Non-Tariff Barriers

Complaint

Complaint number

NTB-000-741  

NTB Type

3. Technical barriers to trade (TBT)  

NTM Code

B1: Import authorization/licensing related to technical barriers to trade 

Complaint

New Agency (Bromangol) have been appointed in addition to the Ministry of Health and this has resulted in duplication of processes and tests and this is additional costs for exporter. It takes 43 days to clear goods before they can enter and about 9 imports documentation and process take place. Lack of training by officials. Currently there is a freeze on the issuance of new import licenses and there is no indication as to when will the freeze be lifted. There is no transparency regarding requirements, rules and regulations to comply with exporting. All this rules and regulations changes without notification and it is expected to comply with them immediately. These results in rates introduces which differ from one port to another. (Inconsistent application). There is lack of enforcement and date which increase the uncertainty.

It take 6 - 8 weeks just to obtain visa to Angola, it is not possible to obtain a multiple entry visa. For every business trip visa is a prerequisite. Intellectually property rights legislation is not implemented and it results in litigating which is costly to protect the trademark.The time frame for credit letters used to be 30 days now it is 210 days.  

Status note

On 7 June 2018, Angola Focal point reported that the laboratory analysis of food and / or perishable products entering Angola conducted by the company Bromangol is no longer mandatory. This activity is liberalized and has competition from any other private company interested in the sector, including the laboratories of the Ministry of Health and Agriculture. In addition, the Customs no longer require the presentation of sanitary inspection certificate issued by Bomangol as a requirement for the submission of the Customs Declaration since November 2017.  

Progress update note

1. During the 15th meeting of the SADC sub committee on Trade facilitation held in may 2017, Angola reported that there is need to safe guard public health through use of the import requirements. However, the procedures must be simplified. Angola is in therefore in the process of revising her commercial procedures to facilitate trade. She queried the 45 days indicated in the complaint as there are only 9 documents required for importing so this cannot take 45 days. Angola to review and advise. 2. With regards freeze on issuance of import licences, Angola explained that this to curb imports as it was experiencing an influx therefore necessitating temporary freeze of imports permits to allow processing of earlier submissions. Lack of information to importers on the freeze could be as a result of lack of knowledge and transparency by officials at the border . There is need for regular notification of all changes to requirements.
2. On 7 June 2018, Angola Focal point reported that the laboratory analysis of food and / or perishable products entering Angola conducted by the company Bromangol is no longer mandatory. This activity is liberalized and has competition from any other private company interested in the sector, including the laboratories of the Ministry of Health and Agriculture. In addition, the Customs no longer require the presentation of sanitary inspection certificate issued by Bomangol as a requirement for the submission of the Customs Declaration since November 2017.  

Policy or regulatory NTB

No 

Location

Angola: Port of Luanda (Seaport)  

Reporting Country or Region

South Africa  

Country specific trade issue

No  

Date of incident

2017-02-24  

Status

Resolved  

Date of resolution

2018-06-07  

Product Description

All products

Computer-assisted translation

• English
• Arabic
• French
• Portuguese

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Total value

Kz1 000 000.00  

Date reported

2017-03-14 14:30  

Modified

2018-06-11 13:41