Non-Tariff Barriers :: Trade barriers in Africa

What is a Non-Tariff Barrier (NTB)?

Non-Tariff Barriers (NTBs) refer to restrictions that result from prohibitions, conditions, or specific market requirements that make importation or exportation of products difficult and/or costly.

Documents

18 April 2018
THE EAST AFRICAN COMMUNITY ELIMINATION OF NON-TARIFF BARRIERS ACT, 2017
18 April 2018
THE EAST AFRICAN COMMUNITY ELIMINATION OF NON-TARIFF BARRIERS ACT, 2017
28 August 2013
REPORT OF THE TWENTY-NINTH MEETING OF THE TRADE AND CUSTOMS COMMITTEE
28 August 2013
TRIPARTITE NTBs ONLINE REPORTING, MONITORING AND ELIMINATING MECHANISM MEETING TO LAUNCH THE SMS REPORTING TOOL: 9th-10th April 2013; Cresta Golf View Hotel, Lusaka, Zambia
28 August 2013
Status of NTBs Elimination as per March 2013

Report an NTB

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Reported to the appropriate country representatives
Published on this website

New trade regulations

03 May 2021
Beitbridge upgrade to cause six weeks of delays to one of Africa’s busiest border posts 🔗
10 May 2016
PASSPORT HOLDERS WHO ARE EXEMPT FROM VISAS FOR SOUTH AFRICA - 2016 ( SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE)
VISA EXEMPTI...uth Africa.pdf
02 December 2014
CUSTOMS AND EXCISE (TARIFFS) (AMENDMENT) ORDER, 2014
Malawi CUSTO...ORDER 2014.pdf
02 December 2014
CUSTOMS AND EXCISE (TARIFFS) (AMENDMENT) ORDER, 2014
28 November 2014
STATEMENT BY FEDERATION OF EAST AND SOUTHERN AFRICA ROAD TRANSPORT ASSOCIATIONS (FESARTA) On Fire at KASUMBALESA BORDER POST - DRC/ZAMBIA
Statement by...order Post.pdf

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Statistics

818 complaints registered
741 complaints resolved
77 complaints unresolved

In the news

10 November 2022WTO joins call for greener markets and trade logistics to promote low-carbon transition
10 November 2022Members hold informal talks on WTO reform
10 November 2022WHO, WIPO, WTO to hold technical symposium on response, preparedness to future pandemics
9 November 2022DG Okonjo-Iweala: Make trade and investment a key part of delivering on climate action
8 November 2022DG Okonjo-Iweala: Trade is critical in global response to climate change
8 November 2022DG Okonjo-Iweala: World “cannot afford to leave trade and WTO behind” in climate actions
8 November 2022DG joins world leaders in call to mobilize USD 12.5 billion for climate action in Africa
8 November 2022WTO Fisheries Funding Mechanism now operational to assist developing countries and LDCs
7 November 2022DG Okonjo-Iweala: Trade is essential part of climate action efforts to achieve food security

Complaint Statistics

[{"Complaint":{"total":"9","resolved":"5","allProgress":"2","progress30":"0","progress60":"0","progress":"2","ntbName":null}},{"Complaint":{"total":"44","resolved":"40","allProgress":"1","progress30":"0","progress60":"0","progress":"1","ntbName":"1.1. Export subsidies"}},{"Complaint":{"total":"15","resolved":"14","allProgress":"1","progress30":"0","progress60":"0","progress":"1","ntbName":"1.2. Government monopoly in export\/import"}},{"Complaint":{"total":"3","resolved":"3","allProgress":"0","progress30":"0","progress60":"0","progress":"0","ntbName":"1.3. State subsidies, procurement, trading, state ownership"}},{"Complaint":{"total":"7","resolved":"5","allProgress":"2","progress30":"0","progress60":"0","progress":"2","ntbName":"1.4. Preference given to domestic bidders\/suppliers"}},{"Complaint":{"total":"2","resolved":"1","allProgress":"1","progress30":"0","progress60":"0","progress":"1","ntbName":"1.6. Domestic assistance programmes for companies"}},{"Complaint":{"total":"10","resolved":"7","allProgress":"3","progress30":"0","progress60":"0","progress":"3","ntbName":"1.7. Discriminatory or flawed gov. procurement policies"}},{"Complaint":{"total":"19","resolved":"18","allProgress":"1","progress30":"0","progress60":"0","progress":"1","ntbName":"1.8. Import bans"}},{"Complaint":{"total":"1","resolved":"1","allProgress":"0","progress30":"0","progress60":"0","progress":"0","ntbName":"1.9. Determination of eligibility of an exporting country by the importing country"}},{"Complaint":{"total":"1","resolved":"1","allProgress":"0","progress30":"0","progress60":"0","progress":"0","ntbName":"1.11. Occupational safety and health regulation"}},{"Complaint":{"total":"1","resolved":"1","allProgress":"0","progress30":"0","progress60":"0","progress":"0","ntbName":"1.13. \"Buy national\" policy"}},{"Complaint":{"total":"16","resolved":"15","allProgress":"1","progress30":"0","progress60":"0","progress":"1","ntbName":"1.14. Lack of coordination between government institutions"}},{"Complaint":{"total":"3","resolved":"3","allProgress":"0","progress30":"0","progress60":"0","progress":"0","ntbName":"1.15. Other"}},{"Complaint":{"total":"12","resolved":"10","allProgress":"2","progress30":"0","progress60":"0","progress":"2","ntbName":"2.2. Arbitrary customs classification"}},{"Complaint":{"total":"103","resolved":"95","allProgress":"8","progress30":"0","progress60":"0","progress":"8","ntbName":"2.3. Issues related to the rules of origin"}},{"Complaint":{"total":"15","resolved":"13","allProgress":"2","progress30":"0","progress60":"1","progress":"1","ntbName":"2.4. Import licensing"}},{"Complaint":{"total":"1","resolved":"1","allProgress":"0","progress30":"0","progress60":"0","progress":"0","ntbName":"2.5. Decreed customs surcharges"}},{"Complaint":{"total":"46","resolved":"34","allProgress":"12","progress30":"1","progress60":"0","progress":"11","ntbName":"2.6. Additional taxes and other charges"}},{"Complaint":{"total":"21","resolved":"21","allProgress":"0","progress30":"0","progress60":"0","progress":"0","ntbName":"2.7. Int. taxes & charges on imp. and other tariff measures"}},{"Complaint":{"total":"74","resolved":"72","allProgress":"2","progress30":"0","progress60":"0","progress":"2","ntbName":"2.8. Lengthy and costly customs clearance procedures"}},{"Complaint":{"total":"7","resolved":"7","allProgress":"0","progress30":"0","progress60":"0","progress":"0","ntbName":"2.9. Issues related to transit fees"}},{"Complaint":{"total":"21","resolved":"20","allProgress":"1","progress30":"0","progress60":"0","progress":"1","ntbName":"2.10. Inadequate\/unreasonable customs proc. and charges"}},{"Complaint":{"total":"2","resolved":"2","allProgress":"0","progress30":"0","progress60":"0","progress":"0","ntbName":"2.11. Lack of control in Customs infrastructure"}},{"Complaint":{"total":"2","resolved":"2","allProgress":"0","progress30":"0","progress60":"0","progress":"0","ntbName":"2.12. Lack of capacity of Customs officers"}},{"Complaint":{"total":"9","resolved":"7","allProgress":"2","progress30":"0","progress60":"0","progress":"2","ntbName":"2.13. Issues related to Pre-Shipment Inspections"}},{"Complaint":{"total":"14","resolved":"14","allProgress":"0","progress30":"0","progress60":"0","progress":"0","ntbName":"2.14. Other"}},{"Complaint":{"total":"22","resolved":"14","allProgress":"8","progress30":"0","progress60":"0","progress":"8","ntbName":"3. Technical barriers to trade (TBT)"}},{"Complaint":{"total":"1","resolved":"1","allProgress":"0","progress30":"0","progress60":"0","progress":"0","ntbName":"3.3. Standards disparities"}},{"Complaint":{"total":"5","resolved":"4","allProgress":"1","progress30":"0","progress60":"0","progress":"1","ntbName":"4. Sanitary & phyto-sanitary (SPS) measures"}},{"Complaint":{"total":"1","resolved":"1","allProgress":"0","progress30":"0","progress60":"0","progress":"0","ntbName":"4.1. Issues related to sanitary and phyto-sanitary measures"}},{"Complaint":{"total":"16","resolved":"16","allProgress":"0","progress30":"0","progress60":"0","progress":"0","ntbName":"5.1. Quantitative restrictions"}},{"Complaint":{"total":"3","resolved":"3","allProgress":"0","progress30":"0","progress60":"0","progress":"0","ntbName":"5.2. Exchange controls"}},{"Complaint":{"total":"8","resolved":"7","allProgress":"1","progress30":"0","progress60":"0","progress":"1","ntbName":"5.3. Export taxes"}},{"Complaint":{"total":"3","resolved":"3","allProgress":"0","progress30":"0","progress60":"0","progress":"0","ntbName":"5.4. Quotas"}},{"Complaint":{"total":"6","resolved":"5","allProgress":"1","progress30":"0","progress60":"0","progress":"1","ntbName":"5.5. Import licensing requirements"}},{"Complaint":{"total":"1","resolved":"1","allProgress":"0","progress30":"0","progress60":"0","progress":"0","ntbName":"5.6. Proportion restrictions of foreign to domestic goods"}},{"Complaint":{"total":"4","resolved":"4","allProgress":"0","progress30":"0","progress60":"0","progress":"0","ntbName":"5.7. Minimum import price limits"}},{"Complaint":{"total":"1","resolved":"0","allProgress":"1","progress30":"0","progress60":"0","progress":"1","ntbName":"5.8. Embargoes"}},{"Complaint":{"total":"3","resolved":"3","allProgress":"0","progress30":"0","progress60":"0","progress":"0","ntbName":"5.10. Prohibitions"}},{"Complaint":{"total":"13","resolved":"13","allProgress":"0","progress30":"0","progress60":"0","progress":"0","ntbName":"5.12. Export restraint arrangements"}},{"Complaint":{"total":"2","resolved":"2","allProgress":"0","progress30":"0","progress60":"0","progress":"0","ntbName":"5.13. Other quantity control measures"}},{"Complaint":{"total":"1","resolved":"1","allProgress":"0","progress30":"0","progress60":"0","progress":"0","ntbName":"5.14. Restrictive licenses"}},{"Complaint":{"total":"2","resolved":"2","allProgress":"0","progress30":"0","progress60":"0","progress":"0","ntbName":"5.15. Other"}},{"Complaint":{"total":"2","resolved":"1","allProgress":"1","progress30":"0","progress60":"0","progress":"1","ntbName":"6.1. Prior import deposits and subsidies"}},{"Complaint":{"total":"5","resolved":"5","allProgress":"0","progress30":"0","progress60":"0","progress":"0","ntbName":"6.2. Administrative fees"}},{"Complaint":{"total":"1","resolved":"1","allProgress":"0","progress30":"0","progress60":"0","progress":"0","ntbName":"6.3. Special supplementary duties"}},{"Complaint":{"total":"8","resolved":"8","allProgress":"0","progress30":"0","progress60":"0","progress":"0","ntbName":"6.5. Variable levies"}},{"Complaint":{"total":"5","resolved":"5","allProgress":"0","progress30":"0","progress60":"0","progress":"0","ntbName":"6.6. Border taxes"}},{"Complaint":{"total":"4","resolved":"3","allProgress":"0","progress30":"0","progress60":"0","progress":"0","ntbName":"6.7. Other"}},{"Complaint":{"total":"11","resolved":"10","allProgress":"1","progress30":"0","progress60":"0","progress":"1","ntbName":"7.1. Arbitrariness"}},{"Complaint":{"total":"2","resolved":"2","allProgress":"0","progress30":"0","progress60":"0","progress":"0","ntbName":"7.2. Discrimination"}},{"Complaint":{"total":"8","resolved":"8","allProgress":"0","progress30":"0","progress60":"0","progress":"0","ntbName":"7.3. Corruption"}},{"Complaint":{"total":"12","resolved":"10","allProgress":"2","progress30":"0","progress60":"0","progress":"2","ntbName":"7.4. Costly procedures"}},{"Complaint":{"total":"9","resolved":"8","allProgress":"1","progress30":"0","progress60":"0","progress":"1","ntbName":"7.5. Lengthy procedures"}},{"Complaint":{"total":"11","resolved":"11","allProgress":"0","progress30":"0","progress60":"0","progress":"0","ntbName":"7.6. Lack of information on procedures (or changes thereof)"}},{"Complaint":{"total":"4","resolved":"3","allProgress":"1","progress30":"0","progress60":"0","progress":"1","ntbName":"7.7. Complex variety of documentation required"}},{"Complaint":{"total":"12","resolved":"11","allProgress":"1","progress30":"0","progress60":"0","progress":"1","ntbName":"7.8. Consular and Immigration Issues"}},{"Complaint":{"total":"23","resolved":"22","allProgress":"1","progress30":"0","progress60":"0","progress":"1","ntbName":"7.9. Inadequate trade related infrastructure"}},{"Complaint":{"total":"5","resolved":"4","allProgress":"1","progress30":"0","progress60":"0","progress":"1","ntbName":"7.10. Other"}},{"Complaint":{"total":"23","resolved":"21","allProgress":"2","progress30":"0","progress60":"0","progress":"2","ntbName":"8.1. Government Policy and regulations"}},{"Complaint":{"total":"6","resolved":"4","allProgress":"2","progress30":"0","progress60":"0","progress":"2","ntbName":"8.2. Administrative (Border Operating hrs, delays, etc.)"}},{"Complaint":{"total":"3","resolved":"3","allProgress":"0","progress30":"0","progress60":"0","progress":"0","ntbName":"8.3. Immigration requirements (Visa, travel permit)"}},{"Complaint":{"total":"5","resolved":"5","allProgress":"0","progress30":"0","progress60":"0","progress":"0","ntbName":"8.4. Transport related corruption"}},{"Complaint":{"total":"5","resolved":"5","allProgress":"0","progress30":"0","progress60":"0","progress":"0","ntbName":"8.5. Infrastructure (Air, Port, Rail, Road, Border Posts,)"}},{"Complaint":{"total":"18","resolved":"15","allProgress":"3","progress30":"0","progress60":"0","progress":"3","ntbName":"8.6. Vehicle standards"}},{"Complaint":{"total":"49","resolved":"46","allProgress":"3","progress30":"0","progress60":"0","progress":"3","ntbName":"8.7. Costly Road user charges \/fees"}},{"Complaint":{"total":"45","resolved":"38","allProgress":"5","progress30":"0","progress60":"1","progress":"4","ntbName":"8.8. Issues related to transit"}}] {"ntbType":"NTB Type","resolved":"Resolved","unresolved60":"Unresolved (60 days+)","unresolved3060":"Unresolved (30 to 60 days)","unresolved30":"Unresolved (current)","hAxis":"Number of NTBs (complaints)"} Other Complaint statistics - 21 September 2023 /download.php Save chart

Non-Tariff Barriers

Reporting, Monitoring and Eliminating Mechanism