Currency and Exchange rates
1 Namibian dollar = 100 cents
Communications and Infrastructure
Location and Size
Namibia became independent on 21 March 1990.
Namibia is situated in south-western Africa bounded by the Atlantic Ocean to the west, South Africa to the south and south-east, Botswana to the east and Zambia and Angola to the north covering an area of 824,292 square kms.
Namibia is predominantly an arid country with the Namib desert forming a boundary along the west coast and the Kalahari desert along the east.
Capital
Windhoek
Principal Commercial Centres
Windhoek is the commercial, industrial and administrative centre.
Other major centres are Tsumeb, Keetmanshoop, Oshakati, Walvis Bay, Lüderitz, Swakopmund, Grootfontein, Otjiwarongo, Oranjemund, Rehoboth, Rundu, Okahandja and Mariental.
Time Difference
GMT+2h00
Population
1,651,476 (1995)
Main Economic Activities
Agriculture, mining and fisheries are the three cornerstones of the Namibian economy.
Stock farming is an important agricultural activity.
Namibia is known for its beer products.
Namibia is potentially one of the richest fisheries in the world.
The principal agricultural activity is beef production, as well as the production of pelts from Karakul sheep.
Main crops cultivated in Namibia are maize, millet and root crops.
Other important crops are sorghum, wheat, groundnuts, beans and cassava.
Mining:
Diamonds are the principal mineral export.
Uranium is also an important mineral export.
Copper, lead, tin, zinc, silver, gold, salt, pyrites, arsenic, fluorpar and semi-precious stones are also mined.
There are important deposits of hydrocarbons, lithium, manganese, tungsten, cadmium and vanadium.
It is believed that Namibia has large stores of iron ore and platinum.
A large offshore gas deposit known as Kudu, has recently been discovered in the south of the country.
Manufacturing:
This sector is largely underdeveloped, however the principal manufacturing activities are the processing of minerals, fish and meat for export and the baking industry.
Telecommunications
Direct dialling is available from South Africa on dial code 09264, followed by the area code:
Grootfontein 6731
Keetmanshoop 631
Lüderitz 6331
Oshakati 6751
Swakopmund 64
Tsumeb 671
Windhoek 61
Ondangwa 6756
Walvis Bay 64
followed by the client’s number
Post and telecommunications systems are run independently of South Africa’s and are modern and efficient.
Cell phones, telex and facsimile services are available.
S.W.I.F.T.
Namibia is a member of S.W.I.F.T.
Weights and Measures
The metric system is utilised.
ATA Carnet
Namibia is not an adherent to this convention
General
Christianity is wide-spread in Namibia and co-exists with other religious groups.
Namibia drives on the left.
Valid international drivers licenses are required.
Tourism is one of the fastest growing sectors of the economy since independence.
The road system is well developed and maintained.
GDP: US$ 3.2 bn (1996)
Inflation rate: 8% (1996), 10%(1995)
Diplomatic Relations
Binational Chambers
Representatives of Namibia in South Africa
South African Representatives in Namibia
South African Representatives at International Organisations in Namibia
Standard Bank of SA Ltd Representation
SBSA has a subsidiary in Namibia, known as Standard Bank Namibia Limited.
Standard Bank Namibia Limited offers a complete range of financial services, including:
– Domestic money transfers and payments
– Savings and investments
– Loans and finance
– Foreign exchange and travel services
– Assurance/insurance
– Other services such as investment advice, financial planning, safe custody, fleet management, electronic banking services, Standard Bank Namibia Master Card/Garage Card and asset management.
There are 19 branches and 19 agencies within Namibia which can assist you.
Business hours:
09h00 – 15h30 Weekdays
08h30 – 11h00 Saturdays
08h30 – opening time first and last business day of each month.
Organisational Membership
African Development Bank (AfDB)
Common Market for Eastern & Southern Africa (COMESA)
Customs Co-operation Council (CCC)
International Finance Corporation (IFC)
International Monetary Fund (IMF)
Non-Aligned Movement
Organisation of African Unity (OAU)
South African Customs Union (SACU)
Southern African Development Community (SADC)
United Nations (UN)
United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD)
World Bank (IBRD)
World Customs Organisation (WCO)
World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO)
World Trade Organisation (WTO)
Available Risk Cover
Credit Guarantee Insurance Corporation (CGIC) do offer cover to South African companies exporting to Namibia.
Trading Statistics
Total Imports: US$ 1,467,000,000 (1995)
Total Exports: US$ 1,369,000,000 (1995)
Principal Trading Partners
Exports: Botswana, Germany, Japan, South Africa, Spain, Swaziland, Switzerland, United Kingdom
Imports: Botswana, France, Germany, Japan, South Africa, Swaziland, Switzerland, U.S.A.
Main Import Commodities
Animals
Beverages
Building materials
Chemical Products
Consumer Goods
Electric appliances and parts
Food ingredients
Footwear & footwear components
Fuel
Industrial equipment
Machinery
Metal & metal products
Paper, various
Petroleum products
Pharmaceuticals
Plastic products
Rubber
Spare Parts
Textiles and Knitwear
Timber
Transport Equipment
Vehicles
Main Export Commodities
Animals
Copper
Diamonds, cut
Fish
Gemstones
Granite
Handicrafts
Hides and skins
Lead products
Marble
Meat
Processed food products
Uranium
Zinc
RSA Exports – Recommended Terms
Open Account (this may change should the Namibian Dollar de-link from the South African Rand).
SBSA has the capacity to confirm Letters of Credit issued by Prime Namibian Banks.
Foreign Exchange
Present foreign exchange control regulations are identical to South Africa’s, except that the N$ 200,000 limit per individual to hold fund, in offshore accounts are not available to Namibia residents.
There are no restrictions on foreign investors bringing funds into or taking investment capital, interest or dividends out of Namibia. There is a 10% withholding tax on dividends and no withholding tax on interest.
The Namibia Dollar is not legal tender in South Africa. But the Rand and Namibia Dollar are, however, legal tender in Namibia.
The Bank of Namibia, on behalf of the Ministry of Finance, controls all external currency transactions.
Advance payments for imports require the approval of the Bank of Namibia.
Trade General
As Namibia is a member of the South African Customs Union (SACU), goods are traded openly between the two countries and are free of duties and quotas. The country has its own Department of Customs and Excise.
Sales tax and sales duty due on goods imported into Namibia must be paid immediately at the point of entry.
Import and Export permits are issued by the Ministry of Trade and Industry.
The rule of general sales tax regarding sales and importation is 8 %, there is a 5% additional sales tax – (up to 23% for luxury items), while the rate of sales tax on taxable services is 11 %.
Goods may be declared for consumption, warehousing, removal to another approved port, or transhipment.
Foreign investments are encouraged by the Namibian government.
Namibia has opened an Export Processing Zone in Walvis Bay.
Namibia has the right to restrict the imports of certain products (through customs duties or quantitative restrictions) from countries outside of SACU and from countries of SACU under certain conditions.
The sample regulations in force in South Africa apply to Namibia. Within SACU the movement of commercial samples occurs freely.
Namibia offers attractive tax incentives to manufacturers.
Manufacturing parks have been established to stimulate small and medium enterprises.
Documentation
Air Waybill
Is required based on the requirements of the importer and of the airline used.
Bill of Lading
For customs purposes in Namibia one negotiable and two non-negotiable copies. The bill of lading may be made out “to order”.
Certificate of Origin
Namibia has introduced three forms:
– NA500 which is a goods declaration form for up to 3 products.
– NA550, a continuation of the NA500, but facilitates the declaration of 3 or more product types.
– NA45 is a goods declaration, inquiry, request to amend errors on NA500/550
Commercial Invoice
4 Copies and 1 must be original. There is no set form.
Customs Form
Customs form CCA1: This form is no longer valid.
Import Licenses
No restrictions on imports originating from any country of the SACU. Imports from countries outside the SACU are usually licensed in conformity with South Africa’s import regulations.
Packing List
3 copies are required and should contain the necessary data which must agree with that in other documents.
Permits and Visas
Valid passports are required by South African visitors.
There are no visa requirements for South Africans.
Pro-forma Invoice
Pro-forma invoice: May be requested by the importer as the first step in negotiating an import contract.
Other Documentation
Phytosanitary certificates are required for shipments of living plants, seeds, fresh fruits and vegetables.
Marking of Goods and Packages
Textile goods containing sheep’s wool, whether in the piece or made up, are now subject to special marking regulations.
Special marking regulations are required for potentially harmful drugs, many other drugs and for food.
Labels should be in English.
