Non-Tariff Barriers

Complaint

Complaint number

NTB-000-982  

NTB Type

1.4. Preference given to domestic bidders/suppliers  

Complaint

On 24 August 2020, Botswana’s Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry released a statement that the country would be restricting the importation of baked goods. This will affect products such as pastries, cookies, muffins and other products derived from some form of grain.
The statement was supported by S.I 102 of 2020. The Botswana’s Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry highlighted that the move is meant to protect the domestic producers.  

Progress update note

1. On 3 February 2026, Botswana Focal Point reported that the Ministry shared the relevant Statutory Instrument (SI), and request Zimbabwe to advise on the specific challenges being experienced to enable Botswana to initiate engagements with a view to resolving the NTB.
The Control of Goods, Prices and Other Charges (Restriction on the Importation of Baked Goods) Regulations, 2020 applies to the importation of baked goods such as: Bread, pies, pastries, rolls, cookies, muffins, cakes, cupcakes, and similar baked products.
Where a Zimbabwean company exports any of these products to Botswana, the regulation becomes applicable. In such cases, the import permit application must be submitted by the importer (the Botswana buyer), rather than the Zimbabwean exporter. Applications can be processed through the Ministry of Trade and Entrepreneurship in Botswana.
The Zimbabwean exporting company is expected to support its Botswana customer by providing the necessary documentation, including:
Product details; Invoice; Quantity information and Shipping documents
To facilitate further engagements, Botswana requests an update from Zimbabwe on how this Statutory Instrument has affected trade flows between Botswana and Zimbabwe since it was introduced in 2020.  

Policy or regulatory NTB

No 

Location

Botswana: Ministry of Trade and Industry (Government institution)  

Reporting Country or Region

Zimbabwe  

Country specific trade issue

No  

Date of incident

2020-08-24  

Status

In process  

Product Description

Baked goods. Pastries, cookies, muffins and other products derived from some form of grain.

Computer-assisted translation

• English
• Arabic
• French
• Portuguese

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Total value

0  

Date reported

2020-09-10 12:13  

Modified

2020-09-16 10:09