Non-Tariff Barriers

Complaint

Complaint number

NTB-000-527  

NTB Type

2.6. Additional taxes and other charges  

Complaint

The 16th Zimbabwe/Zambia Joint Commission held in Masvingo from 23-25 August 2012 learnt that Zambia had introduced a law which compels informal traders from outside that country to pay 1 Million Kwacha for a trading permit. The permit is valid for six months. Zimbabwe viewed the Zambia action as against the principles of the COMESA Simplified Trade Regime (STR) and also constituting an NTB.  

Status note

On 25 September 2012, Zambia Focal point reported that the complaint from Zimbabwe with regard to the introduction of the Cross Border Permit valued at ZMK,000,000 as provided for under the new Immigration laws is valid. In a follow up with Zambia Immigration at Kariba Border post on 12 April 2013, it was reported that the ZMK 1 million was reasonable because the permit is a multi-entry and does not restrict traders to number of days per visit during in the six months validity of the permit. Further, the Focal point reported that Zambia was in the process of reviewing the fee downwards. The signing of the statutory instrument by the Hon. Minister of Home Affairs so as to operationalise the same is still being awaited.  

Progress update note

On 25 September 2012, Zambia Focal point reported that the complaint from Zimbabwe with regard to the introduction of the Cross Border Permit valued at ZMK1,000,000 as provided for under the new Immigration laws is valid. However it should be mentioned that Zambia is in the process of reviewing the fee downwards.The signing of the statutory instrument by the Hon. Minister of Home Affairs so as to operationalise the same is still being awaited.  

Policy or regulatory NTB

No 

Location

Zambia: Chirundu (Border post)  

Reporting Country or Region

Zimbabwe  

Country specific trade issue

No  

Date of incident

2012-08-20  

Status

Resolved  

Date of resolution

2013-04-12  

Product Description

All products

Computer-assisted translation

• English
• Arabic
• French
• Portuguese

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Total value

0  

Date reported

2012-08-31 09:32  

Modified

2013-09-26 12:09