Hello,

Me and my wife have the opportunity to buy a European (NL-registered so Left Hand Drive) car which is currently parked in South Africa.
Before doing so we would like to figure out the paper works.

The plan is to use the car on some trips in South Africa-Namibia-Botswana and leave the car in either of the countries to pick it up another time (like next year) for another trip and so on.
We don’t really plan to visit any places outside these three countries.

We have some questions on the possibility of our plan:

1)Is it possible to cross the borders between South Africa-Namibia-Botswana without a carnet de passage?
The messages we get on this subject are confusing; South Africa-Namibia-Botswana are supposed to be a toll-free zone, so travel wouldn’t be a hassle, and a carnet-stamp isn’t needed. (We did this before in south African registered cars) People say you need to stamp the carnet only on entrance or leave of the total zone containing these three countries. But has anybody experience in traveling these South Africa-Namibia-Botswana borders in an European registered car, without even showing (let alone stamping) a carnet de passage?

2)Is there any rules that forbid you storing a Euro-registered car for a year or so in South Africa-Namibia-Botswana? We want to leave the car somewhere secure, on private property and take it for a spin a year later. (and be possible to cross borders again between South Africa-Namibia-Botswana).

3)Is it true that LHD vehicles can’t be imported/registered in South Africa-Namibia-Botswana? So selling a Euro car to locals is impossible?

We hope someone can help us and has some useful tips

Nanja & Jelle, Holland

It is now illegal to buy or import LHD drive cars into South Africa, if a car is being stored it has to be registered with the SA system, a heavy fine and impounding of cars/bikes or anything with wheels and a engine in it is in force is SA, if its not done then your car will be impounded when they catch up with you, I add this as I have many friends in the police force there, both in traffic and national, I know this is a oldish post but worth refreshing it

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Looking to join up in a convoy that is headed direct for SA ,departure date not set ,will have space in Van and is loaded with tools ,will pass my e-mail add. o those interested to prevent spam

At the borders between RSA, Namibia and Botswana you most likely will not be asked to show the CdP, but still you must have one....But since the car is in the country you already must have one? How did the car enter this Customs Union?
You can leave the car in one of the countries (I did a couple of times). But you must have the CdP extended. Go to the Automobile Club and apply for an extension. They will contact local customs and send the CdP to Holland (ANWB) who will send back a new one , have it stamped at customs again and when you come back you can pick it up at the AA (I did so at the AA in Cape Town). Another option would be to leave the car in e.g. Swaziland or Zimbabwe?