Lobatse Clay Works

This case study examines the trade barriers faced by Lobatse Clay Works, a brick producer exporting from Botswana into Southern Africa, highlighting systemic inconsistencies in regulations, taxation, and infrastructure.

• Lobatse Clay Works identifies three primary trade barriers: inconsistent weighbridge readings, varying vehicle permit and insurance costs (which now include a carbon tax), and general inconsistencies in regional policies and regulations.
• Weighbridge discrepancies between Botswana and the Namibian border create significant operational risks; drivers facing increased readings must pay immediately in cash, often requiring them to leave trucks in insecure environments to find cash points over 200km away.
• The firm reports that the Southern African Customs Union (SAUC) tariff structure favors South Africa's interests over Botswana's, and notes that carbon tax and VAT calculations are implemented inconsistently across the region.
• Despite extensive participation in SADC forums and workshops, the firm perceives no tangible outcomes from its engagement with policymakers and expresses frustration that the region has discussed the same trade barriers for over 15 years without progress.

APA

South African Institute of International Affairs (2012). Lobatse Clay Works. https://saiia.org.za/saiia-toolkit/lobatse-clay-works/

Chicago

South African Institute of International Affairs. Lobatse Clay Works. 2012. https://saiia.org.za/saiia-toolkit/lobatse-clay-works/.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=South African Institute of International Affairs |title=Lobatse Clay Works |date=24 July 2012 |url=https://saiia.org.za/saiia-toolkit/lobatse-clay-works/ |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{southafricaninstituteofinternationalaffairs2012lobatse, author = {{South African Institute of International Affairs}}, title = {{Lobatse Clay Works}}, institution = {South African Institute of International Affairs}, year = {2012}, month = jul, url = {https://saiia.org.za/saiia-toolkit/lobatse-clay-works/}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }