NAMIBIA MINING EXPORT PROCEDURE
Step-by-step guide to exporting mineral product from Namibia: which authority signs what, the documents you must hold, royalty payable, and where deals get stuck at the border.
Authority and royalty
Regulator: Ministry of Mines & Energy (MME) and Namibia Revenue Agency (NamRA). Royalty: Copper 3 %, gold/silver 3 %, lithium 5 %, dimension stone 2 %.
Border and logistics
Common exit routes: Walvis Bay (sea), Lüderitz (sea), Hosea Kutako International Airport Windhoek (air, precious).
Documents required
Hold every one of these before booking the truck — missing any single document means the shipment sits at the border.
- Mining licence (ML) or Mineral Deposit Retention Licence
- Export permit from MME
- Certificate of Origin (NCCI)
- Commercial invoice & packing list
- Independent assay (SGS/Bureau Veritas)
- Bill of lading or Air Waybill
- Customs SAD500
- Transit bond if cross-border
Assay and valuation
Always use an internationally recognised assayer (SGS, Bureau Veritas, ALS). The buyer's in-house assay is for reference only — final settlement uses umpire assay clauses in the contract.
Common mistakes
Mistakes we see repeatedly:
- Shipping before MME export permit is signed
- Using a single assay instead of umpire-grade SGS/BV
- Wrong HS code on SAD500 (copper concentrate 2603 vs cathode 7403)
- Missing certificate of origin → 5 % buyer-side duty in EU
Frequently asked questions
How long does export clearance take?
In Namibia, typically 5–15 working days from application to signed export permit, plus 1–3 days customs at the border. Build a 3-week buffer into shipment planning.
Can I export without a refinery?
Most countries allow concentrate and DSO export. Some (Zimbabwe lithium, Indonesia nickel) now restrict raw ore to force domestic beneficiation. Check the latest rule before signing an offtake.
What if my assay differs from the buyer's?
Use the contract's umpire assay clause — a third independent lab whose result is binding. SGS and Bureau Veritas are the most-cited umpires in African mineral contracts.