| Complaint number |
NTB Type
|
Date of incident |
Location |
Reporting country or region (additional) |
Status |
Actions |
|
NTB-001-214 |
6.6. Border taxes |
2024-10-01 |
Tanzania: Rusumo, Mutukula, Kabanga |
Rwanda |
Resolved
2025-11-25 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Through Port Health at Rusumo, Kobero / Kabanga and Mutukula/Mutukula, the United Republic of Tanzania charges the Republic of Rwanda and the Republic of Burundi Trucks 5 USD or the equivalent in Tshs as Free Pratique which is not in the EAC legal framework for free movement of cross-border trade. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
This charge is not discriminative. |
|
|
NTB-001-217 |
1.1. Export subsidies |
2024-09-24 |
Tanzania: Kabanga |
Burundi |
Resolved
2026-03-04 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
URT IS IMPOSING TO BURUNDI A TAX FOR SALUBRITY FOR TRANSIT TRUCKS imposed by port health on borders. This case is for 2 borders : Kabanga and Mutukula with different dates: 24 September 2024 and 02 October 2024. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
URT reported that the matter is not discriminative. The measure applies to all entry and exit points and it applies to Tanzanians as well. The Republic of Burundi confirmed that the NTB was resolved. |
|
|
NTB-001-246 |
2.3. Issues related to the rules of origin |
2024-11-01 |
Tanzania: Ministry of Agriculture |
Uganda |
Resolved
2025-11-25 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Quantitative restrictions on Ugandan Sugar transfers to Tanzania only up to 20,000 MT, are accepted
These Quotas have been subject to bilateral negotiations to allow market access for Uganda Sugar.
We request that Tanzania to remove quantitative restrictions. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
Tanzania removed all restrictions related to Sugar from the Community. The two Partner States to trade in normal EAC terms. |
|
|
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-001-275 |
2.3. Issues related to the rules of origin |
2025-08-18 |
Tanzania: Namanga |
Kenya |
Resolved
2025-11-25 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
The Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA) Customs has raised doubts regarding the Certificate of Origin issued by the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA). However, TRA has failed to provide any written explanation for its objections and has refused to verify the certificate directly with KRA via email.
As a result, the goods have been held at the Namanga border, causing delays and financial losses to the consignee. This action by TRA Customs constitutes a violation of the EAC Protocols and Regulations, undermines the rights of the importer, and damages the legitimate business interests of Kenyan enterprises engaged in intra-EAC trade. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
The goods were released without any payment. |
|
|
NTB-001-283 |
1.7. Discriminatory or flawed government procurement policies |
2025-07-07 |
Tanzania: TRA |
Kenya |
Resolved
2026-02-05 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Tanzania imposition of discriminatory EXCISE DUTY OF TZS 400/KG on exports/Transfers that hinders ON SAFETY MATCHES export from Kenya into Tanzania. The same is not subjecting to SAFETY MATCHES manufactured in Tanzania. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
The REC Focal point advised that this matter is in the courts therefore cannot be considered as NTB. |
|
|
NTB-001-287 |
2.6. Additional taxes and other charges |
2025-09-04 |
Tanzania: TRA |
Kenya |
Resolved
2025-11-25 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
URT denial of the preferential treatment to blankets that have been manufactured in Kenya and instead subjecting the blankets to full CET of 25% duty on the blankets transferred from Kenya into URT by Spinner and Spinners LTD with reason that the company is benefitting from DRS. The raw material used in the manufacture of the blankets is EAC wide remission on HS Code 5402.33.00 as a regionally eligible code under the DRS. The affected consignment is Assessment Ref: TRA Namanga, Entry Ref. 158254115-25-9900817 subjecting to 25% duty. This creates an unfair trade barrier, distorts competition, and frustrates intra-EAC trade integration goals.
URT to grant preferential treatment to blankets enjoying regional DRS
|
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
The consignee did not request for preferential tariff treatment when making his declaration and thus he was required to pay a total tax of Tshs 37 million. Later an amendment was done on 11th October 2025 and currently the taxes assessed are Tshs 13 million. This resolved the matter. |
|
|
NTB-000-040 |
2.3. Issues related to the rules of origin |
2005-05-29 |
Sudan: Ministry of Trade |
Egypt |
Resolved
2010-11-22 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Non adherence of 35% value added
Egypt complained that the Authorities in Sudan denied access on Egyptian Shaving Blades market due to non-adherence with 35% value addition. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
Sudan reported that the issue was resolved through the COMESA Customs and Trade Committee. (Report of the COMESA Customs & Trade Committee) |
|
|
Products:
|
8212.20: Safety razor blades of base metal, incl. razor blade blanks in strips |
|
|
NTB-000-041 |
2.3. Issues related to the rules of origin |
2004-12-22 |
Sudan: Ministry of Trade |
Kenya |
Resolved
2010-11-22 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Non recognition of Certificate of Origin (case outstanding since 2001)
Kenya complained that the Authorities in Sudan refused to recognise the COMESA Certificate of Origin from Kenya on exports of Galvanised Steel Pipes |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
Sudan reported that the issue was resolved through the COMESA Customs and Trade Committee. (Report of the COMESA Customs & Trade Committee) |
|
|
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-000-720 |
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-000-344 |
7.8. Consular and Immigration Issues |
2009-12-18 |
South Africa: Ministry of Transport |
Zambia |
Resolved
2011-01-07 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
South Africa trucks with Zimbabwean and Zambian drivers are being impounded and at times foreign drivers get fined by the South African Cross Border Transport Agency for not possessing South African Professional Driving Permits disregarding section 32(3) of the National Road Traffic Act (Act No. 93 of 1996) which stipulates that "any document , serving a purpose similar to that of a professional driving permit issued by a competent authority , be deemed to be a professional driving permit".
This has been a serious issue for many years and rears its head every now and then. ( |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
South Africa reported that Zimbabwean driving a Zimbabwean registered vehicle only need to produce a credit card metal licence with a category for the Public drivers for heavy vehicles marked '2', endorsement of medical certificate and expiry date at the back of the licence.
Drivers driving a vehicle not registered in Zimbabwe should produce an A5 size white booklet type licence, International driving permit equivalent of a Proffessional Driving Permit in South Africa issued by Automobile association of Zimbabwe. An AA stamp indicating category for heavy vehicle will be displayed on the right handside of the document.
Zambian public drivers licences are similar to those of South Africa issued with a C1 to EC category of licences with endorsement (PrDP) .However the Zambian driving licences have 'P', which means passengers and 'G' indicating goods and th expiry date next to these categories
|
|
|
NTB-000-088 |
2.6. Additional taxes and other charges |
2009-07-23 |
South Africa: South African Revenue Services |
Namibia |
Resolved
2011-06-08 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
South Africa charging an import levy on beer |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
South Africa reported that beer is traded free under SADC and 5%/litre under SACU (Source: Jacobsens tariff book) |
|
|
NTB-000-090 |
2.8. Lengthy and costly customs clearance procedures |
2009-07-26 |
South Africa: SouthAfrica Revenue Services |
Mauritius |
Resolved
2011-03-09 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
There are delays in VAT refunds for Mauritian importers of South African goods. It is also not clear whether the VAT refunds re only for those companies that use South African imports. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
South Africa reported that this is no longer existing |
|
|
NTB-000-090 |
2.8. Lengthy and costly customs clearance procedures |
2009-07-26 |
South Africa: SouthAfrica Revenue Services |
Mauritius |
Resolved
2011-03-09 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
There are delays in VAT refunds for Mauritian importers of South African goods. It is also not clear whether the VAT refunds re only for those companies that use South African imports. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
South Africa reported that this is no longer existing |
|
|
NTB-000-090 |
2.8. Lengthy and costly customs clearance procedures |
2009-07-26 |
South Africa: SouthAfrica Revenue Services |
Mauritius |
Resolved
2011-03-09 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
There are delays in VAT refunds for Mauritian importers of South African goods. It is also not clear whether the VAT refunds re only for those companies that use South African imports. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
South Africa reported that this is no longer existing |
|
|
NTB-000-091 |
2.3. Issues related to the rules of origin |
2009-07-26 |
South Africa: SouthAfrica Revenue Services |
Mauritius |
Resolved
2011-03-09 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
South Africa is not accepting the certificate of origin for cake decorations from Mauritius. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
South Africa reported that this is no longer existing |
|
|
NTB-000-303 |
2.7. International taxes and charges levied on imports and other tariff measures |
2009-09-09 |
South Africa: Department of Trade and Industry |
Madagascar |
Resolved
2010-07-22 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Complex tariff and other import tax structure |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
South Africa reported that both countries are members of SADC hence SADC tariff reduction schedules apply |
|
|
NTB-000-219 |
2.3. Issues related to the rules of origin |
2009-07-28 |
South Africa: South Africa Revenue Services |
Zambia |
Resolved
2010-07-22 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
SARS is issuing a blue colour SADC certificate of origin with wrong specifications instead of the approved Yellow certificate which is in accordance to the SADC specifications. Zambia Revenue Authority has rejected the blue certificates and demanded that Zambian importers pay full duties as deposits in order to clear their cargo which would have qualified under the SADC rules of origin had a proper certificate been issued. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
South Afric areported that SARS corrected the anomally and are noiw issuing correct colour certificate of origin |
|
|
NTB-000-349 |
6.2. Administrative fees |
2010-02-10 |
South Africa: Ministry of Transport |
Mozambique |
Resolved
2011-03-09 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
South Africa charges on refrigerated trucks that come to pick bananas from Mozambique are too high |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
South Africa reported that this is no longer existing |
|
English
Français
