English
FrançaisComplaint
- Complaint number
- NTB-001-373
- NTB Type
- 2.6. Additional taxes and other charges
- Complaint
-
The Malawi Revenue Authority, through the New Customs and Excise Tax Measures for the 2026/2027 Financial year effective 27 February 2026, introduced import surcharges on various products including refined edible oils (10%), cane sugar (15%), sweets (20%), biscuits (20%), crisps (20%), vegetables (40%), chilli sauce (15%), beverages (15%), cement (30%), plastic household articles (20%), blankets (25%), polypropylene bags (20%), aluminium pots (15%), plastic furniture (20%), ballpoint pens (15%), among others, ostensibly to protect local industries.
The additional import surcharges increase the cost of Kenyan products entering Malawi, thereby eroding the Kenya COMESA preferential market access, reducing competitiveness of Kenyan exports.
Kenya and Malawi are both COMESA Member States. Kenyan products that meet COMESA Rules of Origin should enjoy preferential treatment. The imposition of protective import surcharges on products originating from COMESA Member States has the effect of nullifying or impairing tariff preferences and constitutes a measure equivalent to a non-tariff barrier, contrary to the principles of trade liberalisation and non-discrimination under the COMESA Treaty.
Kenya requests Malawi to:
1. Consider removing the import surcharges on COMESA-originating products
2. Restore full preferential treatment for eligible Kenyan products.
3. Engage Member States through COMESA before introducing trade-restrictive measures.
4. Ensure industrial protection measures are implemented in a manner consistent with COMESA obligations and do not undermine regional integration. - Progress update note
-
- Policy or regulatory NTB
- No
- Location
- Malawi: Malawi Revenue Authority (Government institution)
- Reporting Country or Region
- Kenya
- Country specific trade issue
- No
- Date of incident
- 2026-02-27
- Status
- New
- Product Description
-
Refined edible oils, cane sugar, sweets, biscuits, crisps, vegetables, chilli sauce, beverages, cement, plastic household products, blankets, packaging materials, aluminium pots, plastic furniture, ballpoint pens and other manufactured products exported by Kenya.
- Total value
- 0
- Date reported
- 2026-07-20 12:42
- Modified
- 2026-07-20 12:42
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