| Complaint number |
NTB Type
|
Date of incident |
Location |
Reporting country or region (additional) |
Status |
Actions |
|
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-000-728 |
2.6. Additional taxes and other charges |
2016-11-01 |
Zambia: Kazungula Ferry |
Botswana |
Resolved
2018-01-25 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Importers of beans, ground nuts and sweet potatoes from Zambia into Botswana have complained that they have of late, been charged amount in excess on BWP 1 000 by some Zambian border authority for which receipts are never issued. A number of those complaints have revealed that no receipts were issued to denote what the BWP 1 000 was being paid for. No explanation was also given. These importers have, while in Zambia paid all the charges relating to phytosanitary and other charges for their goods-receipts for such are duly produced.
The additional charge is suspected to be charged without any legal basis from Zambia Government. This additional charge is placing a burden on small traders whose livelihood depends on selling the products in Botswana. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
On 25th January 2018, Zambia reported that no Zambian Border Authority Charges this Fee and without receipt for that matter. Border Agencies suspect this could be a case of false representation of a Government agency. The matter will be passed on to security wings for further interrogation. If additional information could be availed to assist in identifying those involved. This NTB is considered resolved. |
|
|
Products:
|
1202.41: Groundnuts, in shell (excl. seed for sowing, roasted or otherwise cooked) |
|
|
NTB-000-734 |
2.6. Additional taxes and other charges |
2017-01-09 |
Malawi: Muchinji |
Zambia |
Resolved
2017-09-15 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Whenever we have to be attended to by border officers on the Malawian side during the weekend, we are charged a fee which they term 'over-time', amounting to K1,000 Malawian Kwacha, which charge is not levied on the Zambian side. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
During the 33rd Meeting of the COMESA Customs and Trade meeting held on 12 -15 September 2017, in Antananarivo, Madagascar, Malawi reported that the NTB had been resolved. |
|
|
NTB-000-799 |
2.6. Additional taxes and other charges
Policy/Regulatory |
2018-01-08 |
Kenya: Namanga |
|
Resolved
2018-11-16 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Tanzania does not give preferential treatment to printed labels manufactured in Kenya by SKANEM LTD and exported into Tanzania. Entry No.TZNG18-1016642. Export suspended. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
During the SCTIFI meeting held on 16 November2018, Tanzania and Kenya reported that the two Partner States had
identified and resolved the issues causing the NTB |
|
|
Products:
|
4821.90: Paper or paperboard labels of all kinds, non-printed |
|
|
NTB-000-801 |
2.6. Additional taxes and other charges |
2018-02-28 |
Zambia: Ministry of Trade. |
Malawi |
Resolved
2019-08-20 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
1. CORI (Capital Oil Refining Industries) Ltd intend to export cooking oil and soya bean cake into Zambia. However, the
company has been advised to pay 5% SGS surcharge on export of its product into Zambia.
2. The company (CORI Ltd) is also considering to register a company in Zambia in which case they have been advised that they require an import permit from Zambian Authorities for every consignment (of cooking oil and soya bean cake) that will be sent to Zambia. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
During the bilateral consultations between Zambia and Malawi at the TFTA NTBs Focal points meeting held on 19- 21 August 2019 , Malawi confirmed that the issues has been resolved. |
|
|
NTB-000-801 |
2.6. Additional taxes and other charges |
2018-02-28 |
Zambia: Ministry of Trade. |
Malawi |
Resolved
2019-08-20 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
1. CORI (Capital Oil Refining Industries) Ltd intend to export cooking oil and soya bean cake into Zambia. However, the
company has been advised to pay 5% SGS surcharge on export of its product into Zambia.
2. The company (CORI Ltd) is also considering to register a company in Zambia in which case they have been advised that they require an import permit from Zambian Authorities for every consignment (of cooking oil and soya bean cake) that will be sent to Zambia. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
During the bilateral consultations between Zambia and Malawi at the 5th TFTA NTBs Focal points meeting, Malawi confirmed that the issues has been resolved. We again propose that it be marked as resolved. |
|
|
NTB-000-802 |
2.6. Additional taxes and other charges |
2018-02-28 |
Zimbabwe: Ministry of Industry & Commerce Zimbabwe |
Malawi |
Resolved
2019-10-12 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
CORI Ltd visited Zimbabwe last year to explore their local market to check if there is potential for their products (cooking oil). CORI Ltd discovered that they could not export cooking oil into Zimbabwe as the government in Zimbabwe has instituted Statutory Instrument (S.I 64) that banned imports of a variety of products (cooking oil is one of them).
Zimbabwe also has 40% (or $0.50/litre) duty on cooking oil imports |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
During the national workshop to launch the SSMS tool for Zimbabwe and training for NMC, Zimbabwe reported that the consolidated SI 122 removed the requirement for import and export licences on some products including cooking oil. |
|
|
NTB-000-836 |
2.6. Additional taxes and other charges
Policy/Regulatory |
2018-10-26 |
Tanzania: Tanzania Dairy Board |
Rwanda |
Resolved
2023-02-20 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Milk exported to Tanzania attracts numerous charges collected by different institutions including Tanzania Bureau of Standards, Tanzania Foods and Drugs Authority and Tanzania Dairy Board.
Also, to import a kilogramme of milk in Tanzania, under the newly signed Animal Diseases and Animal Products Movement Control Regulations published on 31st August 2018 (Government Notice No 476) and which entered into force on 1st October 2018, Tanzania now requires to pay Tsh 2,000 on milk imported from outside the country from Tsh150. This is a 1,233% increase (https://allafrica.com/stories/201810030671.html ).
This is a total ban since milk imported cannot compete with the local one. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
URT reported to the regional meeting that TFDA does not exist, TBS and TMDA do not charge. Hence the issue of numerous charges is resolved. The Tanzania Dairy Board Charges have been revised from 2,000 to 1,000 through Government Notice number 478 of July 2022. The remaining charge is part of the ongoing process of harmonization of fees, levies, and charges. Hence the meeting agreed that the NTB is resolved. |
|
|
NTB-000-837 |
2.6. Additional taxes and other charges
Policy/Regulatory |
2018-10-23 |
Kenya: Mombasa sea port |
Uganda |
Resolved
2018-11-16 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Imposition of withholding tax of 20% on demurrage charges by Kenya. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
NTB was resolved during the SCTIFI |
|
|
NTB-000-852 |
2.6. Additional taxes and other charges |
2018-07-05 |
Tanzania: Ministry of LiveStock |
Kenya |
Resolved
2018-11-16 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Increase of Import and Export fees on animal and animal products by Tanzania. Tanzania has amended the “Animals & Animal Products Movement Control (Amended) Regulations, 2018” that has increased the charges. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
The CoC guided that:-
Refer the imposition of additional levies under the animal diseases (Livestock Markets) Regulations, 2018 by URT under Government Notice 476 of 31st August 2018 to SCTIFI.
The Secretariat guided that where national laws impose levies on imports and exports, this should not apply to goods originating within the EAC.
URT informed the meeting that such charges exist in other Partner States.
The SCTIFI meeting agreedthat this guidance should therefore be applicable to all Partner States.
The matter was resolved. |
|
|
NTB-000-874 |
2.6. Additional taxes and other charges |
2017-05-05 |
Tanzania: Tunduma |
Rwanda |
Resolved
2018-11-16 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Escorted trucks carrying Zambia brown sugar and white maize in transit to Rwanda are forced to pay to Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA) Tunduma border station a sum of Tsh 960,000 to accompany trucks. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
Mtera route is the shortest to transit to Rwanda and the route was not yet gazetted.
It was recommended to geo-map all the transit routes and gazette the Mtera route. The Mtera route was gazetted vide Legal Notice No. 48 of 10th May, 2018.
The NTB was resolved |
|
|
NTB-000-879 |
2.6. Additional taxes and other charges |
2017-05-05 |
Tanzania: TRA |
Kenya |
Resolved
2018-11-16 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Tanzania Revenue Authority imposes a Weights and measures levy at 2% of the customs value for every export. The levy is not being picked on the customs entries as is the norm but on a different collection sheet raising questions on authenticity of the levy |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
Tanzania reported that this is a weight and measures levy that is paid by all including Tanzania exporters and hence it is not an NTB. The Meeting recommended that the levy should be harmonised across EAC Partner States. And hence considered the NTB Resolved. |
|
|
NTB-000-883 |
2.6. Additional taxes and other charges
Policy/Regulatory |
2018-12-17 |
Kenya: KRA |
Tanzania |
Resolved
2019-04-27 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Introduction of Tax Stamp/Printed Codes:
Under the Kenya Excise Act of 2015, the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) introduced either tax stamp or printed codes on beer and KEG manufactured or imported into Kenya with effect from 1st February 2016 at the cost of KShs. 1.50 per stamp with a manual application which raises the cost to USD 5.5/hl. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
During the Bilateral Meeting between Tanzania and Kenya held on 23rd - 27th April, 2019 in Arusha, Tanzania.Kenya reported that this is a domestic function under the Domestic laws and falls under the Domestic Tax Harmonization.
Tanzania requested Kenya to consider lowering the charges and the fees should be issued electronically. Kenya recommended to wait for domestic harmonization process to be completed.
Recommendation: Both Parties agreed to handle the matter under domestic tax harmonization ad therefore matter is resolved. |
|
|
NTB-000-948 |
2.6. Additional taxes and other charges |
2019-12-01 |
Tanzania: Tanzania Revenue Authority |
Kenya |
Resolved
2020-09-10 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
TRA arbitrary uplifting values of Kenya products by uplifting of customs invoice values for Kenyan manufactured products
-increase of value of CO2
-Milk and milk products
|
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
The SCTIFI agreed that the issue is operational; KRA and TRA should discuss and resolve it.Hence it is resolved from the EAC Time-Bound Programme |
|
|
NTB-000-964 |
2.6. Additional taxes and other charges |
2020-06-01 |
Kenya: Nairobi ICD |
Rwanda |
Resolved
2020-11-24 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Introduction of the new verification/inspection tariff at Nairobi ICD (80 USD for 20 feet containers and 120 USD for 40 feet containers by Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) due to outsourcing of labor to conduct inspections and verification on behalf of KBS and KRA |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
After investigations, Kenya confirm that;-
- The charges are in accordance to the existing KPA tariff applicable to both local and transit cargo where labour is required to provide verification/stripping and stuffing services.
- The verification charges are applicable to only those containers that have been targeted for verification by Customs/other Government cargo intervening Agencies and or on customers request
- Clients have the option of either using the outsourced service provider or seeking for an approval from Customs for their containers to be released under seal for destination verification at their warehouses.
-There are no charges for sight and release mode of verification
This NTB is therefore resolved |
|
|
NTB-001-010 |
2.6. Additional taxes and other charges |
2020-03-20 |
Uganda: Busia |
Kenya |
Resolved
2022-06-14 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
INIQUITOUS TAX AND RESTRICTION OF TRADE
In order to export poultry products to Uganda, a Kenyan farmer/producer is charged 18% VAT, 6% withholding tax and 1% road levy. This is 25% cumulative tax payable to Uganda Revenue Authority (URA). It is important to note that in Uganda chicken is not vatable, yet they charge VAT on chicken from Kenya. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
On 14 June 2022, the EAC Secretariat reported that the SCTIFI meeting was informed that Uganda Law provides that processed chicken is charged VAT and is not discriminatory.
The meeting agreed that it was not an NTB and therefore resolved |
|
|
Products:
|
0207.13: Fresh or chilled cuts and edible offal of fowls of the species Gallus domesticus |
|
|
NTB-001-007 |
2.6. Additional taxes and other charges |
2021-02-25 |
Zambia: Livingstone |
|
Resolved
2021-11-29 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
A member of the South African Brand owners Association is experiencing push back from Zambia’s Ministry of Health in that they do not want to issue the Zambian importers a Health Clearance certificate unless the product has been subjected to re-testing in Zambia.
The association presented the Certificate of Analysis issued by South African Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development which is responsible for analysis of products in South Africa, which was rejected by Zambia authorities.
The importers ended up going to meet the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Health to plead their case for clearance of which the Ministry said that they could not advise on which specific metals to test and advised that for future reference and to avoid this occurring again, the importers may use the former certificates to identify the metals that are present to enable the lab to test accurately. The example attached by the Ministry was for the inclusion of the following tests:
Natamycin
Sorbic Acid
Zinc – ZN
Copper – CU
Iron – FE
Lead – PB
For years the South African Health Clearance Certificate was accepted. The duplication of test conducted results in the below additional costs for our importer:
R240 per wine selected. We export 202 skus. If we have to test all of them at least once a year then we will spend R48 480 annually to confirm that our products are in spect.
Following the meeting with Ministry of Health , the Zambian importers reported that some past COA’s have successfully now managed to gain clearance for 2021 Q1 and Q2. We would appreciate if this matter can be resolved. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
A meeting held on 29 November 2021 between the Zambian Health Authority , DTIC and affected stakeholders . resolved the matter as follows:
1. Undertaking by Zambia to finish South Africa with the copy of the Regulations.
2. Acceptance of the South African Health Clearance Certificate
3. Testing of products once a year instead of bi-annually. |
|
|
NTB-001-042 |
2.6. Additional taxes and other charges |
2021-12-13 |
Uganda: Malaba |
Kenya |
Resolved
2022-05-05 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Uganda denial of preferential market access for footwear manufactured in Kenya by Umoja Rubber |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
Uganda Focal Point advised that this assessment was done before full declaration. The consignment wasn't charged all the indicated taxes after submission of relevant origin documents as in the attachment posted in the system. |
|
|
Products:
|
6402.99: Footwear with outer soles and uppers of rubber or plastics (excl. covering the ankle or with upper straps or thongs assembled to the sole by means of plugs, waterproof footwear of heading 6401, sports footwear, orthopaedic footwear and toy footwear) |
|
|
NTB-001-061 |
2.6. Additional taxes and other charges
Policy/Regulatory |
2021-12-28 |
|
Uganda |
Resolved
2022-06-14 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Republic of South Sudan is imposing a digital border security Control Tag of 100 USD and a control fee of 30 USD at every entry or exit. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
On 14 June 2022, EAC Secretariat reported that the SCTIFI meeting was informed that the order was revoked and hence the NTB was resolved. |
|
|
NTB-001-079 |
2.6. Additional taxes and other charges |
2022-10-24 |
Uganda: Uganda Revenue Authority |
Kenya |
Resolved
2023-05-10 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
RESUBMITION
DISCRIMINATORY CHARGES BY UGANDA : 18% VAT ON FROZEN WHOLE CHICKEN
In order to export poultry products to Uganda, a Kenyan farmer/producer is charged 18% VAT. It is important to note that in Uganda chicken is not vatable, yet they charge VAT on chicken from EAC countries.
The issue had been reported under NTB-001-010 and indicated as resolved. However, on checking in the URA system, VAT is still charged on frozen whole chicken meat |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
The NTB was considered and resolved under NTB-001-010. The new evidence provided was incomplete and could not furnish Uganda with enough information. Hence the issue is still considered resolved. |
|
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