Lesotho Customs Regulations

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Import Regulations

*South African nationals are banned from importing any alcohol into the country.

400 cigarettes
50 cigars
250 grammes of tobacco
2 litres of wine
1 litre of other alcoholic beverages*
50 ml of perfume
250 ml toiletries
Other legal gifts up to LSL 500
South African nationals are banned from importing any alcohol into the country.

Illegal drugs
Weapons, Explosives and ammunition
Dangerous weapons
Plant and Plant products – unless permission has been obtained
Pets and animals – unless permission has been obtained
Dairy and meat products
Counterfeit money and goods
Gambling machines
Pornographic or blasphemous material

Livestock, seeds, bulbs, plants and trees may not be imported without payment of Customs and Sales Duty and are subject to quarantine restrictions.
Goods with serial numbers must be declared at the customs department before being granted admission into the country.
All cats and dogs being imported into the country will require a veterinarian health certificate alongside a rabies vaccination certificate issued by the country of origin before being granted entry.

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Export Regulations

No information available

Illegal drugs
Weapons, Explosives and ammunition
Dangerous weapons
Plant and Plant products – unless permission has been obtained
Pets and animals – unless permission has been obtained
Dairy and meat products
Counterfeit money and goods
Gambling machines
Pornographic or blasphemous material

Travellers leaving Lesotho will be required to pay a LSL 20 Airport Passenger Service Tax inside Maseru Airport before being able to exit the country.

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Health & Security

Basic health information for travelers to Lesotho

Lesotho can become a very warm country throughout the summer months and all travellers to the region are urged to take along plenty of bottled water and sunscreen for protection.

Basic security information for travelers to Lesotho

🩺 Basic Health Information for Travelers to Lesotho

A yellow fever vaccination is required from all travellers coming into the country from an infected region. Travellers from non infected regions are still advised to obtain the necessary vaccination prior to entering the country.
Although tap and other water sources are considered safe to drink, water in more rural areas may carry additional risks of infection and should be thoroughly boiled before being drunk. Cases of schistomiasis have been reported in the past and travellers should exercise caution if choosing to swim in any local streams, ponds or lakes. Local milk is usually pasteurised and all local dairy products should be considered safe for consumption. Local meat, fish, fruit and vegetables should also be safe to eat although all meat based products should still be well cooked and served boiling hot to be sure.
There is a minor risk from water based diseases throughout the country including Hepatitis A, E, Giardiasis and Typhoid. All travellers to Lesotho are advised to make sure that all native water sources are safe to consume and food and drink served from vendors should be treated with caution.
TB is present throughout Lesotho and any travellers planning on staying inside the country for a prolonged period of time is strongly advised to obtain the necessary protection against the infection prior to their arrival.
Cases of Hepatitis B and sexually transmitted diseases are endemic throughout the country and all travellers to the region should observe all normal precautions when dealing with bloody needles or if engaging in sexual activity during the course of their visit.
Lesotho can become a very warm country throughout the summer months and all travellers to the region are urged to take along plenty of bottled water and sunscreen for protection.
Travellers to the country are advised against any contact with wild dogs or other animals whose bites might contain Rabies. If bitten, travellers should immediately clean the wound and seek out medical assistance to check for any signs of infection.
Most travellers to Lesotho will be required to travel through South Africa and should research and conform to that countries health regulations prior to beginning their journey.
The overall standard of available healthcare facilities is quite limited throughout the entire country with many travellers heading to the hospitals inside nearby Bloemfontein, South Africa for treatment. Supplies of medicines may be expensive or difficult to obtain in this country and all visitors to the region should keep an emergency supply of medicine on hand in case of an emergency. Doctors throughout the region are likely to demand instant payment for any services rendered and full travel and health insurance should be obtained prior to beginning any journey into this country. An emergency airlift to a nearby country might be required in the event of a serious accident or illness.

🛡 Basic Security Information for Travelers to Lesotho

Although relatively safe, instances of violent crime have been reported throughout the capital Maseru and in other major cities throughout the country. All travellers to the country are strongly advised to keep their passport and other valuables in a safe and secure location for the duration of their visit and should avoid any obvious public displays of wealth which could serve to attract any unwanted attention. Travellers are also advised to keep at least one copy of their passport with them at all times in the event of a serious accident. Street lighting can be very limited to non -existent in some sections of the country and all travellers should avoid travelling down poorly lit or maintained roads after dark.
There have been several demonstrations inside the country in recent years and an assassination attempt on the Prime Minister in 2009. All visitors to the region should avoid any large demonstrations or protests which could potentially turn violent and should stay informed regarding the current political and social situation inside the country before beginning your visit.
UK drivers can drive throughout the country for up to three months on a British Driving Licence. The overall standard of roads and drivers inside the country are quite poor and foreign drivers should exercise considerable caution at all times to avoid an accident. Assistance maybe very limited in more remote sections of the country whilst all travellers should avoid driving down poorly lit roads after dark.
Violent storms often occur during the summer months between November and February and can often lead to serious flooding. All drivers travelling throughout the region during this period are advised to check both the local authorities and the weather forecast before starting any potentially dangerous conditions. Fuel supplies are likely to be very limited outside of the major cities and all foreign drivers should make sure that they have sufficient supplies of fuel before beginning their journey.
Cars rented in South Africa may be brought into Lesotho with a letter of authorization from the rental company which should be kept with them at all times. Incidents of car- jacking have been reported inside the country and travellers should keep their car locked and secure at all times.
Penalties for any drugs related offences are often serious and can result in heavy fines and jail sentences. Local prisons maybe less pleasant than many foreign tourists are used to and all visitors to the country should avoid any activities which could help bring them to the attention of the security services. Photographs of important military and government sites are illegal and could be removed without warning by the security services.
Homosexuality is currently illegal in this country and all same sex couples should take great care and avoid any public displays of affection which could potentially lead to trouble.

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Contact Information

For further assistance please contact the Basotho Customs authorities directly. They will provide the latest information about customs regulations and export-import procedures.

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Telephone

+26622313796 / +26622328585

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Official Website

www.lra.org.ls