| Complaint number |
NTB Type
|
Date of incident |
Location |
Reporting country or region (additional) |
Status |
Actions |
|
NTB-001-248 |
8.2. Administrative (Border Operating Hours, delays at border posts, etc.) |
2024-11-01 |
Kenya: Diary board |
Uganda |
Resolved
2025-05-30 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Delays in issuance of import permits for milk
Permits take up to 5 months with no communication |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
The meeting noted that the NTB issue had been resolved.
Uganda requested Kenya to fast-track the issuance of milk import permits. Kenya is committed to issuing permits timely manner |
|
|
NTB-001-249 |
6.5. Variable levies |
2025-02-04 |
Kenya: KRA |
Uganda |
Resolved
2025-11-25 |
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 |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
Uganda submitted that the discriminatory Law was repealed through the Finance amendment Act of 2025. |
|
|
NTB-001-250 |
1.8. Import bans |
2022-01-06 |
Tanzania: CPRA |
Uganda |
Resolved
2025-08-07 |
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 |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
On 7 August 2025, the Focal for Tanzania reported that this matter was discussed and resolved during the 38 RMC in Nairobi |
|
|
NTB-001-229 |
1.14. Lack of coordination between government institutions |
2025-01-16 |
Madagascar: other |
Tunisia |
Resolved
2026-05-18 |
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). |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
The importer successfully cleared their goods under the preferential tariff framework. The electronically issued Certificate of Origin (No. 0170186, dated April 15, 2026) was ultimately accepted and validated by the Tunisian customs authorities. |
|
|
NTB-000-149 |
2.8. Lengthy and costly customs clearance procedures |
2009-07-27 |
Tanzania: Tanzania Revenue Authority |
Tanzania |
Resolved
2011-07-28 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Despite efforts to improve the situation, customs procedures in Tanzania are cumbersome. In most cases, depending on the type of product, there is a long verification chain that involves many steps and numerous documents have to be handled/exchanged in the process of importing. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
Tanzania Revenue Authority reported that all customs documentation are now obtained and processed online. Traders engage Clearing Agents for clearing goods who obtain all documents online. |
|
|
NTB-000-154 |
2.8. Lengthy and costly customs clearance procedures |
2009-07-27 |
Tanzania: Tanzania Bureau of Standards |
Tanzania |
Resolved
2011-07-28 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Delays and high cost of screening honey. Tanzania Bureau of Standards takes from 3 to 4 weeks with constant follow up; 20 items are screened on payment of T50,000/- |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
Tanzania Bureau of Standards reported that there is some improvement on the dwell time at TBS Test house. There has been an influx of samples in the food sector which has resulted in companies having to wait for maximum 1-2 weeks. The current capacity of the conformity infrastructure (soft and hard), has necessitated that TBS Laboratory applies a first come first attended procedure. TBS encourages the business community not to wait until the last hour before they lodge their enquiry.
2. The cost of conducting an analysis is determined by the type of analysis to be conducted and therefore the cost of the reagents which goes up with time. Example, the current (2011) analysis cost for Honey is 160,000.00Tanzanian Shillings per sample. |
|
|
NTB-000-156 |
7.9. Inadequate trade related infrastructure |
2009-07-27 |
Tanzania: Along major highways |
Tanzania |
Resolved
2012-06-15 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Weighing equipment in some stations is sometimes faulty, meaning that even when a truck has a proper seal, weight readings at different stations vary. Also, there are numerous stations along the major highways, which do not respect seals even when it is clear that such seals have not been tempered with. The most notorious stations are along Moshi and Kibaha on Nairobi-Dar-es-salaam highway. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
The 10th meeting of SADC Committee on Trade Facilitation accepted Tanzania's explaination that problem arose due to packaging and loading of containers at the port. If containers are not properly packed, goods move while on transit and affect weigh on an axle. Distribution of weight on an axle may be correct at point of departure, but after some distance, it may change as cargo moves. Since weighing is on axles not cargo, different numbers may be recorded at
a weigh bridge. It was reported that sensitization was already being undertaken to alert traders to reduce the possibility of movement of goods inside containers while in transit by packing properly. The meeting therefore agreed to consider the NTB resolved. |
|
|
NTB-000-158 |
1.1. Export subsidies
A82: Testing requirement |
2009-07-27 |
Tanzania: Ministry of Agriculture |
Tanzania |
Resolved
2016-05-18 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Cumbersome procedures for , SPS certificates and the permits.The Ministry utilitises its own laboratories in Dar es Salaam with support from Tropical Pesticide Research Institute in Arusha which takes even more time. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
The procedures are being streamlined |
|
|
NTB-000-159 |
4.1. Issues related to sanitary and phyto-sanitary measures
A83: Certification requirement |
2009-07-27 |
Tanzania: Ministry of Health |
Tanzania |
Resolved
2011-08-30 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Cumbersome certification procedures for certification of milk inputs.Certification officers are based in Dar es Salaam and going to Tunduma for verification is very cumbersome |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
Tanzania Revenue Authority reported that TRA does random physical verification as part of risk management analysis before clearing mainly on textiles motor vehicles. |
|
|
NTB-000-160 |
1.1. Export subsidies
A82: Testing requirement |
2009-07-27 |
Tanzania: Tanzania Bureau of Standards |
Tanzania |
Resolved
2011-08-28 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Exports go through unnecessary, onerous and costly testing and documentation procedures, since the TBS, TFDA, Ministry of Health and Tanzania atomic energy authority each have to issue export certification on every export consignment. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
Tanzania Revenue Authority reported that TRA does random physical verification as part of risk management analysis before clearing and this is done mainly on textiles motor vehicles. |
|
|
NTB-000-160 |
1.1. Export subsidies
A82: Testing requirement |
2009-07-27 |
Tanzania: Tanzania Bureau of Standards |
Tanzania |
Resolved
2011-08-28 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Exports go through unnecessary, onerous and costly testing and documentation procedures, since the TBS, TFDA, Ministry of Health and Tanzania atomic energy authority each have to issue export certification on every export consignment. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
Tanzania reported that Tanzania Institutions have been established and governed by Laws. The process of establishing Testing procedures under one roof is underway. |
|
|
NTB-000-160 |
1.1. Export subsidies
A82: Testing requirement |
2009-07-27 |
Tanzania: Tanzania Bureau of Standards |
Tanzania |
Resolved
2011-08-28 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Exports go through unnecessary, onerous and costly testing and documentation procedures, since the TBS, TFDA, Ministry of Health and Tanzania atomic energy authority each have to issue export certification on every export consignment. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
Tanzania reported that Tanzania Institutions have been established and governed by Laws. The process of establishing Testing procedures under one roof is underway. Tanzania Revenue Authority reported that TRA does random physical verification as part of risk management analysis before clearing and this is done mainly on textiles motor vehicles. |
|
|
NTB-000-161 |
7.4. Costly procedures |
2009-07-27 |
Tanzania: Ministry of Trade |
Tanzania |
Resolved
2016-06-15 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
A number of non-tariff fees are levied on agricultural and manufactured products. Examples are: inspection fees, Warehousing fees; Air Cargo levy; Agricultural Cess, Livestock Marketing Cess, landing and parking fees, seaman's levy and farm support fees. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
The SADC Sub Committee on Trade facilitation carried out a review of long standing NTBs and found out that the various fees identified above, i.e. inspection fees, warehousing fees; air cargo levy; agricultural cess, livestock marketing cess, landing and parking fees, seaman's levy and farm support fees were acceptable as long as they are for the services rendered and are also provided for in the national legislations.
This is finding therefore resolves the NTB |
|
|
NTB-000-162 |
8.7. Costly Road user charges /fees |
2009-07-27 |
Tanzania: Ministry of Transport |
Tanzania |
Resolved
2011-07-28 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Registration and accreditation of transporters is too high, (Charge is USD 10,000 per company so that only capable and serious transporters are registered) |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
Tanzania Revenue Authority reported that TRA is responsible for issuing the transporter license and that the fees is only Ks 20 000. |
|
|
NTB-000-165 |
8.7. Costly Road user charges /fees |
2009-07-27 |
Tanzania: Dar-es-Salaam Port |
Tanzania |
Resolved
2012-06-15 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Dar es Salaam port charges are considered high although it is one of the best ports in the region. Registration and accreditation of transporters is high, In addition to the charges and logistics, transit bonds are bureaucratic and are treated differently in other SADC countries. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
The 10th meeting of SADC Committee on Trade facilitaion agreed that the NTB was outdated & also that ‘charges’ had to be unpacked to enable comparison of all types of charges imposed at the port. It was noted that Dar es Salaam Port has special dispensations for transit cargo, which are not offered to cargo destined to Tanzania. According to the latest study by Tanzania, the Dar es Salaam port is the cheapest in the Region therefore this NTB was considered resolved. |
|
|
NTB-000-356 |
2.8. Lengthy and costly customs clearance procedures |
2010-02-10 |
Tanzania: Tanzania Revenue Authority |
Tanzania |
Resolved
2011-07-28 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Customs officers arbitrarily verify goods in transit at various check points and break seals for 100% physical verification leading to delays, breakages for goods thinly packed in the container etc. Customs could communicate with the next customs point at the border for verification to avoid 100% verification along the way. In some instances, the verification would have taken place at the point of loading the goods. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
Tanzania Revenue Authority reported that there are only two check points in Misubusubu and at Makambako to check only the if truck abides by transit time and transit route. TRA does not break any seals. If any seal is tempered with transporter is supposed to notify TRA office, transit check point or the nearest police station. All transit check points are automated under asycuda so they can be monitored in the system. TRA is in the process of acquiring electronic cargo tracking system hence check points will go away. |
|
|
NTB-000-357 |
7.9. Inadequate trade related infrastructure |
2010-02-10 |
Tanzania: Ministry of Transport |
Tanzania |
Resolved
2011-08-28 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
A transit point in Mbezi is too small. The ongoing Stakeholders meetings to resolve the issue are taking long to materialize. Trucks are held for as long as 2,5km long ques. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
Tanzania Revenue Authority reported that this transit point was closed in March 2010. |
|
|
NTB-000-362 |
2.8. Lengthy and costly customs clearance procedures |
2010-02-10 |
Tanzania: Tanzania Revenue Authority |
Tanzania |
Resolved
2011-07-28 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
There are different offices for processing customs documents in Tanzania. There is need for one stop house fore.g. in Dar-es- salaam |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
Tanzania Revenue Authority reported that all documentation for imports is centralized and is available and processed online. Allexports documents are processed at the borders. |
|
|
NTB-000-362 |
2.8. Lengthy and costly customs clearance procedures |
2010-02-10 |
Tanzania: Tanzania Revenue Authority |
Tanzania |
Resolved
2011-07-28 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
There are different offices for processing customs documents in Tanzania. There is need for one stop house fore.g. in Dar-es- salaam |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
Tanzania reported that documentation procedures have been decentralized as a result of use of online lodging of documents and extended working hours at the custom's department, among other improvements. Tanzania Revenue Authority reported that all documentation for imports is available processed online. All exports documents are processed at the border. |
|
|
NTB-000-148 |
2.8. Lengthy and costly customs clearance procedures
Policy/Regulatory |
2009-07-27 |
Zambia: Ministry of Trade |
Tanzania |
Resolved
2011-03-04 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Zambia licensing process just too long. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
Zambia reported that the process only takes 24hours |
|
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