Getting to Mozambique Mozambique

What papers do you need for your vehicle ?

• Vehicle ownership documents -
• If the vehicle is on hire purchase / bank loan you will also need a letter from the bank giving permission to cross the border.
• Also if the vehicle is not yours you will need a letter of authorization from the owner saying you have their permission to take it into Mozambique.
• A valid drivers license is also required.
• All people crossing the border need valid passport.
• Insurance is required in Mozambique - if your current insurance covers Mozambique you must get a letter from the insurance company on official papers clearly stating that minimum of third party insurance is covered, it must show the vehicle registration and the country 'Mozambique' - not 'covers all SADC' or 'Southern Africa'.
  Temporary 30 day insurance cover is available at the Mozambique border and cost R150 (payable in cash only) we recommend Hollard Insurance.

Crossing the Komatipoort border

procedure and directions
Approaching from the South African Side

Tips: take a pen in with you, fill in the forms they give you (as outlined below) and only show other paperwork if requested - do not hand them all the vehicle papers!

• You drive up to the border on the EN4, at the border keep to the left and follow the road until you come to a building to your right, find a place to park.
• Go into the first door and on the right as you face the desks there will be a vehicle counter, go to this window and ask for a T. I. P. they will hand you an A4 size form in two parts (this is the temporary vehicle export document), and also a smaller piece of paper (this is to hand to the South African police as you exit the border).
• Take them to the counter behind you to fill in, on the A4 sheet you will need to fill in drivers details, engine number, vehicle registration number and a few other details and to sign. On the small bit of paper you need to fill in vehicle registration number, number of passengers and engine number.
• Take them back to the the vehicle counter, they will stamp them both and give you them back.
• Then go with your passport down to the next desk and get your passport stamped and the small slip of paper stamped again.
• Then back to your vehicle, drive straight on past the building, at the end there should be a Policeman to to take the small slip of paper and wave you out of South Africa !
  Keep the vehicle document - you must keep this safe as you need it to return the vehicle back into SA on your return !!

Now you drive a few hundred metres before arriving at the Mozambique border
Mozambique border:

• As you approach you may notice a Mozambique border officer in the road, he/she will be writing your registration on a border form then will ask how many people in the vehicle and will then give you the form.
• Carry on up the hill. Often there is a long queue of trucks, go around them (often you need to go on the wrong side of the road avoiding on coming traffic!), at the top you will see several cabins on the left (selling insurance) and the customs / passport building is on your right.
• Park up and take in your passports, SA vehicle import document and some Rand cash (preferably small notes and coins as they rarely have change..) and a pen.
• As you enter the Mozambique border building go over to the left where there is a ' vehiculer desk' there is a similar process to the SA side they will give you a two sheet A4 document with a piece of carbon.
• Take it away fill it in (making sure the carbon works and is clear on the bottom sheet)
• Then take it back to the desk and they will stamp it return half to you and demand R12 (they may ask to see the SA vehicle import document or not).
• Then off to passport control, first the Cash (caixa) where you will pay the R17 get a receipt then on to the next window to get stamped in also they will stamp the small piece of paper given to you as you entered the border.
• Make sure you have an entry stamp as no-one else will check until you leave the country and then they will fine you if you don't!!
• Outside you will need to find a customs official (light blue uniform)
  Tip - always select one wearing a name tag the customs people are generally milling around the car park, you go up to one show them the small piece of paper and point to your vehicle, they will then wander up ask to look inside ask some questions (level of inspection depends on official/ how busy they are/day of the week/wind and goodness knows what) when finished they will sign the piece of paper and give it back to you.
• Before you leave the border you will need insurance (unless the vehicle has insurance already that clearly states that Mozambique is covered in writing) and is in your name. If you need insurance go to one of the cabins on the left (we use Hollard insurance as they are reliable and honest) go into the hut they will need some information will write out a 30 day insurance note for your vehicle (check they get the vehicle registration correct) and will charge R150.
• Now you can leave the border, drive straight down the road (dodging officials, wandering people, dazed looking tourists and randomly parked cars), at the end you should be stopped by a police official who will take the small piece of paper and make sure it is stamped by passport and customs then wave you on into Mozambique.

Check you are leaving the border with the following:
1/ Drivers license
2/ Vehicle ownership documents and letters of permission
3/ SA vehicle export document
4/ Mozambique vehicle import document
5/ Valid insurance for Mozambique
6/ Everybody's passport with an entry stamp to Mozambique.

Traffic police may stop you and can ask for any of these documents, if / when they do just show them and smile, but don't leave until they have given them back to you !

Keep to the speed limits as they are very keen on speed traps along the main road to Maputo, around Maputo and especially on the main road north.

Mozambique Toll Stations
These can be paid in Rand, US$ or Mozambique Meticais
Please note Garage cards, debit cards and credit cards are NOT accepted at Toll stations
There are not many toll routes in Mozambique the main two are on the road between Komatipoort and Maputo.