Namibia: sanctions and trade risk

No elevated indicator

As of 7 November 2026, the screened UN, EU, UK, Swiss and US sanctions lists contain 2 companies, organisations, vessels and aircraft linked to Namibia.Lists last checked 2026-11-07 21:01 UTC.

Logistics profile: ports, airports, customs, documents, holidays, news ↓

No elevated country indicator for Namibia in the route rules Sanctioni uses. That is not a clearance: goods may still be export-controlled, and parties in Namibia may still be on a list.

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On the sanctions lists

2 entries on the official lists name Namibia — as nationality, address, registration or flag. That links them to the country; it says nothing about other companies there. The same company can appear on several lists and is then counted once per list. Individuals are not included — Sanctioni does not process them.

List	Entries	Companies & organisations	Vessels	Aircraft
US OFAC — Specially Designated Nationals (SDN)	2	2	—	—

Latest changes

No new listings or removals naming Namibia recorded yet.

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Logistics profile

Namibia: logistics and trade

Atlantic gateway for southern Africa (SADC), commodity exporter, import-dependent

Namibia lies in south-western Africa on the Atlantic coast, bordering Angola, Zambia, Botswana and South Africa. With around 3.02 million inhabitants (2023 census) across about 825,615 square kilometres, it is one of the most sparsely populated countries in the world. The capital is Windhoek and the currency is the Namibian dollar (NAD), pegged 1:1 to the South African rand; both are legal tender within the Common Monetary Area. Logistically, Namibia is an important Atlantic gateway for Southern Africa through the deep-water port of Walvis Bay. The country belongs to the Southern African Customs Union (SACU) and SADC; imports are cleared once and then move freely within the customs union. Customs clearance is handled electronically via ASYCUDA World at the Namibia Revenue Agency (NamRA). Import VAT is 15 percent. Exports are commodity-driven (diamonds, uranium, copper, gold, fish); rough diamonds require a Kimberley Process certificate. Through the Trans-Kalahari, Trans-Cunene and Walvis Bay-Ndola-Lubumbashi corridors, Walvis Bay connects to the landlocked countries of Botswana, Zambia and the DR Congo.

Capital: Windhoek
Population: 3,022,401
Area: 825,615 km²
Currency: Namibian Dollar
Continent: Africa
Region: Southern Africa
Economic area: SACU / SADC
Religions: Christianity
Access to the sea: Yes

Transport modes Road · Rail

Current situation: The expansion of the port of Walvis Bay (new container terminal since 2019) and of the corridors strengthens its role as SADC gateway. The port reached a record of around 254000 TEU in 2024/25.
Seasonal conditions: Dry desert climate; sporadic heavy rain in the rainy season (November to April) can temporarily interrupt roads in the interior and in the north.

Main seaports

Walvis Bay
Walvis Bay (NA WVB): Namibia's main seaport, 750,000 TEU terminal under MSC concession and corridor gateway to Botswana, Zambia and the DRC.
Luderitz Bay
Lüderitz (NA LUD): multipurpose dry-bulk port of southern Namibia. Manganese re-export, fishing, offshore base; not a container port. Alternative: Walvis Bay.

Main cargo airports

Hosea Kutako International AirportWDH
Hosea Kutako (WDH), Namibia's main airport near Windhoek: high-value air exports, Ethiopian Cargo and UPS links, and a sea route via the Port of Walvis Bay.

Road corridors

Trans-Kalahari Corridor (Walvis Bay - Botswana - Gauteng/South Africa)
Trans-Cunene Corridor (Walvis Bay - Angola)
Walvis Bay-Ndola-Lubumbashi Corridor (Zambia/DR Congo)

Rail corridors

TransNamib rail network (Walvis Bay - Windhoek - South Africa)

Inland ports

Dry ports at the port of Walvis Bay (for Zambia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, DR Congo)

Main trade lanes

Walvis Bay - South Africa
Walvis Bay - Zambia/DR Congo (Copperbelt)
Namibia - China
Namibia - EU

Customs and import

Customs authority Namibia Revenue Agency (NamRA)Official website ↗

Import customs system: ASYCUDA World (electronic customs declaration). Namibia belongs to the SACU customs union; goods cleared through Walvis Bay circulate freely to South Africa, Botswana, Eswatini and Lesotho.
Export customs system: Export declaration via ASYCUDA World with NamRA. Rough diamonds require a Kimberley Process certificate (Diamond Act 13/1999).
Import VAT: 15 percent standard rate (import VAT on the higher value of FOB plus 10 percent or market value); basic foodstuffs and certain goods 0 percent. De minimis around 50 USD.
Proofs of origin and trade agreements: SACU (common external tariff), SADC free trade area and AfCFTA; preferences under the SADC-EU-WPA and the SACUM-UK agreement. Proof of origin depending on the agreement (EUR.1 or origin declaration).
Restricted and prohibited goods: Subject to licence or certificate requirements are, among others, rough diamonds (Kimberley Process), uranium and critical minerals, weapons, and certain agricultural and food products. Since June 2023, there has been an export ban on unprocessed critical minerals.

Typical import documents

Commercial invoice
Packing list
Bill of lading or air waybill (B/L or AWB)
Customs declaration SAD 500
Import licence (if required)
Proof of origin (for preference)

Typical export documents

Commercial invoice
Packing list
Export declaration SAD 500
Kimberley Process certificate (rough diamonds)
Export licence (critical minerals)
Proof of origin

Logistics conditions

Customs complexity: Medium
Customs delays: Medium
Port congestion: Low to medium
Dangerous goods relevance: Medium
Pharma and cold chain relevance: Medium
E-commerce relevance: Low to medium

Trade

Top import partners

South Africa China Germany United States India

Top export partners

South Africa China Belgium United Arab Emirates United States

Top import goods

Machinery
Vehicles
Petroleum products
Food
Chemicals

Top export goods

Diamonds
Uranium
Gold
Copper
Fish

Typical cargo

Diamonds
Uranium
Copper and ores
Fish and fish products
Machinery and vehicles (imports)
Petroleum products (imports)

Logistics questions

What is the import VAT rate in Namibia?

The standard rate of import VAT is 15 percent. The tax base is the higher value of FOB plus 10 percent or the market value. Basic foodstuffs and certain goods benefit from a 0 percent rate.

Which customs authority is responsible in Namibia?

The Namibia Revenue Agency (NamRA), through its Customs and Excise division, is responsible. Customs declarations are submitted electronically via the ASYCUDA World system.

Does Namibia belong to a customs union?

Yes. Namibia is a member of the Southern African Customs Union (SACU) with South Africa, Botswana, Eswatini and Lesotho, as well as of SADC. Goods cleared through Walvis Bay circulate freely within SACU.

Which port is most important for imports into Namibia?

The deep-sea port of Walvis Bay is the most important seaport and serves as the Atlantic gateway for southern Africa. A second, smaller port is Lüderitz. Both are operated by Namport.

What currency is used in Namibia?

The Namibia dollar (NAD) is pegged 1:1 to the South African rand. Within the Common Monetary Area, the rand is also legal tender in Namibia.

What special rules apply to exporting diamonds and minerals?

Exporting rough diamonds requires a Kimberley Process certificate under the Diamond Act 13/1999. Since June 2023, there has also been an export ban on unprocessed critical minerals.

How do goods get from Walvis Bay to the interior?

Through several corridors: the Trans-Kalahari Corridor to Botswana and South Africa, the Trans-Cunene Corridor to Angola, and the Walvis Bay-Ndola-Lubumbashi Corridor to Zambia and the DR Congo. The TransNamib rail network is also available.

Full logistics profile on Freight Academy ↗