:30 to 12:45 and 13:45 to 16:30 Monday to Friday, except public holidays