Ngwenya – A Swazi woman married in South Africa says she narrowly avoided being denied entry into Eswatini at the Ngwenya border on 30 December 2025 because she was driving a South African-registered vehicle. She told JTM Media that she regularly crosses the border, often twice a month, without any issues. However, on the morning of 30 December, she was stopped by border officers who asked to see her passport, questioning why she was using a South African-registered car while holding a Swazi passport.
She recalled the encounter vividly, saying officers asked her to confirm whether she was Swazi or South African. When she responded that she was Swazi, the officials reportedly said she could not enter the country in her vehicle because it bore a Gauteng registration plate. She questioned the reasoning, asking what her car’s registration had to do with her nationality. The officers instructed her to present her marriage certificate to prove her status, which she found unreasonable, asking, “Who carries marriage certificates around?”
Her husband, who was with her at the border, had to intervene to clarify that she resides in South Africa and is permitted to drive a South African vehicle while remaining a Swazi citizen. She explained that she uses her South African car because she lives in South Africa, but she continues to hold her Swazi passport and citizenship. Despite her explanation, the officers warned her that if she tried to enter again using a South African car with a Swazi passport, she could be denied entry.
The incident prompted JTM Media to seek comment from the Eswatini Revenue Service, which provided a detailed explanation of the official rules governing foreign-registered vehicles entering Eswatini. ERS Director of Communications and Marketing Ntobeko Dlamini said that all goods entering the country, including motor vehicles, must be declared and applicable duties and taxes paid. Foreign-registered vehicles are treated as imported goods, and temporary importation is only allowed under certain conditions.
According to ERS, Liswati residents may temporarily import foreign-registered vehicles only if they can demonstrate legal residence in the country of registration, such as holding a valid study, work, or residence permit. If a Liswati does not have such legal residence abroad, they must declare the vehicle and pay the necessary duties and taxes when bringing it into Eswatini. Affidavits from vehicle owners are not recognized as substitutes for formal customs clearance, and cannot authorize temporary importation.
The agency further explained that enforcement actions, including impounding vehicles, occur when customs procedures are not properly followed. Vehicles may be detained if there is no valid Temporary Import Permit, if the permit is expired, or if the permit is not issued in the driver’s name. Border officials may also require the vehicle owner to be physically present when the car is intended for re-export to ensure compliance with customs laws.
ERS clarified that temporary importation concessions are granted to foreign residents for the duration of their stay in Eswatini and are not transferable to Eswatini citizens unless reviewed and approved by the agency. Drivers are encouraged to familiarize themselves with customs regulations before traveling with foreign-registered vehicles. Relevant information is available on the ERS website, and the agency provides phone and WhatsApp contact lines for travelers seeking clarification.
The woman told JTM Media that she was left frustrated by the encounter and cautioned that her experience might affect other Swazi nationals living abroad who routinely enter Eswatini with foreign-registered cars. She said that going forward, she has been warned that crossing into Eswatini with her South African car while using her Swazi passport could result in denial of entry if the proper customs requirements are not met.
Her case illustrates the challenges faced by Liswati citizens who maintain residence abroad yet regularly travel home, navigating the complex regulations on foreign-registered vehicles and customs compliance. The incident also raises questions about border procedures and how familiar travelers are informed about the conditions for temporary vehicle importation.
ERS urges all travelers to declare imported vehicles, pay applicable duties, and ensure that temporary import permits are valid and issued in their name to avoid similar incidents.
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