Active complaints

Showing items 1 to 20 of 125
Complaint number NTB Type
Category 1. Government participation in trade & restrictive practices tolerated by governments
Category 2. Customs and administrative entry procedures
Category 5. Specific limitations
Category 6. Charges on imports
Category 7. Other procedural problems
Category 8. Transport, Clearing and Forwarding
Check allUncheck all		 Date of incident Location
COMESA
EAC
SADC
Reporting country or region (additional)
COMESA
EAC
SADC
Status
 Actions
NTB-001-299 Congested Empty container Depots 2025-09-01 Kenya: Mombasa sea port EAC New View
Complaint: The Kenya Transporters Association (KTA) reports a critical and ongoing operational barrier at the Port of Mombasa: the systemic failure of shipping lines to repatriate empty containers, leading to severe congestion at their nominated Empty Container Depots (ECDs). As the legal owners of these containers, shipping lines are responsible for ensuring their designated depots can receive them. However, these facilities are now operating beyond capacity and are routinely turning away trucks, creating a landside bottleneck that paralyzes the logistics chain and nullifies the port's efficiency.

This failure has triggered a devastating cascade of consequences. Transporters' trucks and drivers are physically immobilized for days, unable to offload containers and redeploy for new cargo. This directly results in massive financial losses from lost revenue, skyrocketing operational costs (fuel, wages, parking), and the unjust threat of demurrage charges from the very shipping lines causing the delays. The immobilization of a significant portion of the trucking fleet disrupts national supply chains, harms the environment through unnecessary pollution from idling vehicles, and threatens the viability of transport businesses.

KTA places the responsibility for this crisis unequivocally on the shipping lines. Their failure stems from a fundamental neglect of their asset management and logistical duties, including the inadequate evacuation of containers and the poor management of their contracted depot infrastructure. This operational failure is now being unfairly transferred to transporters in the form of financial losses and penalties, a cost-shifting practice that is unacceptable and must be rectified immediately by the responsible parties. 		 
Products: 9801.00.45: - For motor vehicles for the transport of goods of heading 87.04, of a vehicle mass exceeding 2 000 kg or a G.V.M. exceeding 3 500 kg, or of a mass exceeding 1 600 kg and of a G.V.M. exceeding 3 500 kg per chassis fitted with a cab (excluding shuttle cars  
NTB-001-298 7.6. Lack of information on procedures (or changes thereof) 2025-03-14 Zambia: Kazungula Ferry Botswana New View
Complaint: On the 14th of March 2025 i encountered challenges when crossing to Zambia for business purposes. The immigration officer at the border enquired on the purpose of my visit to Zambia and i informed her that i was travelling for business and requested for a Business Visit (BV) stamp. The officer indicated that BV is only used when someone is travelling to Zambia to sell not to buy as i had intended to go and purchase sweet potatoes. I informed her that we had previously had challenges with law enforcement officers as they insist that whoever is coming to Zambia for business purposes should have a BV stamp not visitors stamp. The officer solicited a bribe amounting to BWP500.00 in order to give me the BV stamp. This contraction of information between immigration officers and the police officers in Zambia cost us as traders lots of money as well as time. It also compromises our safety when we go to Zambia  
Products: 0714.20: Sweet potatoes, fresh, chilled, frozen or dried, whether or not sliced or in the form of pellets  
NTB-001-296 2.7. International taxes and charges levied on imports and other tariff measures 2024-07-30 Madagascar: Mauritius New View
Complaint: Madagascar has imposed a duty of 24% on imports of cartons which it referred to as a 'safeguard duty'. However, Mauritius is of the view that the duty cannot be considered as a safeguard duty given that Madagascar has not taken binding commitment on these products at WTO level. It has simply imposed duties on these products including on the SADC and COMESA Member States. It is violating its regional market access commitments.
Mauritius has requested bilateral consultations with Madagascar on this issue and is still awaiting same. 		 
NTB-001-295 2.6. Additional taxes and other charges 2025-10-20 Uganda: Malaba Eswatini In process View
Complaint: We have COMESA certificate but Uganda is not accepting, they are charging import duty 36% instead of 6%. we are making big losses due to import duty  
Progress: 1. After receiving the NTB, the Secretariat followed up with Uganda National Focal Points, who confirmed that they were engaging with the Uganda Revenue Authority on the matter.  
NTB-001-294 1.14. Lack of coordination between government institutions 2025-10-28 Botswana: Tlokweng Gate Botswana New View
Complaint: BOBS Division Closing their service times during Holidays, weekends and festive days while Cross-border traders and Borders run through out. We urge that there be service aligned with all borders operating times and services. Consignments are then detained until their working times. we then loose revenue, standing times, conditions or goods be affected and further be exposed to risks.  
NTB-001-293 2.4. Import licensing 2025-10-12 Botswana: Ministry of Lands and Agriculture Botswana New View
Complaint: Our company is unable to be productive in our business due to shortage of chick supply in the market, caused by delays by the Government (Ministry of Lands and Agriculture) to approve us to import chicks and fertilized eggs for broiler farming.  
NTB-001-292 2.6. Additional taxes and other charges 2025-07-01 Kenya: Mombasa sea port Egypt New View
Complaint: It has been revealed that Kenya imposed a new duty called “Export and Investment Promotion Levy” as of the beginning of July 2025 on several imports, including some steel products on which duties were imposed at a value of 17.5% of the customs value on all exporting countries without exception for customs items 7213 and 7214, even if they were from partner countries such as Egypt, which The COMESA privileges are effectively emptied of their content on the ground upon application and actually lead to raising the total cost of the Egyptian product and undermining the customs exemption privilege granted under the agreement. (Attached is the relevant document, which was issued on June 27, 2025)
These fees come under names such as “market regulation fees” or “infrastructure development fees,” and are used as an indirect tool to limit the price competitiveness of Egyptian products, which practically means that the Egyptian product has begun to incur the same financial burdens imposed on imports from China, Turkey, and others.
It should be noted that Egypt's exports of rebar and iron coils to Kenya during the first half of 2025 amounted to approximately 60 thousand tons, according to data from the General Authority for Export and Import Control, which reflects the importance of the Kenyan market as one of the vital African markets, and highlights the direct impact of these duties on the movement of Egyptian exports.
These measures represent a direct threat to the ability of Egyptian exports to competitively access the markets of member states, and also weaken the effectiveness of the regional agreements that Egypt is striving to activate in order to support intra-trade on the African continent, at the heart of which is the COMESA Agreement.
Accordingly, the relevant authorities in Kenya, to ensure adherence to the signed commitments, and to safeguard the rights of Egypt and its exporters under the agreement 		 
NTB-001-291 1.2. Government monopoly in export/import 2025-01-01 South Sudan: South Sudan Revenue Authority Kenya New View
Complaint: Double Taxation: Traders are required to pay taxes in both USD at the point of loading and South Sudanese Pounds (SSP) at the entry point. This is contrary to WTO/International Chamber of commerce global trade facilitation norms and other incoterms. It is untenable to calculate taxes using two different currencies.  
NTB-001-290 2.3. Issues related to the rules of origin 2025-01-01 South Sudan: South Sudan Revenue Authority Kenya New View
Complaint: Non-recognition of EAC Certificates of Origin: Despite South Sudan’s membership in the East African Community (EAC), goods are taxed as if they originate from outside the region, such as Asia or Europe. The East African Community Customs Management Act (EACCMA) is not fully recognized, even though it provides guidance and reference. Instead, sections of the East African Community Regulation are selectively used for matters related to the Electronic Cargo Tracking device, with the Community service provider enforcing the new tax collection requirements.  
NTB-001-289 1.7. Discriminatory or flawed government procurement policies 2025-06-20 Rwanda: Rwanda Revenue Authority Kenya New View
Complaint: Rwanda has introduced a 39% excise duty on juice products manufactured in Kenya and transferred into Rwanda. The excise subjected to Kenya juice is a charge on import. EAC is a local market, additionally, as stipulated in its financial Act of 2025.This measure is in contravention of the East African Community (EAC) Common Market Protocol, which seeks to promote the free movement of goods among member states. The imposition of this duty not only disrupts intra- regional trade and delays business operations but also undermines the spirit of regional and economical cooperation within the EAC.  
NTB-001-288 1.7. Discriminatory or flawed government procurement policies 2025-08-20 Tanzania: TRA Kenya New View
Complaint: URT imposition of discriminative Excise Duty on Unilever Soaps, detergents and bleaches -10%; Industrial Development Levy-5-15%
VAT Rate-18%
Impact to business
• Increased production costs due to excise and industrial levies.
• Reduced competitiveness against imported products, especially if inputs are taxed.
• Pressure on pricing, potentially leading to higher consumer prices or reduced margins.
Limited relief for manufacturers despite EAC integration goals.
  
NTB-001-287 2.6. Additional taxes and other charges 2025-09-04 Tanzania: TRA Kenya New View
Complaint: URT denial of the preferential treatment to blankets that have been manufactured in Kenya and instead subjecting the blankets to full CET of 25% duty on the blankets transferred from Kenya into URT by Spinner and Spinners LTD with reason that the company is benefitting from DRS. The raw material used in the manufacture of the blankets is EAC wide remission on HS Code 5402.33.00 as a regionally eligible code under the DRS. The affected consignment is Assessment Ref: TRA Namanga, Entry Ref. 158254115-25-9900817 subjecting to 25% duty. This creates an unfair trade barrier, distorts competition, and frustrates intra-EAC trade integration goals.

URT to grant preferential treatment to blankets enjoying regional DRS
  
NTB-001-286 5.10. Prohibitions 2025-05-23 Tanzania: TBS Kenya New View
Complaint: Tanzania ban of Kenya juice products with Sugar and Nonnutritive sweetener combination. Kenya products are being seized from retail customer outlets.

This restriction of market access is going against the spirit of the SQMT Act as the products has the KEBS standardization Mark manufactured using the EAC harmonised standard that allows for sugar reduced drinks. 		 
NTB-001-285 1.7. Discriminatory or flawed government procurement policies 2025-07-01 Tanzania: TRA Kenya New View
Complaint: The Tanzania government imposed a 10% Discriminatory Levies: Industrial Development Levy
excise duty on Road tractor for semi-trailers transferred/exported by Kenya into Tanzania, violating the principles of the EAC Protocal article 15 & 75 and creating an unfair competitive environment. This tax favours local Tanzania producers/assemblers of whom do not pay the 10% Industrial Development Levy, further distorting the market.
Road tractor for semi-trailers 10% for HS
8701.21.90
8701.22.90
8701.23.90
8701.24.90
8701.29.90
  
NTB-001-284 1.7. Discriminatory or flawed government procurement policies 2025-07-01 Tanzania: TRA Kenya New View
Complaint: The Tanzania government imposed a 10% excise duty on soap detergents transferred/exported by Kenya into Tanzania, violating the principles of the EAC Protocal article 15 & 75 and creating an unfair competitive environment. This tax favours local Tanzania producers of whom do not pay the 10% excise duties, further distorting the market.
3401.11.00 Soap and
detergents 10%
3401.19.00 Soap and
detergents 10%
3402.50.00 Soap and
detergents 10%
3402.90.00 Soap and
detergents 10% 		 
NTB-001-283 1.7. Discriminatory or flawed government procurement policies 2025-07-07 Tanzania: TRA Kenya New View
Complaint: Tanzania imposition of discriminatory EXCISE DUTY OF TZS 400/KG on exports/Transfers that hinders ON SAFETY MATCHES export from Kenya into Tanzania. The same is not subjecting to SAFETY MATCHES manufactured in Tanzania.  
NTB-001-282 1.7. Discriminatory or flawed government procurement policies 2025-05-13 Tanzania: Dar es salaam City Council Kenya New View
Complaint: Tanzania imposition of multiple road toll charges at the border, Dar Esalaam City Council on exports/Transfers that hinders ice cream, Chocolate etc exported from Kenya into Tanzania.  
NTB-001-281 1.7. Discriminatory or flawed government procurement policies 2025-08-08 Tanzania: TRA Kenya New View
Complaint: Tanzania imposition of discriminatory Excise Duty on exports/Transfers that hinders Chocolate export from Kenya into Tanzania. The same is not subjecting to chocolate manufactured in Tanzania  
NTB-001-279 1.7. Discriminatory or flawed government procurement policies 2025-05-19 Tanzania: Tanzania Dairy Board Kenya New View
Complaint: Tanzania Dairy Board discriminatively charging 1.75% F.O.B value of on Kenya dairy produce on Pasteurized whole
Milk, Skimmed, Condensed, Yoghurt, ice cream and Powdered milk.

TDB is violating the Article 15 of the EAC Custom Union Protocol on national treatment. Same treatment as Tanzanian products in terms of charges. 		 
NTB-001-276 VAT Refunds 2020-08-03 South Africa: South African Revenue Services Botswana New View
Complaint: Business Botswana has received from seven (7) of its member companies (see attached list) with concerns regarding delays in claiming VAT refunds from the South African Revenue Service (SARS). These companies have collectively reported that they are owed a total of R51,838,696.82in VAT refunds, dating as far back as 2020 to August 2024. The core issues involve prolonged processing times, document rejections without the ability to resubmit, and tight deadlines for compiling and submitting the required paperwork.  
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