Swaziland

Bernard Venter

New member
Do I need a passport for my son age under 12 years when visiting Swaziland? He accompanies me, and I have a passport?

How strict is the border control entering Swaziland on vehicle / trailer (boat) control? Do I need to take all the vehicle documents with?

 

 
 

Simen

Sealiner
If memory serves correct. Your son does have to have a passport- Either he is connected onto your passport or they issue his own. How strict are they? that depends through which gate you are going. Take your papers along ( or certified copies ) Should your vehicle, boat, trailer etc. still be under HP get a letter from the bank stating this and also stating that they are aware that you will be across border from date to date. Dont violate traffic rules as it will be an expensive excersize.
Sometimes the gates are not the problem but more the road traffic cops who will look for any excuse just to get a freebie.
 

Ryan

Sealiner
Bernard - Swazi immigration are very sticky at the Border - Your son needs to be on his own passport or in yours as a minor - sorry to be the bearer of bad news....

Customs however are very lax they normally don't worry about papers etc. SA Cops will check Vin/Chassis and engine no's physically and they will radio to confirm the "Status" of the vehicle. SA customs and immigration are easy - no sweat.

I used to travel in and out of Swaziland on a regular basis - you need to buy a road tax voucher I think it was like R15 or something rediculous maybe 50E now.

Petrol is normally cheaper that side too these days
 
I lived for two year in Swaziland.
The maximum fine they are allowed to give you in Swaziland is 60 bucks (could've gone up slightly) if they are fining you anything more they are taking a chance. And that applies for driving under the influence, or without a licence.

Rather take all the paperwork with, you dont want to stand 500km away from home and then find out you needed papers. How strict they are depends a lot through which border you go. Oshoek is quite strict, but Mananga (just South of Komatipoort) or Jeppe's reef is not that bad. Usually they don't ask vehicle papers of the vehicle you're driving but if you have anything on trailer they will probably ask papers.

If all else fails, remember the MAGIC rule, be very friendly and play stupid. Helped me out of a lot of problems in Swazi.
 

DWB

Sealiner
I got max fine 1st time i entered swaziland.......

Then i had no money on me so i told the cop i'll go and fetch, when i returned i drove half the speed limit and then told him to give me discount, which he did....

HAHAHAHAHA
 
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