BEIT BRIDGE BORDER

The information provided in this section was correct on 28 Feb 2011 and applies only to tourists. Commercial vehicles must expect much longer delays and they pay much more.

Opening Hours: 24 hours

Time needed for border crossing: This is one of Southern Africas’s busiest border posts. Normally it will take you more than 2 hours to cross the border but if you are lucky you can do it an hour. During peak periods such as Easter weekend delays can be up to 6 hours. If your vehicle is registered in Zimbabwe the time crossing into Zimbabwe will be at least 45 minutes less and if your vehicle is registered in South Africa the crossing will be 30 minutes quicker when returning to South Africa.

Cost involved with South African registered vehicles to Zimbabwe: R 750
Toll fees at the Bridge: Payable both directions
Visa Fees when applicable: South African Passport holders don't need visas for Zimbabwe USA $ 35.00 per person.

Restricted goods and the amount allowed:

Any of the following alcoholic beverages:
Wine - 2 bottles per adult
Beer - 12 Cans per person
Spirits - 1 bottle per person

Restricted foods:
No meat is allowed to cross the border in any direction.

Vehicle documents needed to enter Zimbabwe: Passports valid for 6 month after departure: Certified copies or original of the vehicle's registration certificate. Letter of ownership stamped by the police if the vehicle does not belong to you. If the vehicle belongs to a company, a letter on the company letterhead will be required. This applies even if you are the only shareholder of the company and\or Close Corporation.

Vehicle requirements: All vehicles travelling on Zimbabwean roads must have a red reflector on both sides on the back of the vehicle and a white reflector on both sides in front of the vehicle. Reflecting tape is perfect.

Trailers: All trailers on South African roads must have reflective yellow tape on the back and on the side. In addition trailers must have a Red T which must be at least 30 cm high and 20 cm wide on the back of the vehicle in Zimbabwe. Red duct tape can be used to make the T.

Visa Requirments to enter Zimbabwe
Nationals of the following countries may obtain visas valid for up to 90 days on arrival in Zimbabwe, provided holding tickets and documents for return or onward travel and sufficient funds for their stay: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Cyprus, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Malta, The Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, UK and USA. These visas will cost USA $35.00

SADC countries do not need visas for entering Zimbabwe for a period less than 90 days. SADC countries include all Zimbabwe’s neighbours plus Tanzania and Malawi.
Citizens of all other countries must obtain visas before arrival.

Visa Requirements to enter South Africa:
Citizens from the following countries can stay in South Africa for up to 90 days without a visa: EU countries, Australia, Canada, Japan and USA, Iceland, Liechtenstein, New Zealand, Norway, Switzerland, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Ecuador, Israel, Jamaica, Malta, Paraguay, St Helena, Swaziland, Uruguay and Venezuela.

Citizens from the following countries can stay in South Africa for up to 30 days without a visa: Antigua & Barbuda, Barbados, Belize, Benin, Botswana, Bolivia, Cape Verde, Comoros Islands, Costa Rica, Cyprus, Gabon, Guyana, Hong Kong (SAR), Hungary, Jordan, Korea (Rep. of), Lesotho, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mauritius, Mexico, Namibia, Peru, Seychelles, Singapore, Slovak Republic, Thailand, Turkey (except holders of Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus passports, who do require visas) and Zambia
All other visitors needs to apply and obtain a visa for South Africa prior to arrival.