BRAZIL
Since December 2025, until December 2030
Pillar Tariffs and trade defence measures applied on ICT goods |
Indicator Antidumping, countervailing duties, and safeguard measures on ICT goods
GECEX Resolution No. 837 of 19/12/2025 (Resolução GECEX Nº 837 DE 19/12/2025)
Under Resolution No. 837, the Brazilian authorities have imposed a definitive anti‑dumping duty on imports of certain fibre‑optic cables (HS subheading 8544.70.10) originating from China. The duty applicable to imports from China has been established at USD 2.42 per kilogram. This definitive measure shall remain in force for a period of five years.
Coverage Product: Certain fibre‑optic cables (HS subheading 8544.70.10)
Country: China
Country: China
BRAZIL
Since December 2025, until December 2030
Pillar Tariffs and trade defence measures applied on ICT goods |
Indicator Antidumping, countervailing duties, and safeguard measures on ICT goods
GECEX Resolution No. 829 of 19/12/2025 (Resolução GECEX No. 829 DE 19/12/2025)
Under Resolution No. 829, the Brazilian authorities imposed a definitive anti‑dumping duty on imports of certain optical fibres (HS subheading 9001.10.11) originating from China. The duty applicable to imports from China has been set at USD 47.46 per kilogram. This definitive measure will remain in force for a period of five years.
Coverage Product: Certain optical fibers (HS code 9001.10.11)
Country: China
Country: China
BOTSWANA
Since January 2019
Pillar Online sales and transactions |
Indicator Restrictions on online payments
Electronic Payments Services Regulations, 2019
According to Section 29 of the Electronic Payments Services Regulations, licensees for electronic payment systems must adhere to transaction limits set in Schedule 3 of the regulations. Operating limits for account-based payment systems (e-money account, execution of card payment, credit transfers and direct debits) have a monthly aggregate transaction limit within the range of BWP 20,000 (approx. USD 1,750) to BWP 30,000 (approx. USD 2,600) for individual customers and BWP 50,000 (approx. USD 4,350) for SMEs, while for retail agents the monthly aggregate transaction limit is BWP 1,000,000 (approx. USD 87,000).
Coverage Electronic payment systems
BOTSWANA
N/A
Pillar Online sales and transactions |
Indicator Threshold for ‘De Minimis’ rule
Lack of de minimis threshold
Botswana does not implement any de minimis threshold, which is the minimum value of goods below which customs do not charge duties.
Coverage Horizontal
Sources
- https://web.archive.org/web/20220302153451/http://www.burs.org.bw/index.php/treaties-and-legislation/legislation/revenue-laws?download=723:customs-act-duty
- https://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/tpr_e/s324-00_e.pdf
- https://global-express.org/assets/files/GEA%20De%20Minimis%20Country%20information_4%20November%202021.pdf
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BOTSWANA
Since December 2018
Since May 2014
Since May 2014
Pillar Online sales and transactions |
Indicator Framework for consumer protection applicable to online commerce
Consumer Protection Act
Electronic Communications and Transactions Act
Electronic Communications and Transactions Act
The Consumer Protection Act and the Electronic Communications and Transactions Act provide a comprehensive consumer protection framework that applies to online transactions.
Coverage Horizontal
Sources
- https://web.archive.org/web/20220302035453/https://www.bocra.org.bw/sites/default/files/documents/05%20Act%2020%EF%80%A204%EF%80%A22018%20CONSUMER%20PROTECTION.pdf
- https://web.archive.org/web/20220307232114/https://www.bocra.org.bw/sites/default/files/Electronic-Communications-and-Transactions-Act-2014.pdf
- https://unctad.org/page/cyberlaw-tracker-country-detail?country=bw
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BOTSWANA
N/A
Pillar Online sales and transactions |
Indicator Ratification of the UN Convention on the Use of Electronic Communications in International Contracts
Lack of signature of the UN Convention on the Use of Electronic Communications in International Contracts
Botswana has not signed the United Nations (UN) Convention on the Use of Electronic Communications in International Contracts.
Coverage Horizontal
BOTSWANA
Since 2014
Pillar Online sales and transactions |
Indicator UNCITRAL Model Law on Electronic Commerce
UNCITRAL Model Law on Electronic Commerce
Botswana has adopted national legislation based on or influenced by the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) Model Law on Electronic Commerce.
Coverage Horizontal
BOTSWANA
Since 2014
Pillar Online sales and transactions |
Indicator UNCITRAL Model Law on Electronic Signatures
UNCITRAL Model Law on Electronic Signatures
Botswana has adopted national legislation based on or influenced by the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) Model Law on Electronic Signatures.
Coverage Horizontal
BOTSWANA
Since September 2008
Pillar Quantitative trade restrictions for ICT goods and online services |
Indicator Other import restrictions, including non-transparent/discriminatory import procedures
Standards (Import Inspection) Regulations, 2008
With the exception of goods originating in Malawi, import permits – issued by the Department of International Trade in the Ministry of Investment, Trade, and Industry – are required for goods entering Botswana directly from outside the Southern Africa Customs Union (SACU). Any public or private body whose product satisfies all the requirements of a Botswana product standard can apply to the Botswana Bureau of Standards (BOBS) for the product to be certified. Samples of the product are then tested to verify its conformance to the requirements of the product standard, and if the results are acceptable, the product can then obtain the BOBS certification mark.
Regulations 3 and 6 of the Standards (Import Inspection) Regulations of 2008 provide that a compliance certificate should be obtained for all commodities or goods to be imported into Botswana. The imported commodities should either comply with the Bureau standards or international or foreign standards recognised by the Bureau for the compliance certificate to be issued.
Regulations 3 and 6 of the Standards (Import Inspection) Regulations of 2008 provide that a compliance certificate should be obtained for all commodities or goods to be imported into Botswana. The imported commodities should either comply with the Bureau standards or international or foreign standards recognised by the Bureau for the compliance certificate to be issued.
Coverage Horizontal
BOTSWANA
Since March 2016, last amended in April 2022
Pillar Technical standards applied to ICT goods and online services |
Indicator Self-certification for product safety
Type Approval Guidelines
According to Art. 5 of the Type Approval Guidelines, type approval applies to anyone who imports, manufactures, uses, or supplies telecommunication or broadcasting equipment for use or sale in Botswana. The person who wants to use or sell this product must register the equipment with Botswana Communications Regulatory Authority (BOCRA), prior to importing, unless the equipment concerned has already been registered in BROCA’s Type Approval Database. According to Art. 6, for registration, the application must be accompanied by a declaration of conformity (DoC) and a full set of test reports confirming compliance with declared conformity. In addition, according to Section 6.5, it is not necessary to submit any other documentation or a sample of the equipment unless requested to do so by BOCRA. As specified in Art. 10, test results must be obtained from a labouratory that has been accredited by a body that is a member of the International labouratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC) Mutual Recognition Arrangement. Test results should be included with the application unless BOCRA specifically states in writing that test results are not required. The equipment must be tested for compliance with BROCA’s technical specifications (or equivalent) and should cover areas of safety, electromagnetic compatibility (EMC), and technical standards. Reference to such compliance must be included in the declaration of conformity submitted with the application.
Coverage Telecommunication and broadcasting equipment
Sources
- https://web.archive.org/web/20220625071400/https://www.bocra.org.bw/sites/default/files/documents/TYPE_APPROVAL_REPAIR_SERVICES_GUIDELINES_Feb_2022.pdf
- https://web.archive.org/web/20220302154207/https://www.bocra.org.bw/sites/default/files/documents/Reviewed%20BOCRA%20Type%20Approval%20Guidelines%2028%20March%202016%20v1.2.pdf
BOTSWANA
Since May 2014
Pillar Intermediary liability |
Indicator Safe harbour for intermediaries for any activity other than copyright infringement
Electronic Communications and Transactions Act, 2014
Part VIII of the Electronic Communications and Transactions Act protects information services providers from any civil or criminal liability with respect to third-party material stored or transmitted on their platforms if they did not contribute to the material. It is also expected that the information service providers should expeditiously remove or disable access to the infringing content upon receiving a take-down notice.
Coverage Internet intermediaries
BOTSWANA
N/A
Pillar Telecom infrastructure & competition |
Indicator Passive infrastructure sharing obligation
Requirement of passive infrastructure sharing
It is reported that there is an obligation for passive infrastructure sharing in Botswana to deliver telecom services to end users. Moreover, passive infrastructure sharing is practised in the mobile and fixed sectors based on commercial agreements.
Coverage Telecommunications sector
BOTSWANA
Since November 2012
Pillar Intermediary liability |
Indicator User identity requirement
Communications Regulatory Authority Act, 2012
It is reported that Botswana imposes identity requirement for SIM registration. Anyone wanting to purchase a SIM card has to provide their national ID card, or a passport in case of foreigners, to activate a new prepaid SIM card. According to Art. 6 of the Botswana Communications Regulatory Authority Act, the Board of the Botswana Communications Regulatory Authority is responsible for regulating SIM card registration.
Coverage Telecommunications sector
BOTSWANA
N/A
Pillar Telecom infrastructure & competition |
Indicator Maximum foreign equity share for investment in the telecommunication sector
Botswana Telecommunications Corporation Limited Constitution
The Botswana Telecommunications Corporation Limited (BTCL) is a telecommunications company formerly a government parastatal. Clause 6.2 of the Constitution of the BTCL states that no shares shall be issued to foreigners. Therefore, foreigners cannot own shares in this telecommunications company, which is also Botswana's only listed telecommunications company.
Coverage Telecommunications sector
BOTSWANA
N/A
Pillar Telecom infrastructure & competition |
Indicator Presence of shares owned by the government in telecom companies
Presence of shares owned by the government in the telecom sector
State-owned enterprises operating in the telecommunications sector in Botswana are Botswana Telecommunications Corporation Ltd (BTCL), a provider of telecommunications and Internet services (ISP), and Botswana Fibre Networks (BoFiNet), a wholesale provider of telecommunications infrastructure responsible for enhancing broadband penetration. The Government of Botswana reportedly owns 51% of the shares of BTCL and 100% of the shares of BoFiNet.
Coverage Telecommunications sector
Sources
- https://www.bocra.org.bw/sites/default/files/documents/A%20Review%20of%20the%20Regulatory%20Framework%20in%20Botswana.pdf
- https://btc.bw/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/BTC-annual-report-2015.pdf
- https://docs.wto.org/dol2fe/Pages/SS/directdoc.aspx?filename=q:/WT/TPR/S447R1-02.pdf&Open=True
- https://www.bofinet.co.bw/downloads/BoFiNet_2021_Annual_Report.pdf
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