Non-Tariff Barriers

Complaint

Complaint number

NTB-000-821  

NTB Type

6.5. Variable levies  

Complaint

On 20th and 21st February 2017, Zimbabwean and Kenyan companies involved in distribution of tilapia into Zambia reported that the Government of Zambia had enacted the Customs and Excise Amendment Act number 47 of 2016 effective 1 January 2017.The amendment imposes a surtax of 5% on all imported goods that are produced or manufactured in Zambia. The surtax was meant to encourage local sourcing of inputs for the manufacturing sector in order to reduce the cost of production.  

Status note

Zambia and Kenya held a bilateral meeting during the 5th TFTA focal points meeting held in Nairobi in August, 2019. Zambia informed Kenya that the measure is under review and has also affected domestic companies and therefore does not violate the national treatment principle. Thus it should not be reported as an NTB.  

Progress update note

During the 33rd meeting of the COMESA Customs and Trade Committee, it was noted that Zambia private sector had lobbied for imposition of surtax on locally produced inputs, however there was a blanket application of the surtax covering inputs not locally produced and finished products as a way of raising revenue for the government.  

Policy or regulatory NTB

Yes 

Location

Zambia: Zambia Revenue Authority (Government institution)  

Reporting Country or Region

Kenya  

Country specific trade issue

No  

Date of incident

2017-02-21  

Status

Resolved  

Date of resolution

2019-08-21  

Product Description

Fish, Tilapia

Computer-assisted translation

• English
• Arabic
• French
• Portuguese

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Total value

0  

Date reported

2018-06-11 11:51  

Modified

2020-03-18 13:51