| Complaint number |
NTB Type
|
Date of incident |
Location |
Reporting country or region (additional) |
Status |
Actions |
|
NTB-000-619 |
8.1. Government Policy and regulations |
2014-01-10 |
Mozambique: Tete Corridor |
South Africa |
Resolved
2014-07-02 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
This complaint is registered by FESARTA.
South African-registered trucks are required to be escorted by the Mozambique authorities, from the Cuchamano border post, along the Tete Corridor, to their destinations. They are charged US$100 to the Zobue border post and US$150 to the Calomue border post.
Transporters have confirmed that they would prefer not to be escorted, as it delays their trips.
If the Mozambique authorities insist on escorting the vehicles, then the cost should be covered by Mozambique. Transporters should not have to pay for something that they do not want and it should be included in the Mozambique authorities' budget. |
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Resolution status note:
|
On 03 July 2014 FESARTA reported that they had received communication from the Mozambique authorities that escorts are only required under exceptional cases, and no charges can be made. This NTB is therefore resolved. |
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NTB-000-639 |
8.1. Government Policy and regulations
Policy/Regulatory |
2014-08-25 |
South Africa: Beit Bridge |
Democratic Republic of the Congo |
Resolved
2016-09-13 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
This complaint is registered by FESARTA.
The Director, Department of Immigration and Citizenship, South Africa, has instructed that, due to the outbreak of the ebola virus in DRC, no DRC citizens may enter South Africa until further notice.
See the attached notice.
Whilst it is accepted that the outbreak of the ebola virus is a serious issue, the transport industry recommends that other preventative measures be taken at the borders, rather than stop DRC citizens from entering the country? |
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Resolution status note:
|
On 13th September 2016, FESARTA advised that the transporters were no longer facing this barrier so the NTB is resolved. |
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NTB-000-706 |
8.1. Government Policy and regulations
Policy/Regulatory |
2016-05-18 |
Uganda: Uganda Police |
Burundi |
Resolved
2016-12-07 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Uganda recognizes the COMESA yellow card insurance but it is not honoured once there is an accident. |
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Resolution status note:
|
The 22nd meeting of the EAC NTBs Forum held in December 2016 , accepted Uganda report that she recognizes COMESA Yellow Card insurance. However the policy requires that all trucks involved in criminal accidents should be held to allow investigation. |
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NTB-000-835 |
8.1. Government Policy and regulations
Policy/Regulatory |
2018-01-19 |
Tanzania: Namanga |
Kenya |
Resolved
2019-05-03 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
KNCCI as a business membership organization, is in receipt of complaints that the chemical sector is being requested by the United Republic of Tanzania to:
1. Pay Tshs 90,000 equivalent to Kshs 4,500 annually for the Government Chemical Laboratory Transport Permit to allow them to transport their chemical products to their customers. The permit takes about 3 weeks for it to be approved
2. Register the companies in Tanzania and to use Tanzanian registered Vehicles instead of Kenyan registered vehicles to transport their products to the customers
The above is in addition to the import tax that the companies pay hence it is felt that these are additional costs being levied on the manufacturers/exporters |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
anzania informed the Regional Monitoring Committee on 3rd May, 2019 that:
1. According to the EAC vehicle load Act 2016, the permit is mandatory and hence is not an NTB.
2. The permit is now issued immediatly and is online since 1st April, 2019 www.portal.gcla.go.tz; www.gcla.go.tz
3. Registration of the transporter is mandatory in Tanzania due to the sensitivity of the goods and public health. This is a regional and international requirement.
4. GCLA does not require other Partner States to use Tanzania registered vehicles when transporting chemicals into Tanzania. It is the Company that needs to be registered by GCLA.
The meeting agreed that all Partner States should sensitze their business community on the requirements for the transportation and handling of Chemicals in region in accordance with Regional and International Laws.
The NTB was resolved. |
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|
NTB-000-911 |
8.1. Government Policy and regulations
Policy/Regulatory |
2019-10-15 |
Zambia: All Zambia Weighbridges |
Zimbabwe |
Resolved
2020-07-10 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Zambia applies 0% tolerance on Gross Weight at all Weigh Bridge Stations when all the other counties on the North – South Corridor allows 2 – 5% tolerance on Gross Weight as allowance for weigh bridge weight variances, since weigh bridges give varying weights at any given time which results in fining transporters unnecessarily. The expectation is that Zambia should apply a 2% tolerance on gross weight thereby removing the current challenge faced by foreign operators in the country. |
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Resolution status note:
|
During the 8th Meeting of NTBs Focal Points held on 8- 10 July 2020, Zambia reported that it applies a 5% tolerance on Gross Weight at all Weigh Bridges. Zimbabwe needs to clarify whether they are still experiencing challenges. If not it should be considered resolved |
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NTB-000-932 |
8.1. Government Policy and regulations |
2019-12-04 |
Zambia: Ministry of Transport |
Zimbabwe |
Resolved
2020-11-10 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Zambia Proposed legislation to restrict foreign registered Road Freight Transport Operators from loading cargo into and out of Zambia violates the provisions of the SADC Protocol, particularly:
1.1 Section 5.1 which calls for the development of a strong and competitive road transport industry which provides effective transport services to consumers. Clearly the introduction of quotas is anti-competitive;
1.2 Section 5.2 calls for equal treatment, non-discriminatory, reciprocity and fair competition. As already pointed out the proposed legislation is discriminatory and anti-competitive;
1.3 Section 6 in which a Zambia/Zimbabwe Joint Route Management Group forum exist but apparently has been ignored by the Zambian authorities who have chosen to introduce the proposed legislation without the courtesy of discussion using the established channels.
The transporters see a backlash from regional countries if this comes to pass and we will soon see cargo staging/transfer points arising at border posts as pressure from regional transport operators mount on their respective Governments to implement similar regulation. |
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Resolution status note:
|
On 10 November 2020, Zimbabwe Focal Point reported that this issue is one of proposed legislation which is not in force and still under consultation. Other Countries in the region are implementing similar provisions which in our view should be the ones reported as NTBs. Foreign Transporters are not experiencing any challenges in Zambia with respect to this particular complaint. |
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NTB-000-937 |
8.1. Government Policy and regulations |
2020-01-26 |
Zambia: Chirundu |
Zimbabwe |
Resolved
2020-01-30 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Lamcast Refractories is a Manufacturing Company located in Redcliff, Zimbabwe. On the 26th of January 2020 we had an export to Zambia, transported via Chirundu border post. Upon arrival at the border our driver was advised through our clearing agent that the consignment needed a cross border permit.
Prior to the trip we had been advised by the VID in Zimbabwe and the Ministry of Transport that the vehicle that we are using is too small (5ton truck), and does not require a cross border permit because of its size and we were further advised that since the truck has yellow number plates it does not require a cross border permit. We were also advised that a cross border permit is issued to 15ton trucks and above of which our truck is a 5ton truck
Our driver has been at border since Sunday the 26th of January 2020 and up today 28/01/20 he has not been cleared on the Zambian side.
The driver had a hard time on both sides of the border because of the issue of the required cross border permit. What we were advised on the ground is different from what was encountered at the border.
May you kindly assist us on the way forward.
We have been exporting to Botswana via Plumtree border post since 2016, and we have never been asked to produce a cross border permit. The exports are being done using the same truck that we are using in Zambia. |
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Resolution status note:
|
Zimbabwe Focal Point reported that, the exporter took advice from Zambia Focal Point to seek assistance of Zambian Authorities at Chirundu border post who assisted him. The matter was therefore resolved. |
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NTB-001-003 |
8.1. Government Policy and regulations |
2021-01-26 |
Zambia: Zambia Revenue Authority |
|
Resolved
2024-06-13 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Government of Zambia issues Statutory Instrument 115 of 2020 , The Customs and Excise Ports of Entry and Routes Amendment Order, 2020, 9A(1) Reads , goods exported through Victoria Falls port in accordance with this paragraph shall be transported by rail, this Order automatically is a ban to export goods to Zimbabwe as the whole process to export using rail is a burdensome to trade by small scale players. Most goods are bought in Kamwala area shops and some being bought in the industrial areas which small players can easily transport using their vehicles or hired vehicles as they combine wares. Introduction for use of Rail is a clear indication by the Government of Zambia to ban export of certain commodities to Zimbabwe as market access will be a challenge to those living within Victoria Falls and the whole part of matebelalend as they are forced to use Chirundu exit .
Trucks can reach Victoria Falls within a day which is different from train, trucks you can accompany your goods different from train, trucks you can be cleared in time whereas using train everything is dumped at one place. this will open other avenues of bush borders or direct smuggling at the borders as officials will not be clearing goods in trucks |
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Resolution status note:
|
The NTB is related to NTB-001-004 (which was resolved during the 3rd meeting of the COMESA Regional NTBs). The NTB is therefore resolved, on the ground that NTB-001-003 and NTB-001-004 are equivalent, and that the basis on which later was later was resolved applies to the former. |
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Products:
|
0401: Milk and cream, not concentrated nor containing added sugar or other sweetening matter., 1905: Bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits and other bakers' wares, whether or not containing cocoa; communion wafers, empty cachets of a kind suitable for pharmaceutical use, sealing wafers, rice paper and similar products. and 34: CHAPTER 34 - SOAP, ORGANIC SURFACE-ACTIVE AGENTS, WASHING PREPARATIONS, LUBRICATING PREPARATIONS, ARTIFICIAL WAXES, PREPARED WAXES, POLISHING OR SCOURING PREPARATIONS, CANDLES AND SIMILAR ARTICLES, MODELLING PASTES, ‘DENTAL WAXES’ AND DENTAL PREPARATIONS |
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|
NTB-001-023 |
8.1. Government Policy and regulations |
2021-07-26 |
Democratic Republic of the Congo: The DRC government. Ministry of Transport |
South Africa |
Resolved
2026-04-15 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
The DRC has just published legislation prohibiting foreign vehicles from loading mining products and to remove (export) them from the DRC. The unofficial translation of the new DRC amendment:Article 4-It is strictly forbidden for any vehicle not registered in the Democratic Republic of Congo to load goods, in this case mining products from the national territory; In the event of violation of the above paragraph, the goods are immediately unloaded at the shipper's risk.
According to an unofficial translation of article four of the amendment affecting the DRC's road freight sector, "it is strictly forbidden for any vehicle not registered in the DRC to load goods, in this case mining products, from the national territory”.
The article continues, saying "in the event of violation of the above paragraph, the goods are immediately unloaded at the shipper's risk”. The decision is expected to have a wide-ranging impact on exports out of the DRC's Copperbelt region, with some transporters going so far as to say that it's wholly impractical and a protectionist strategy that is bound to boomerang against the government in Kinshasa. |
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Resolution status note:
|
During the SADC Regional workshop on resolution of NTBs it was agreed that SADC Carbotage regulations do not allow foreign trucks to load on return trip |
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NTB-001-025 |
8.1. Government Policy and regulations |
2021-08-10 |
Malawi: SONGWE KARONGA BOX 8 WEIGHBRIDGE |
Rwanda |
Resolved
2023-04-06 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
The Rwanda truck carrying Fertilizer TPT from Tanzania to Malawi Lilongwe was refused to enter Malawi and charged USD 1000 for violating third country rule a provision that is being applied betwen Zambia and Malawi to protect their national transport operators against foreign transporters not registered in Malawi. This is a discrimination against other trucks transporting goods to Malawi |
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Resolution status note:
|
The COMESA workshop on Capacity building for Member States held on 2- 6 April 2023, reviewed this matter and recommended that the Secretariat to recommend to Rwanda to regard this NTB as resolved considering that there are Legal Instruments supporting its implementation. The relevant transport instruments would be shared with Rwanda. |
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NTB-000-669 |
8.3. Immigration requirements (Visa, travel permit)
Policy/Regulatory |
2014-09-02 |
Tanzania: Immigration |
Kenya |
Resolved
2016-06-30 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Delay of issuance of work permit by United Republic of Tanzania |
|
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Resolution status note:
|
The issue is not about integrating the permits but the 'delays' in issuing the permit. This anomaly can be corrected. Focal points need to get more information on the nature of Delay. At the Tanzania NMC meeting, Immigration reported that the work permits are processed within 14 days maximum if all information is provided. |
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|
NTB-000-688 |
8.3. Immigration requirements (Visa, travel permit) |
2016-03-29 |
South Africa: Beit Bridge |
Zimbabwe |
Resolved
2016-05-09 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
South Africa Immigration Offices at Beit Bridge gives drivers maximum 14 days on their passports when entering into SA at point of entry. When a driver departs before the 14 days are fully utilized, the next time you want to enter, they tell you to use those remaining days before they can add more days on your passport. This causes drivers to end up running short of days should their trip be longer than the remaining days before the normal 14 days. Zimbabwe transporters are therefore forced to send their drivers back to Beit Bridge without their trucks to get their passports re stamped or they are faced with fines or worse still, they will not be allowed to enter SA again for not exiting on or before the set day when they entered SA initially. This is increasing the cost of doing business. Transporters have lost business during the time drivers are hiking to the border to get passports stamped, the extra night allowances and bus fares and also the down time spent in the process. This problem is a lot worse if loads are short in SA as well.
This matter needs urgent attention on the part of Home Affairs in South Africa as the hampering of transporter and driver movements is not in the interests of trade facilitation and inters regional trade in the region. |
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Resolution status note:
|
On 09 May 2016, the South African Focal Point provided the current Visa and Immigration requirements that state that: ‘Visas are not required by passport holders of Lesotho, Swaziland, Botswana, Namibia, Zambia and Malawi who are entering the Republic as commercial heavy-duty vehicle drivers provide their visits do not exceed 15 days and on condition that they can produce a letter confirming their employment with a transport company on entry.
The same principle applies to Zimbabwean commercial heavy-duty vehicle drivers, except that their sojourn may not exceed 30 days at a time. The afore-mentioned does not apply to commercial heavy-duty vehicle drivers who transport goods for a South African transport company. Such drivers must be in possession of a valid work visa.’
The requirements are uploaded onto the Notifications window of the Online system www.tradebarriers.org as information to stakeholders . This document can be dowloaded by the public . |
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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 |
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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. |
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NTB-000-692 |
1.8. Import bans |
2016-01-27 |
Zimbabwe: Ministry of Agriculture, Mechanisation & Irrigation.
Department of Livestock & Veterinary Services |
Zimbabwe |
Resolved
2016-07-20 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Department of Livestock & Veterinary Services have issued a letter stating they are banning honey imports to protect their honey industry from disease. In the same letter, they state that there is plenty of local honey available so importers should buy local.
Zambezi Gold Honey from Zambia has been imported to Zimbabwe by Le Sel Distribution (Zimbabwean Company) for 6 years now. No complaint has ever been made.
No analyses have been shown to Le Sel (the importer) to prove disease exists.
Zimbabwe Vet Services has refused to consider any exemptions. |
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Resolution status note:
|
The Program Officer - Sanitary and Phytosanitary in the SADC Secretariat reported that the NTB-692 on honey import ban from Zambia implemented by the Department of Veterinary Services of Zimbabwe had been resolved. Issuance of permits had resumed.
The SQAM - SPS Programme (Standards – SABF Sub-group) in collaboration with GIZ had actively engaged the Department of Veterinary Services for the timely resolution of the NTB.
We thank officials of the Department of Veterinary Services of Zimbabwe for their cooperation. |
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NTB-000-848 |
1.8. Import bans |
2018-08-09 |
Uganda: Ministry |
Kenya |
Resolved
2018-11-16 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Uganda’s limitation on importation of processed meat products from within the region. It also addressed it as a measure to promote local capacity in Uganda to produce such processed meats rather than importing meat and meat products from the Partner States. |
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Resolution status note:
|
Uganda informed the meeting that the letter was meant for internal traders who were sourcing for processed meat from outside the EAC and was not meant for traders within the EAC Partner States.
So the Meeting agreed that this NTB is resolved. |
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NTB-000-975 |
1.8. Import bans |
2020-07-02 |
Kenya: Ministry of Agriculture,Livestock,fisheries and cooperatives |
Uganda |
Resolved
2021-03-18 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Kenya banned importation of sugar ,brown sugar and raw cane from Uganda |
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Resolution status note:
|
During the NMC meeting that took place in March 2021, the meeting was informed that two bilateral meetings were held with Kenya to discuss among others the NTB on the importation of brown sugar, The Trade Ministers from both sides met and Kenya agreed that the issue will be resolved. Kenya agreed to undertake a verification mission to Uganda. The Mission has not yet taken place but there has been a commendable improvement in the area, where sugar has been allowed into Kenya.
The issue on raw cane was RESOLVED |
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NTB-000-985 |
1.8. Import bans |
2020-10-12 |
South Africa: Grobler's Bridge |
Zambia |
Resolved
2026-02-19 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Certified organic honey that is American Foulbrood Disease (AFB)free, complete with Certificate of Analysis from accredited lab Intertek in Germany (accredited by the German National Accreditation body DAkkS - national accreditation body for the Federal Republic of Germany) they are also ISO/IEC 17025 certified and they do engage in proficiency testing) has been banned from entering SA unless irradiated.
2015 bilateral agreement allowed Zambian honey into SA without irradiating due to there being no AFB in Zambia.
SA claims that their ARC lab has tested samples from Forest Fruits and others and found them to be positive for AFB. The ARC lab has always produced inconsistent results and they cannot replicate the results. Sometimes positive and after a retest it is negative. ARC lab is not even SANAS accredited, has no ISO certification and does not engage in proficiency testing for AFB tests. On 23 October 2020 at a round table meeting of SA honey importers and various DAFF departments - meeting called by DAFF NPPO, it was clearly stated and admitted that ARC has performance "gaps".
DAFF scientists have to make decisions based on faulty science and results. The Intertek results consistently come back as negative for AFB disease. The result is in Non Compliance notices being sent to Zambia for samples that get retested and are negative!
As recent as last year, Zambia Veterinary Services did a national survey and found no AFB disease in Zambia.
SA DAFF NPPO is creating haphazard barriers to Zambian honey.
All Zambian exports are now affected.
Since 2015 a considerable amount of business with South African companies has developed in Zambia exporting honey to them. This ban affects the livelihoods of over 140,000 subsistence villagers. |
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Resolution status note:
|
Zambia reported that the complaint had been resolved. Please refer to the progress report provided above on 10th December 2025. |
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NTB-001-013 |
1.8. Import bans |
2021-03-05 |
Kenya: All Kenyans borders |
Tanzania |
Resolved
2021-05-20 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
On 5th March, 2021 the Republic of Kenya, through the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Cooperatives (Agriculture and Food Authority) issued a letter to the Commissioner of Customs, Kenya to stop importation of maize from the United Republic of Tanzania following a report from a surveillance which indicated high levels of mycotoxins that are very consistently beyond safety limits. The letter that was sent to all Counties bordering the two Partner States was neither notified to the EAC Secretary General nor to the concerned Partner States as per the EAC notification procedures; causing disruption to traders carrying maize at those borders. This incidents has caused loss to our traders. |
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Resolution status note:
|
The REC Focal Point reported that the NTB had been resolved by the Regional Meeting held in May 2021 |
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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. |
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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. |
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NTB-001-060 |
1.8. Import bans
Policy/Regulatory |
2022-02-16 |
|
Uganda |
Resolved
2022-06-14 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Prohibition of Sale of alcohol packed in 200ml containers and confiscation of products by CID and Local government Authorities.This is affecting only imported beverages.No Communication has been received on change of regulatory framework governing packaging of alcoholic drinks. |
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Resolution status note:
|
On 14 June 2022, EAC Secretariat reported that the SCTIFI meeting was informed that Uganda banned sachet-packed alcohol.
RSS informed the meeting that this was not an NTB but a health issue. The meeting therefore agreed that the NTB should be resolved in the TBP |
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