| Complaint number |
NTB Type
Check allUncheck all |
Date of incident |
Location |
Reporting country or region (additional) |
Status |
Actions |
|
NTB-000-372 |
7.1. Arbitrariness Policy/Regulatory |
2010-02-10 |
Mozambique: Beira Port |
Zambia |
Resolved 2011-08-23 |
View |
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Complaint:
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Beira port authority arbitrarily assign security escort for randomly selected containers and charge US$150 without the knowledge of the importer. |
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Resolution status note:
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Mozambique advised that consultations with the CORNELDER - the Company responsible for the Beira Port had been completed and that the issue had been resolved |
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NTB-000-362 |
2.8. Lengthy and costly customs clearance procedures |
2010-02-10 |
Tanzania: Tanzania Revenue Authority |
Tanzania |
Resolved 2011-07-28 |
View |
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Complaint:
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There are different offices for processing customs documents in Tanzania. There is need for one stop house fore.g. in Dar-es- salaam |
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Resolution status note:
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Tanzania Revenue Authority reported that all documentation for imports is centralized and is available and processed online. Allexports documents are processed at the borders. |
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NTB-000-362 |
2.8. Lengthy and costly customs clearance procedures |
2010-02-10 |
Tanzania: Tanzania Revenue Authority |
Tanzania |
Resolved 2011-07-28 |
View |
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Complaint:
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There are different offices for processing customs documents in Tanzania. There is need for one stop house fore.g. in Dar-es- salaam |
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Resolution status note:
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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. |
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NTB-000-353 |
7.9. Inadequate trade related infrastructure |
2010-02-10 |
SADC |
Namibia |
Resolved 2016-10-07 |
View |
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Complaint:
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A truck legally loaded in Namibia may not be legally loaded in another SADC country due to lack of uniform loads and Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM) standards in SADC. There is need to standardize the axle loads |
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Resolution status note:
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FESARTA reported that this NTB was no longer in place |
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NTB-000-370 |
2.7. International taxes and charges levied on imports and other tariff measures |
2010-02-10 |
Zimbabwe: Revenue Authority |
Zambia |
Resolved 2011-07-28 |
View |
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Complaint:
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Traders of Plant materials, e.g., seeds are charged different rates by Zimbabwe at Victoria Falls Border post in Livingstone (US$20.00) from those charges by other countries e.g., South Africa (ZAR60.00) for each entry. |
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Resolution status note:
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At the 9th meeting of the SADC Sub-committee on trade facilitation, Zimbabwe reported that the current charge of US$10 on issuance of SPS certificates is competitive in the region. There are no harmonized charges for SPS certificates in the SADC region. |
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NTB-000-375 |
2.3. Issues related to the rules of origin |
2010-02-10 |
SADC |
Zimbabwe |
Resolved 2011-11-10 |
View |
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Complaint:
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There is lack of clarity and information on the authorities issuing and processing SADC certificates of origin in Member states. |
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Resolution status note:
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SADC secretariat reported that : as stated in rule 9 of the Annex I of the SADC Protocol on Trade, “Member States shall deposit with the Secretariat the names of Departments and Agencies authorized to issue the certificates required […], specimen signatures of officials authorized to sign the certificates and the impressions of the official stamps to be used for that purpose, and those shall be circulated to Member States by the Secretariat.” SADC Secretariat circulates all the documentary evidence to Member States immediately upon reception. Additionally, the SADC Customs Unit is working in a user-friendly customs related link in the SADC Secretariat’s website to accommodate not only issues related to documentary evidence for the process of SADC RoO, but also all the binding documentation that enhances trade in the Region. |
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NTB-000-359 |
2.8. Lengthy and costly customs clearance procedures |
2010-02-10 |
Kenya: Ministry of Home Affairs |
Tanzania |
Resolved 2011-07-28 |
View |
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Complaint:
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In Kenya, police can claim that a container is security risk and arrest it until customs people come. |
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Resolution status note:
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At the NMC meeting held in Nairobi on 29 August 2011, Kenya reported that this was an isolated case which did not repeat. |
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NTB-000-369 |
1.1. Export subsidies A84: Inspection requirement Policy/Regulatory |
2010-02-10 |
South Africa: Ministry of Agriculture |
Zambia |
Resolved 2011-11-22 |
View |
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Complaint:
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South Africa is not facilitating inspection of production areas for issuance of PQPS certificate for exports of fruits to Zambia as per requirement by the Ministry of Agriculture in Zambia. |
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Resolution status note:
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South Africa reported that Zambia needs to send information needed to evaluate their plant disease situation, legislation, standards and other requirements to the South African Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries . PQPS certificates can not be issued if the above information is not known. |
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NTB-000-369 |
1.1. Export subsidies A84: Inspection requirement Policy/Regulatory |
2010-02-10 |
South Africa: Ministry of Agriculture |
Zambia |
Resolved 2011-11-22 |
View |
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Complaint:
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South Africa is not facilitating inspection of production areas for issuance of PQPS certificate for exports of fruits to Zambia as per requirement by the Ministry of Agriculture in Zambia. |
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Resolution status note:
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On 1 June 2011 , South Afric areported that Zambia was not able to send information needed to evaluate their plant disease situation, legislation, standards and other requirements. PQPS certificates can therefore not be issued if the above information is not known |
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NTB-000-361 |
7.9. Inadequate trade related infrastructure |
2010-02-10 |
Kenya: Ministry of Transport |
Tanzania |
Resolved 2016-06-29 |
View |
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Complaint:
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Unreliable, different readings on the internal weighbridges in Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi. Readings can differ as much as between 500-700kgs resulting in transporters paying unnecessary huge fines. Weighbridges are often verified, however, various factors which include technical faults of the instruments and unscrupulous conduct of the transporters sometimes result in false readings: This problem relates to transit goods in properly sealed containers that, under normal circumstances, cannot be opened before they get to destination. |
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Resolution status note:
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The EAC secretariat reported that the EAC Axle load act was enacted by EALA in May, 2014 |
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NTB-000-358 |
2.8. Lengthy and costly customs clearance procedures |
2010-02-10 |
Democratic Republic of the Congo: Ministry of Trade |
Tanzania |
Resolved 2023-02-20 |
View |
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Complaint:
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The process of obtaining DRC Ogeframe certificate delays cargo at the port and increases costs. Procedure is too long as it involves exporter paying fees at Tanzania Revenue Authority in DAr es Salaam Office and then take the document for endorsement by DRC. This is applicable only to transit goods to DRC. |
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Resolution status note:
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Member States agreed to resolve on the strength that no complaints had been received . |
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NTB-000-363 |
7.7. Complex variety of documentation required |
2010-02-10 |
Kenya: Kenya Revenue Authority |
Zambia |
Resolved 2010-11-22 |
View |
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Complaint:
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Documentations requirements for exports to Kenya are too cumbersome (SGS invoice is issued after one month and you are charged inspection charges. With regards to import permits, Zambian exporter has to raise COMESA Certification and send to Kenyan importer before shipping the goods. This process takes more than 3 months. |
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Resolution status note:
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Issue resolved through COMESA Customs and Trade Committee |
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NTB-000-368 |
2.4. Import licensing Policy/Regulatory |
2010-02-10 |
South Africa: Ministry of Trade |
Zambia |
Resolved 2010-11-22 |
View |
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Complaint:
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South Africa denies Plant import permit for imports of chilies from Zambia |
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Resolution status note:
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South Afric areported that Zambia was not able to send information needed to evaluate their plant disease situation, legislation, standards and other requirements. PQPS certificates can therefore not be issued if the above information is not known. |
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NTB-000-360 |
7.9. Inadequate trade related infrastructure |
2010-02-10 |
Kenya: Ministry of Transport |
Tanzania |
Resolved 2011-07-28 |
View |
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Complaint:
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Kenya is not calibrating the weighbridges; therefore there is use of different weights. Leading to rampant Bribery activities taking place at the weigh bridges |
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Resolution status note:
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At the NMC meeting held in Nairobi on 29 August 2011, Kenya reported the weighbridges have been automated such that weight is recorded online. |
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NTB-000-379 |
8.7. Costly Road user charges /fees Policy/Regulatory |
2010-02-19 |
Democratic Republic of the Congo: Kasumbalesa |
Namibia |
Resolved 2016-10-07 |
View |
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Complaint:
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DRC is charging exorbitant fees which are not in line with SADC and COMESA harmonized fees.From 01/02/10 DRC did not reduce their tolls they instead greatly increases
them. Road tolls in DRC are about 15 ( 1500 % ) times greater than the SADC
recommended. Today a foreign transporter entering DRC at Kasumbalesa going to Tenke
Fungurume mine ( 300 kms each way ) is subject to the following tolls and
fees (distance of 300 kms into DRC and 300 kms out of DRC): Road toll Kasumbalesa/Lubumbashi return $ 300 ; Road tolls Lubumbashi/Likasi return $ 300; Road tolls Likasi/Tenke return $ 150 ; Government tax $ 50 ; Fumigation Fees $ 50 ; Card entry $ 15 ; Tourism/Vaccination fees $ 35 ; Visa for truck $ 25 ; Break bulk fees $ 20. Total cost to the transporter in Fees and Tolls is $ 945. That works out at $
157.5 per 100 kms. The SADC agreed is $ 10 per 100 kms. |
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Resolution status note:
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FESARTA reported that the NTB does not exist at present. |
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NTB-000-413 |
7.9. Inadequate trade related infrastructure |
2010-03-31 |
Zimbabwe: Kariba |
Zimbabwe |
Resolved 2011-07-28 |
View |
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Complaint:
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Crossborders buses are not allowed to cross over Kariba Bridge, which in turn will force a number of cross border traders to use Chirundu via Makuti which is expensive to the traders then(can the tonnage limit be reviewed by Zambezi River Authority and the Ministry of transport) |
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Resolution status note:
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At the 9th meeting of the SADC Sub-committee on trade facilitation, Zimbabwe reported that a eeting between Zimbabwe and Zambezi river Authority had agreed on th elifting of the ban. The ban has been lifted to allow cross border buses and small commercial transport of up to 11tonnes to use the bridge. |
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Products:
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0302.11: Fresh or chilled trout "Salmo trutta, Oncorhynchus mykiss, Oncorhynchus clarki, Oncorhynchus aguabonita, Oncorhynchus gilae, Oncorhynchus apache and Oncorhynchus chrysogaster" |
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NTB-000-434 |
2.3. Issues related to the rules of origin |
2010-04-15 |
Madagascar: Customs |
Mauritius |
Resolved 2015-12-16 |
View |
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Complaint:
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Madagascar does not confer originating status to Citron Plus soap manufactured by Mauritius and exported to Madagascar |
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Resolution status note:
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During the 27th COMESA TC Committee in August 2011, the COMESA Secretariat was directed to liaise with Madagascar to implement the Council decision taken at its 29th Meeting in Lusaka to provide justification for refusing the COMESA Certificate. Currently, Mopirove is exporting without difficulty . However an official decision is yet to be communicated to mauritius to avoid the risk that Madagascar Customs can refuse the COMESA Certificate of Origin from Mauritius |
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Products:
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3401.11: Soap and organic surface-active products and preparations, in the form of bars, cakes, moulded pieces or shapes, and paper, wadding, felt and nonwovens, impregnated, coated or covered with soap or detergent, for toilet use, incl. medicated products |
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NTB-000-434 |
2.3. Issues related to the rules of origin |
2010-04-15 |
Madagascar: Customs |
Mauritius |
Resolved 2015-12-16 |
View |
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Complaint:
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Madagascar does not confer originating status to Citron Plus soap manufactured by Mauritius and exported to Madagascar |
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Resolution status note:
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The two parties agreed that the issue does not constitute an NTB because the soap exported by Mauritius to Madagascar enters duty free therefore its not a NTB. This matter is therefore resolved . Madagascar requested the Secretariat to organise . Mauritius confirmed that Exports are no longer subjects to verification on RoO. |
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Products:
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3401.11: Soap and organic surface-active products and preparations, in the form of bars, cakes, moulded pieces or shapes, and paper, wadding, felt and nonwovens, impregnated, coated or covered with soap or detergent, for toilet use, incl. medicated products |
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NTB-000-434 |
2.3. Issues related to the rules of origin |
2010-04-15 |
Madagascar: Customs |
Mauritius |
Resolved 2015-12-16 |
View |
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Complaint:
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Madagascar does not confer originating status to Citron Plus soap manufactured by Mauritius and exported to Madagascar |
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Resolution status note:
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During the COMESA NTBs Focal Points meeting held in August 2016, Madagascar and Mauritius informed the meeting that this NTB had been resolved in line with the decision of the 28th COMESA Council of Ministers |
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Products:
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3401.11: Soap and organic surface-active products and preparations, in the form of bars, cakes, moulded pieces or shapes, and paper, wadding, felt and nonwovens, impregnated, coated or covered with soap or detergent, for toilet use, incl. medicated products |
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NTB-000-437 |
8.8. Issues related to transit |
2010-05-12 |
EAC |
Kenya |
Resolved 2015-09-24 |
View |
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Complaint:
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Delays in transit bonds cancellation by EAC partner states |
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Resolution status note:
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Now with the introduction of the Single Customs Territory using a single bond from the port up to final destination, the issue has been addressed. |
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