Time Release Study for Maseru & Ficksburg Border Posts launched

Earlier today, Revenue Services Lesotho (RSL), in collaboration with the South African Revenue Service (SARS), the Border Management Authority (BMA), and the World Customs Organization (WCO), officially launched the End-to-End Time Release Study (TRS) between Lesotho and South Africa at Victory Hall, Maseru.

This comprehensive bi-national study aims to conduct an in-depth diagnostic of border procedures by tracking the full journey of goods and travellers from arrival at one side of the border to release on the other. The objective is to identify bottlenecks in cross-border trade processes, with the goal of streamlining procedures, reducing delays, and enhancing the overall efficiency and quality of trade services at the Maseru and Ficksburg border posts.

The study was officially launched by the Chairperson of the National Trade Facilitation Committee, Ms. Malineo Seboholi, together with Dr. Nkhuliseni Luvhengo from South Africa’s Border Management Authority.

Key remarks were delivered by the Commissioner of Client Services and Head of Customs at RSL, Mr. Rakokoana Makoa; the Deputy Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Business Development, Ms. Tsireletso Mojela; the SARS Director of Customs, Mr. Beyers Theron; and Mr. Arman Zhalitov, Country and Project Lead representing the WCO Accelerated Trade Facilitation Programme. The event also featured input from private sector stakeholders from both Lesotho and South Africa.