Non-Tariff Barriers

Complaint

Complaint number

NTB-000-783  

NTB Type

2.8. Lengthy and costly customs clearance procedures  

Complaint

Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA) is not adhering to their new procedure for handling transit cargo thereby causing serious delays in clearance of trucks at the Beitbridge border post.
Truckers are experiencing serious delays because ZIMRA is not adhering to the procedure it stipulated in its communication documents. ALL transit cargo is being fitted with seals, despite the cargo already being sealed by client at loading point. Communication from drivers indicated that, currently only 5 trucks being sealed per day.
Trucks then going onto a "list" for transit escort. This is despite the official communication stipulating that ONLY trucks carrying cargo that is not covered by a suitable tent/tarpaulin that cannot be sealed will be considered by authorities to be escorted.
Truck is a tautliner and thus can be sealed yet driver has been informed it needs to be escorted, and he was informed that 5 trucks per day are escorted to Chirundu. Currently he is number 48 in the "list". This goes against what was communicated in ZIMRA informational document.
Our trucks have Route Risk Assessment done prior for the reasons stated by another complainant, yet ZIMRA wants to dictate which roads and routes to use. This procedure is causing unnecessary delays at the border.  

Status note

On 22nd August 2019, the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority Head of Technical services advised that not all transit cargo is being selected for Electronic Cargo Tracking, but only cargo that is selected as hig risk transit cargo through the use of ZIMRA automated risk management engine. Beitbridge is sealing in excess of 50 of the over 300 transit trucks cleared on a daily basis which is selected by the automated risk management engine. On implementation of Electronic Cargo Tracking System high risk transit cargo that could not be electronically sealed was escorted through Zimbabwe, however, adequate electronic tracking seals have now been procured to facilitate the sealing of all highrisk transit cargo as selected by the risk management engine. As of August 2019, no escort are being done unless there is a specific need. The drivers are at liberty to select their designated route to be followed as they transverse Zimbabwe by completing a Route Declaration Form.

This NTB arose due to challenges faced on implementation of the electronic cargo tracking system in Zimbabwe, through stakeholder engagement and dialogue implementation challenges were resolved. Therefore this NTB has been resolved .  

Progress update note

 

Policy or regulatory NTB

No 

Location

Zimbabwe: Beitbridge (Border post)  

Reporting Country or Region

South Africa  

Country specific trade issue

No  

Date of incident

2017-09-19  

Status

Resolved  

Date of resolution

2019-09-09  

Product Description

All products

Computer-assisted translation

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Total value

R300 000.00  

Date reported

2017-09-20 15:13  

Modified

2019-09-10 10:23