| Complaint number |
NTB Type
Check allUncheck all |
Date of incident |
Location |
Reporting country or region (additional) |
Status |
Actions |
|
NTB-001-040 |
2.3. Issues related to the rules of origin |
2021-10-14 |
Tanzania: URT TRA |
Kenya |
Resolved 2023-05-16 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Tanzania denial of preferential market access for Apple Juice and Strawberry manufactured in Kenya while citing reasons that the products are not originating from Kenya. URT delayed the shipment instead of facilitating clearance as is required by the protocal and the EAC Rules of Origin then follow the process of reporting the matter to the secretariat for action/guidance. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
The RMC noted that the Verification report was considered and approved by the Committee on Customs and the SCTIFI in May and June 2023 respectively. The verification recommendations have been implemented whereby the qualified products have been granted preferential treatment. The SCTIFI noted that the products that qualify for preferential treatment can be allowed to access the market as the two Partner States consult bilaterally on the two products that do not qualify. Hence the NTB is resolved |
|
|
NTB-001-033 |
1.8. Import bans |
2018-08-01 |
Tanzania: Tanzania Ministry of Livestock Development and Fisheries |
Kenya |
Resolved 2021-10-14 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Tanzania denial of Permission for importation of Turkey meat into Tanzania and instead decline approval of permit and ask local distributors to source it locally in Tanzania. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
Transfer of meat and meat products to Tanzania is allowed, reference is made to the importation permit issued on 24th August, 2021 (Which is attached by the importer). Also, The Animal and Animal products Movement Regulations, GN 489 published on 29th June, 2020 does not prohibit transfer of turkey meat to Tanzania. There is no evidence attached by importer to show that turkey meat from Kenya was denied market in Tanzania. Hence this is not an NTB. |
|
|
NTB-000-092 |
2.8. Lengthy and costly customs clearance procedures |
2009-07-26 |
Tanzania: Dar-es-Salaam Port |
Mauritius |
Resolved 2011-05-23 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Tanzania demands pre-shipment inspection for exports from Mauritius. The lack of appointed inspection company in Mauritius makes abiding to the requirements of pre-inspection difficult. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
Tanzania reported that there is no pre-shipment inspection for exports from Mauritius. |
|
|
NTB-000-857 |
8.3. Immigration requirements (Visa, travel permit) |
2018-10-01 |
Tanzania: Kilambo |
|
Resolved 2023-02-20 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Tanzania charging of Business Visa of USD 250 to EAC business persons entering URT charged as Certificate of Temporary Assignment (CTA) at all borders |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
The regulations went through the legal draftspersons. They decided to do away with having Regulations as this was not provided for under the CMP. However, some of the provisions that were in the Regulations were included in the revised EAC Schedule on Progressive Liberalization of Services. This includes the provision on the Removal of Barriers to Trade in Services. With this, all barriers under Trade in Services will be progressively removed as per the EAC Schedule. Hence the meeting agreed to resolve this NTB as it has been taken care of in the Schedule. |
|
|
NTB-001-230 |
6.2. Administrative fees |
2024-11-28 |
Tanzania: Ngara District Council |
Rwanda |
Resolved 2025-05-30 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Tanzania charged 100,000Tsh on trucks transporting agricultural products from Kahama and Ngara District to Rwanda, and this is not fair for goods in transit. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
During the RMC, Tanzania reported that it is a district developmental fee and is charged non-discriminatorily to all traders transferring agricultural produce from the districts and provided evidence for the same.
Hence, the NTB is resolved |
|
|
NTB-000-452 |
7.8. Consular and Immigration Issues |
2011-09-03 |
Tanzania: Mbeya |
Uganda |
Resolved 2012-04-26 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Tanzania Border posts charge Visa charges of US$ 250 for businessmen from Uganda. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
At the 3rd meeting the Tripartite NTBs Focal Points and NMC Chairs held in Dar -es-Salaam on 19-20 April 2012, Tanzania reported that it does not charge visa from EAC members. |
|
|
NTB-000-778 |
5.12. Export restraint arrangements |
2017-05-05 |
Tanzania: Ministry of Industry, Trade and Marketing , |
Uganda |
Resolved 2017-10-24 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Tanzania banned exportation of food items to Uganda hence affecting Intra Regional Trade and endangers food security in the region. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
In the recent meeting on NTBs held in Kampala on 24th October, 2017, Tanzania reported that this was a food security issue in Tanzania and the meeting agreed that it has been resolved. |
|
|
NTB-000-093 |
7.5. Lengthy procedures |
2009-07-26 |
Tanzania: Banking Institutions |
Mauritius |
Resolved 2011-05-23 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Tanzania banks delay processing bank documents resulting in vessel arriving at the port of destination before the importer receives the original documents from the bank. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
Tanzania reported that the complaint is obliged to comply with banks’ requirements to speed up the process |
|
|
NTB-000-715 |
2.6. Additional taxes and other charges Policy/Regulatory |
2016-06-30 |
Tanzania: Ministry of Envinronment |
Kenya |
Resolved 2016-12-06 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Tanzania authority requires that heat treated wooden pallets be fumigated again at the Border, failure of which they charge penalties. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
At the 22nd EAC NTB Forum held in December 2016, Kenya reported that Tanzania Revenue Authority had lifted the requirement that heat treated wooden pallets be
fumigated again at the Border, failure of which they charge penalties. |
|
|
NTB-000-772 |
1.14. Lack of coordination between government institutions Policy/Regulatory |
2017-05-05 |
Tanzania: Ministry of Works, Transport & Communication |
Kenya |
Resolved 2018-01-17 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Tanzania are charging railway development levy (RDL) to Kenya products. Tanzania is not adhering to the EAC law where it states clearly that products within the EAC should not be subjected to RDL |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
During the Bilateral meeting that took place in January 2018, the Permanent/ principal Secretaries took note that Tanzania does not levy RDL on products originating in the EAC region. And hence the NTB was Resolved. |
|
|
NTB-000-517 |
8.7. Costly Road user charges /fees Policy/Regulatory |
2012-07-16 |
Democratic Republic of the Congo: KIPUS Mine |
Tanzania |
Resolved 2012-07-20 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Tanzania Truck Owners Association (TATOA) reported that Tanzania Trucks, after delivering a consignment they carried from Tanzania to Congo, are charged $100,000/= per truck if they want to carry another consignment on their way back to Dar es Salaam. The attached receipt is just evidence for one transaction but there are other transporters who have paid such charges while there are also other transporters whose vehicles have been detained until now. This fee is charged at KIPUS mine in the name of LOCAL INCOME TAX WHILE LOADING CARGO. Tanzania regards this as an NTB and she needs to know the reason for charging such a huge amount of money from transporters. DRC focal point is requested to treat this matter as urgent since a number of tracks are still detained at Kipus Mine in the D. R. Congo. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
On 08 October, Tanzania focal point reported that the DRC released the trucks held at the KIPUS Mine . This NTB is therefore considered resolved. |
|
|
NTB-001-113 |
2.8. Lengthy and costly customs clearance procedures |
2023-01-01 |
Uganda: |
Kenya |
Resolved 2023-05-17 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
T1 generation delays:
T1 Mapping on to ICMS system from URA portal for generation of C2
• Goods are sometimes sent back to await clearance at the exporters’ expense.
• Truck Delays at loading bay due to lack of transport document to move along the corridor to partner state
• Time wasted, additional costs such as unit logistics costs due to number of days
-Delays at border Clearance- exit
a) Real time synchrony with partner agency systems as envisaged.
b) Quicker exit and entry clearances- online portal to facilitate trade on realtime. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
The RMC noted that the issue was operational and such issues are handled by the SCT ICT technical working group. This technical working group was put in place to handle such ICT-related issues as they occur The meeting, therefore, agreed that it is better handled there and be removed from the TBP |
|
|
NTB-000-497 |
5.1. Quantitative restrictions Policy/Regulatory |
2012-05-08 |
Eswatini: Bordergate |
South Africa |
Resolved 2015-12-03 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Swaziland is to impose Quantitive import restrictions on imported edible cooking oil from within the SADC region as well as 15% import duties over and above the quantitive restriction. Such has happen already on Wheat Flour and after 8 years of 'Infancy Protection', NO IMPORT permits are issued to date. Court Case is currently being heard by the High Court of Swaziland. (Various Stakeholders versus Government of Swaziland) |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
At their meeting held on 23 May 2013, the SCTF recalled Articles 3 and 7 of the Trade Protocol, on elimination of trade barriers and quantitative restrictions. Swaziland reported that measure was implemented in the context of the SACU, which provides for quantitative restrictions and protection of infant industry protection. SCTF requested Swaziland to provide its relevant national legal instrument and information on how the measure is applied including whether or not it is applicable to trade with non-SACU SADC FTA Member States. Swaziland undertook to provide the information as requested. Swaziland submitted the legislation as per requirement . This NTB is therefore resolved . |
|
|
Products:
|
1205.10: Low erucic acid rape or colza seeds "yielding a fixed oil which has an erucic acid content of < 2% and yielding a solid component of glucosinolates of < 30 micromoles/g", 1205.90: High erucic rape or colza seeds "yielding a fixed oil which has an erucic acid content of >= 2% and yielding a solid component of glucosinolates of >= 30 micromoles/g", whether or not broken and 1206.00: Sunflower seeds, whether or not broken |
|
|
NTB-000-106 |
2.7. International taxes and charges levied on imports and other tariff measures |
2009-07-26 |
Eswatini: Ministry of Trade |
South Africa |
Resolved 2010-11-22 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Swaziland imposed import levy for dairy products. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
Swaziland reported that there is an import levy on dairy products imposed and collected by Swaziland Dairy Board |
|
|
NTB-000-047 |
2.3. Issues related to the rules of origin |
2007-05-29 |
Madagascar: Ministry of Trade |
Eswatini |
Resolved 2009-02-03 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Swaziland complained that the Government of Madagascar were not exempting import duties on Swaziland original goods (Madagascar Customs said Swaziland is not part of COMESA any more as of 1st February, 2007) |
|
|
NTB-000-329 |
2.13. Issues related to Pre-Shipment Inspections |
2009-09-09 |
Eswatini: Customs |
Eswatini |
Resolved 2010-07-28 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Swaziland borders are seriously understaffed and there is to control smuggling. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
Swaziland reported that the Swaziland Revenue Authority (SRA) started operating in January 2011 and replaces the Department of Customs and Excise. The organization is therefore fairly new and is still in process of developing appropriate customs clearances procedures which will be uniformly applied at all border posts. This also applies to recruitment and training of staff which is still is ongoing to reach the desired levels which will bring efficiencies in the provision of service at all borders. |
|
|
NTB-000-720 |
2.3. Issues related to the rules of origin Policy/Regulatory |
2016-06-07 |
Sudan: Sudan Customs Authority |
Egypt |
Resolved 2021-03-17 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Sudan Customs authority has stopped applying the customs exemption on Egyptian Ceramic tiles products despite the fact that the consignments are accompanied by a COMESA certificate of origin . |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
RESOLVED during 1st Meeting of the COMESA Regional NTBs Forum held on 16- 17 March 2021 |
|
|
NTB-000-412 |
2.3. Issues related to the rules of origin |
2009-05-08 |
Sudan: Port Sudan sea port |
Kenya |
Resolved 2015-01-19 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Sudan customs authorities refused to recognise COMESA certificates of origin for the export of laundry soap noodles manufactured in Kenya. The soap noodles are packed in 25kgs PP woven bags. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
On 19 January 2015, Kenya focal point reported that, ideally Sudan Customs should have requested COMESA for a verification mission to Kenya, but the issue was left hanging. Kenya would therefore want this NTB removed from the outstanding NTBs ‘as resolved’ on grounds that the affected company had advised Focal point to close the case since they are no longer exporting soap noodles to Sudan. The NTB shall be registered afresh if it features again. At that point, reporting company will be requested to provide the supportive documents with current dates. |
|
|
Products:
|
3401.20: Soap in the form of flakes, granules, powder, paste or in aqueous solution |
|
|
NTB-000-474 |
1.8. Import bans |
2011-11-22 |
Tanzania: Mwanza |
Rwanda |
Resolved 2012-04-26 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
SteelRwa was denied to import scrap metals from Tanzania due to the ban resulting from its scarcity in the region. Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda have banned exports of scrap metals not only to non EAC members but also the ban is applicable to other EAC member states |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
At the 3rd meeting the Tripartite NTBs Focal Points and NMC Chairs held in Dar -es-Salaam on 19-20 April 2012,Tanzania reported that it had ratified the Bamako convention that governs the movement of hazardous wastes with in Africa. Tanzania has neither banned importation nor exportation of scrap metals, but there are procedures to follow when engaging in such business:
i) A team of experts has to inspect the scrap metals to ensure that the consignment is safe to and allowed
to be exported.
ii) The exporter has to obtain an export permit from the MIT.
There are scrap metals that are not allowed to be exported from Tanzania. The list is supported by a Legal instrument. (The Exports Control Act Cap. 381, Prohibition of Exports, Amendment of the Schedule) Government Notice No. 204 published on 22/7/2005, Section 16). This applies to all countries not Rwanda specifically.
Rwanda is withdrawing this NTB from the matrix due to lack of evidence from complainant. |
|
|
NTB-000-842 |
2.3. Issues related to the rules of origin |
2018-10-01 |
Uganda: Border |
Kenya |
Resolved 2018-11-16 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Steel products transferred to Burundi from Uganda and Kenya.
Burundi does not offer preferential tariff treatment to metal products transferred from Uganda and Kenya. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
The NTB was resolved |
|