Non-Tariff Barriers :: Complaints

Active complaints

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Complaint number	NTB Type Category 1. Government participation in trade & restrictive practices tolerated by governments 1.1. Export subsidies 1.2. Government monopoly in export/import 1.3. State subsidies, procurement, trading, state ownership 1.4. Preference given to domestic bidders/suppliers 1.5. Requirement for counter trade 1.6. Domestic assistance programmes for companies 1.7. Discriminatory or flawed government procurement policies 1.8. Import bans 1.9. Determination of eligibility of an exporting country by the importing country 1.10. Determination of eligibility of an exporting establishment (firm, company) by the importing country 1.11. Occupational safety and health regulation 1.12. Multiplicity and Controls of Foreign exchange market 1.13. "Buy national" policy 1.14. Lack of coordination between government institutions 1.15. Other Category 2. Customs and administrative entry procedures 2.1. Government imposing antidumping duties 2.2. Arbitrary customs classification 2.3. Issues related to the rules of origin 2.4. Import licensing 2.5. Decreed customs surcharges 2.6. Additional taxes and other charges 2.7. International taxes and charges levied on imports and other tariff measures 2.8. Lengthy and costly customs clearance procedures 2.9. Issues related to transit fees 2.10. Inadequate or unreasonable customs procedures and charges 2.11. Lack of control in Customs infrastructure 2.12. Lack of capacity of Customs officers 2.13. Issues related to Pre-Shipment Inspections 2.14. Other Category 3. Technical barriers to trade (TBT) Category 4. Sanitary & phyto-sanitary (SPS) measures Category 5. Specific limitations 5.1. Quantitative restrictions 5.2. Exchange controls 5.3. Export taxes 5.4. Quotas 5.5. Import licensing requirements 5.6. Proportion restrictions of foreign to domestic goods (local content requirement) 5.7. Minimum import price limits 5.8. Embargoes 5.9. Non-automatic licensing 5.10. Prohibitions 5.11. Quantitative safeguard measures 5.12. Export restraint arrangements 5.13. Other quantity control measures 5.14. Restrictive licenses 5.15. Other Category 6. Charges on imports 6.1. Prior import deposits and subsidies 6.2. Administrative fees 6.3. Special supplementary duties 6.4. Import credit discriminations 6.5. Variable levies 6.6. Border taxes 6.7. Other Category 7. Other procedural problems 7.1. Arbitrariness 7.2. Discrimination 7.3. Corruption 7.4. Costly procedures 7.5. Lengthy procedures 7.6. Lack of information on procedures (or changes thereof) 7.7. Complex variety of documentation required 7.8. Consular and Immigration Issues 7.9. Inadequate trade related infrastructure 7.10. Other Category 8. Transport, Clearing and Forwarding 8.1. Government Policy and regulations 8.2. Administrative (Border Operating Hours, delays at border posts, etc.) 8.3. Immigration requirements (Visa, travel permit) 8.4. Transport related corruption 8.5. Infrastructure (Air, Port, Rail, Road, Border Posts,) 8.6. Vehicle standards 8.7. Costly Road user charges /fees 8.8. Issues related to transit Other Policy or Regulatory NTB Not a policy or regulatory NTB Check allUncheck all	Date of incident	Location COMESA Burundi Comoros Democratic Republic of the Congo Djibouti Egypt Eritrea Eswatini Ethiopia Kenya Libya Madagascar Malawi Mauritius Rwanda Seychelles Somalia Sudan Tunisia Uganda Zambia Zimbabwe EAC Burundi Democratic Republic of the Congo Kenya Rwanda Somalia South Sudan Tanzania Uganda SADC Angola Botswana Comoros Democratic Republic of the Congo Eswatini Lesotho Madagascar Malawi Mauritius Mozambique Namibia Seychelles South Africa Tanzania Zambia Zimbabwe COMESA EAC SADC	Reporting country or region (additional) COMESA Burundi Comoros Democratic Republic of the Congo Djibouti Egypt Eritrea Eswatini Ethiopia Kenya Libya Madagascar Malawi Mauritius Rwanda Seychelles Somalia Sudan Tunisia Uganda Zambia Zimbabwe EAC Burundi Democratic Republic of the Congo Kenya Rwanda Somalia South Sudan Tanzania Uganda SADC Angola Botswana Comoros Democratic Republic of the Congo Eswatini Lesotho Madagascar Malawi Mauritius Mozambique Namibia Seychelles South Africa Tanzania Zambia Zimbabwe COMESA EAC SADC	Status New Complaint registered with REC In process Resolved Non-actionable	Actions
NTB-001-250	1.8. Import bans	2022-01-06	Tanzania: Cereals and Crops Regulatory Authority		New	View
Complaint:	The Director General Cereals and Mixed Crops Regulatory Authority (CPRA) informed the public that no permits for exporting maize and rice would be issued before the completion of a certain assessment. Traders and stakeholders were advised to wait until the evaluation was completed. The issuance of epermits was to resume after 1 May 2025, and applications submitted before that date would not be processed or approved. On 30th April 2025, an extension was announced. We request that there be non-discriminatory treatment for rice,grain and other crops from Uganda from Uganda during this assessment
NTB-001-249	6.5. Variable levies	2025-02-04	Kenya: KRA	Uganda	New	View
Complaint:	Excise duty being charged on onions, potatoes, potato crisps and potato chips transferred from Uganda to Kenya. This means they are being treated as imports. This was effective 1st July 2022, at a rate of 25% imposed against the EAC CUP. Kenya is requested to consider removing the excise duty with immediate effect
NTB-001-247	6.2. Administrative fees	2018-01-03	Tanzania: Diary board,Ministry of Agriculture,Atomic Council		New	View
Complaint:	Multiple requirements and fees upon transfer of milk into Tanzania. These are; (a) Charges of T. Shs. 2,000 per Kg of milk transfers by the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries of Tanzania (b) 1% FOB by Tanzania Dairy Board plus Tsh. 30,000 as application fees (c) The Tanzania Atomic Energy Commission charges 0.4 % FOB
NTB-001-245	6.2. Administrative fees	2025-04-01	Democratic Republic of the Congo: From Goli through Mahagi to Kisangani on the DRC side		New	View
Complaint:	A review of the route from Goli through Mahagi to Kisangani on the DRC side revealed 24 Roadblocks. The traders reported that they pay 300 dollars per roadblock; we wouldn't pick evidence of this payment because its illegal
NTB-001-244	6.5. Variable levies	2020-10-13	Uganda: URA	Kenya	New	View
Complaint:	Uganda is subjecting Kenya manufacture furniture to discriminative excise duty of 20% that it is not subjected to Uganda manufactured furniture. Uganda is requested to remove the discriminative excise taxes on Kenya furniture transferred to Uganda as it is prohibited in the EAC Customs Union Protocol; Articles 1 and 75 (6) of the Treaty as well as Articles 15 (1) (a) and (2) of the Customs Union Protocol on National Treatment, and Article 6 (1) of the Common Market Protocol of the Community Laws. The charges are also in violation of Article 10 of the Custom Union Protocol that obligates Partner States to remove all internal tariffs and other charges of equivalent effect.
NTB-001-243	2.4. Import licensing Policy/Regulatory	2025-04-16	Kenya: Busia	Uganda	In process	View
Complaint:	Kenya charges a discriminatory excise duty of 10% on fish transferred from Uganda, but does not charge excise duty on fish in Kenya. This means fish transferred from Uganda is being treated as an import, which is against the CUP. Kenya also charges an additional 5% levy on fish.
NTB-001-242	6.5. Variable levies	2024-12-27	Kenya: Ministry of Finance	Tanzania	New	View
Complaint:	Through, the Tax Laws (Amendment) Act, 2024 of Kenya passed on 11 December 2024 and came into force on 27 December 2024, the Government of Kenya, among other things, introduced excise duty on various products such as marble, transformers, float glass, coal imported from outside Kenya including East African Community countries. Also, has increased the valuation rates in calculating tax on tiles when they are sold in the country. These challenges have affected production due to the decline in the market for the products in Kenya caused by competition after the prices of the products in question became high
NTB-001-241	7.6. Lack of information on procedures (or changes thereof)	2025-03-06	Kenya:		New	View
Complaint:	Tanzania Revenue Authority officers do not seem to have RECTS seals, therefore, demanding for facilitation from transporters. The facilitation includes, Per diem, incidental allowance, in transit allowance and fuel for the government vehicles.
Products:	6117.90: Parts of garments or clothing accessories, knitted or crocheted, n.e.s.
NTB-001-240	1.1. Export subsidies	2024-11-01	Kenya: Kenya Diary Board (KDB)	Uganda	New	View
Complaint:	The Government of Kenya, through the Kenya Dairy Board (KDB), has not issued export permits for Ultra-High Temperature (UHT) milk destined for Kenya since November 2024. This action constitutes a violation of the East African Community (EAC) Common Market Protocol and the Non-Tariff Barrier (NTB) Act, which is designed to facilitate the free movement of goods within the region. The continued restriction has had severe consequences for Ugandan traders, leading to significant financial losses and, in many cases, the closure of their export businesses. This situation not only undermines regional trade commitments but also disrupts economic integration efforts within the EAC.
NTB-001-238	1.11. Occupational safety and health regulation	2025-02-16	South Africa: Beit Bridge	Zimbabwe	New	View
Complaint:	Our delivery truck (ADS 3378, AFQ 8744, AFQ 8746) destined for South Africa was detained at Beitbridge border post last night by South Africa Port Health authorities due to concerns regarding a cholera outbreak in Zimbabwe and the potential risk of contamination in the water.
NTB-001-234	2.2. Arbitrary customs classification	2025-01-20	Botswana: Tlokweng Gate	South Africa	In process	View
Complaint:	We are a small female-owned company based in Gaborone, Botswana that manufactures small leather goods, mostly for corporates, government and individuals. Our team consists of 5 female employees with 4 full time and 1 on contractual basis. We import our raw material (which is mostly finished leather) from South Africa. We have been importing our material since 2019, however, since 2021 we have been facing a challenge of our raw materials being misclassified. we import finished leather products which is not subjected to Veterinary requirements since it is a finished product. However, we are subjected to go through veterinary regulations which causes delays and confusions on the applicable regulations. We request the proper application of regulations be applied when dealing with our product. The veterinary processes must be done away if there are not applicable. Our company imports material about 3 times a month from South Africa, with a total average of 3200 dm of finished leather.
Products:	4113.20: Leather further prepared after tanning or crusting "incl. parchment-dressed leather", of pigs, without hair on, whether or not split (excl. chamois leather, patent leather and patent laminated leather, and metallised leather)
NTB-001-232	2.6. Additional taxes and other charges	2025-01-23	Tanzania: Tanzania Revenue Authority	Rwanda	New	View
Complaint:	Refusing to grant Preferential Tariff Treatment on Fridges and Freezers.The United Republic of Tanzania denied Preferential Tariff Treatment to Rwandan fridges and freezers manufactured by ALMAHA INDUSTRY CO. LTD, in Rwanda, despite the EAC Customs Management Act and Legal Notice No. EAC/287/2024 offers a 10% import duty remission under regional preferential tariff treatment. Thus, all EAC Partner States are obliged to allow preferential tariff treatment for these products
NTB-001-231	2.6. Additional taxes and other charges	2024-12-12	EAC	Rwanda	New	View
Complaint:	Illegal fees on Rwandan nationals crossing into Tanzania more than three times a month.$100 is charged on Rwandan nationals crossing into Tanzania more than three times a month, this was identified by the Central Corridor Team during a survey from Rusumo to Dar es Salaam port.
NTB-001-230	6.2. Administrative fees	2024-11-28	Tanzania: Ngara District Council	Rwanda	New	View
Complaint:	Tanzania charged 100,000Tsh on trucks transporting agricultural products from Kahama and Ngara District to Rwanda, and this is not fair for goods in transit.
NTB-001-229	1.14. Lack of coordination between government institutions	2025-01-16	Madagascar: other	Tunisia	New	View
Complaint:	The Tunisian company "Société des Boissons du Cap Bon" has entered into a partnership with a Madagascan distributor, "4 Seasons", represented by Mrs. Safa Hamdi, for the distribution of its products, in particular juices, soft drinks and cheeses. The Tunisian company agreed to an annual forecast of 12 to 15 containers and in return granted the distributor exclusive rights to distribute its products on the Madagascan market. The Tunisian company began working with this distributor with a first shipment on March 23, 2024, consisting of a total of four containers: three of juice and one of cheese. Attached are photos of the "Délice" brand products distributed by 4 Seasons in gas stations, supermarkets and traditional markets. Our distributor has also made considerable efforts to promote the products through sponsorship campaigns, urban billboards and a strong digital presence, demonstrating its commitment. However, the Tunisian company encountered a problem: a company called IBC, which we understand is in the construction business and is neither a distributor nor a juice producer, registered the "Délice" brand in Madagascar under the name "Délice de Fruit" using our logo. It has since contacted the distributor of the Tunisian brand to try to persuade it to work with IBC using its trademark registration. It should be noted that the "Délide de Fruits" trademark has been registered with the African Intellectual Property Organization (OAPI) since December 2022 and with the National Institute for Standardization and Industrial Property (INNORPI) since 2006, 2019 and 2022 (all documents are attached).
NTB-001-228	2.8. Lengthy and costly customs clearance procedures	2025-01-16	Tanzania: Tanzania Revenue Authority Ministry of Minerals	Zambia	New	View
Complaint:	Tanzania Revenue Authority has introduced a new system for copper imports whereby the Ministry of Minerals must stamp the export permit. Only once this is done can the assessment be completed and the vehicles cross the border (Nakonde/Tunduma) to Tanzania. Once the vehicle is on the Tanzania side, the Ministry of Minerals must stamp the assessment. After the assessment is stamped, it must be scanned to the TRA HQ in Dar es Salaam for approval. The Approval is then scanned back to the border, and the T1 can be generated and the vehicles cleared for movement. This is time-consuming and leads to further congestion at this border post, where containerised cargo to Zambia takes a fortnight to cross between Tunduma and Nakonde.
NTB-001-226	1.1. Export subsidies	2024-11-20	Lesotho: Maseru Bridge	Lesotho	New	View
Complaint:	Samples being sent by road-freight to South Africa for testing at an accredited laboratory were refused passage. Company was informed that the only way to send the samples for testing was to send via air. The challenges are that bulk orders do not fit on an Airlink flight and therefore would require a specific mode of chartered transport .This increases costs significantly and could potentially be the cause that orders are cancelled
NTB-001-225	5.3. Export taxes	2024-12-28	Uganda: Malaba	Uganda	New	View
Complaint:	The Kenyan government has violated the East African Community trade agreement and has begun to impose consumption taxes on products from other East African Community countries.
NTB-001-224	2.8. Lengthy and costly customs clearance procedures	2024-11-22	South Africa: South African Revenue Authority	Mauritius	New	View
Complaint:	Mauritius Customs is unable to accept the SADC Certificate ZA PQ 56085 issued by Customs in South Africa due to missing of specimen signature at their level. The Mauritius Customs sent a request to RSA Customs to get a confirmation of the signature .Up to date they have not yet received any reply.
NTB-001-222	8.8. Issues related to transit	2024-12-06	Zimbabwe: Beitbridge	South Africa	New	View
Complaint:	When submitting invoices to declare goods transiting through Zimbabwe (RIT) for import into Malawi, it was brought to our attention that Zimbabwe requires an Ozone Depleting Substances permit (ODS) for air conditioners, refrigeration units and parts thereof which comes at an exorbitant cost. These are transit goods through Zimbabwe and not fully functional at the time until they are assembled within the importing country therefore it is our understanding that no permit would be required in Zimbabwe .

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