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Procedure Name

Import Permit for Medicines and Medical Devices

Description

Category	Import Permit for Medicines and Medical Devices (including imported as Donations)
Responsible Agency	Ministry of Health Address: Constitutional Road, Maseru, Lesotho Phone: (+266) 2231 2836 Email: info.health@gov.ls Official Website: www.health.gov.ls
Processing time	1-2 days
Fee	Free

Required Documents

No.	Type of documents	Note
1	Certificate of Analysis	Certificate stating that the consignment was tested and the findings of the analysis.
2	Proforma Invoice	Invoice stating the items the applicant wishes to import
3	Authorization Certificate	An authorisation certificate issued by Lesotho Medicines and Medical Devices Regulatory Authority
4	Trader’s License	License issued to the trader by the Lesotho government.
5	Authorization Certificate from relevant NRA of the exporting country	Authorization Certificate from relevant NRA of the exporting country
6	Donation Approval Letter	A letter stipulating that the donation was approved for import/export. (For Donations only)

Process Steps

This procedure is now to be handled through the Lesotho National Single Window (LNSW) from 20 October 2025 and is a fully electronic process.

To make an application, an applicant must first be registered with the LNSW. Information regarding the process to register and its requirements can be found at the Lesotho National Single Window portal.

The LNSW is the national system that manages all trade related authorisations. It is the one location from where applications can be made for all types of permits, certificates and licenses required for the import, export and transit of goods in Lesotho. As an electronic system, the LNSW receives a single application and directs it to all involved responsible agencies for their processing.

An applicant can track the progress of their applications through the LNSW and do not need to physically visit the offices of the agencies involved. Where payment is required for a permit, this can be made either at the Agency's cashier office or shall soon be possible fully electronic through the LNSW without need to visit the involved agencies cashier.

Upon issue, the permit reference number need only be referenced when making a Customs declaration in ASYCUDA World and there is no need to attach a scanned image of the permit as was previously required with paper-based permits.

The diagram below describes the application process steps for the above-mentioned permit on LNSW.