| Complaint number |
NTB Type
|
Date of incident |
Location |
Reporting country or region (additional) |
Status |
Actions |
|
NTB-000-878 |
2.8. Lengthy and costly customs clearance procedures |
2019-01-29 |
South Africa: Maseru Bridge |
Lesotho |
Resolved
2019-02-01 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
We are experiencing delays by SARS customs who are taking time to inspect our container that is in transit. The delay is causing difficulties to meet the vessel to carry the shipment as it will be closing on Thursday 31st January at 06:00am and we are running out of time. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
This NTB was resolved too late and the consignment missed the vessel thereby adding to transport costs. Lesotho reported that:
1. The inspection took long resulting in the consignment missing the vessel in Durban Harbour; trader incurred additional costs by taking the consignment to Cape Town instead of Durban; and
2. the congsinor was charged provisional payments upon the release of the consignment.
Lesotho observed that SARS treatment of Lesotho transit goods compromises prospects of Lesotho's international trade opportunities as the country seeks to expand and diversify both products and markets to contribute to economic growth and poverty reductionNTB Focal Point in South Africa are requested to assist in clarifying the situation on inspection with SARS at Maseru Border Post to expedite the process. |
|
|
NTB-000-891 |
2.8. Lengthy and costly customs clearance procedures |
2019-04-09 |
South Africa: Cape Town |
Eswatini |
Resolved
2020-02-04 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
SARs stopped containers for inspection and are demanding proof of payment from consignee/buyer to the exporting company (Supplier) for the goods in transit to Eswatini. The affected company, Long Wei Investments are experiencing delays and incurring storage and demurrage charges at the port of discharge in Cape Town. SARS has withheld the consignment for over seven days from 9th April 2019. SARs are asking for different documentation at different times and dates thereby further delaying the inspection process and release of the consignments. The affected products are on Bill of Lading No. COSU6198384160 |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
The Focal Point for Eswatini reported that the matter had been resolved. |
|
|
NTB-000-895 |
8.8. Issues related to transit |
2019-08-08 |
South Africa: Durban sea Port |
Lesotho |
Resolved
2020-02-25 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Container been detention for physical exam for too long now, which will delay our exports. The requested documents were provided long time. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
On 25 Februaru 2020, Lesotho Focal Point reported that the complaint had confirmed that the container had been released |
|
|
NTB-000-894 |
3. Technical barriers to trade (TBT)
B9: TBT Measures n.e.s. |
2019-05-14 |
South Africa: Maseru Bridge |
Lesotho |
Resolved
2019-05-22 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
SARS inspection process takes too long thereby delaying transit of goods destined for the Port. TZICC Clothing Manufacture, requesting SARS to expedite clearance of their declaration which was done last May 14, 2019. The container has not been cleared as at Wednesday 22 May 2019 our Container has not been release yet. The Export Container is going to United States of America and there is a schedule that the company need to meet specially the vessel Stack Dates in Durban. Case # 313253631 was pending since Wednesday and it took so long for SARS to answer or response on the query. 1st we do the VOC 2nd they ask for the Sales Contract 3rd they ask for the Provisional Payment amounting R28866.87 which was already done paying Friday 17 May 2019, everything was uploaded on Friday but SARS has not responded as on 22 May 2019. TZICC are not in a position to know what is going on as SARS are not answering on the system.
This container will cost a lot if the consignment misses the vessel again in Capetown just because of SARS Customs. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
On 22 May 2019, South Africa Focal Point reported that discrepancies that were picked up which resulted in the delay of the declared consignment were rectified. The case has been finalised and released. |
|
|
NTB-000-898 |
2.13. Issues related to Pre-Shipment Inspections |
2019-05-30 |
South Africa: SGS South Africa |
Mauritius |
Resolved
2020-01-17 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
All consignments subject to Pre-Shipment Verification of Conformity (PVoC) must obtain the Certificate of Confirmity (CoC) prior to shipment.
On average, it takes SGS South Africa about 3-5 days to respond to a request made by the exporter for issuing the CoC, and it takes them further 15-20 days to produce the CoC. In the meantime, the Mauritian exporting company has to incur several financial constraints while waiting for the CoC. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
On 17 January 2020, Mauritius Focal Point advised that the exporter has negotiated with SGS South Africa to reduce the number of days taken to obtain the Certificate of Conformity (CoC). SGS South Africa is taking a maximum of 12 days to process the CoC instead of 25 days.
The exporter has advised that they are now satisfied with the processing time. |
|
|
NTB-000-962 |
5.4. Quotas |
2020-04-07 |
South Africa: International Trade Administration Commission of South Africa (ITAC)
South African Revenue Services (SARS) |
|
Resolved
2020-11-26 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Export permits were identified by participants as a major issue in South Africa but not an issue outside South Africa. To apply for an export permit, a company engaging in international trade concurrently applies for the export permit approval from the International Trade Administration Commission of South Africa (ITAC), Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (DTIC) and the National Department of Health (NDOH). Once approved by DTIC and NDOH, ITAC provides the exporter with a permit. Once the permit is issued by ITAC, the exporter will send the permit approval to South African Revenue Services (SARS) to issue a customs clearance for export to take place. However, one could have an ITAC permit and not have a SARS customs clearance. Without the SARS clearance, medicines will not be exported.
The issue of export permits is discussed in detail below:
1. Due to the COVID-19, South Africa restricted the export of pharmaceutical products to meet domestic demand. While the objective to meet domestic demand is noble, the challenge is that some medicines limited to export permits are unrelated to COVID-19.
2. Also, application forms keep changing even after engagements with stakeholders with the export products restricted under a single HS code.
3. Another challenge is that essential medicines that are exempt from export permits are subject to export permits. This violates SADC regional guidelines for harmonising and facilitating movement of critical goods and services across the region during the COVID-19
4. Products that are readily available locally are also subjected to export permits (the exception being countries in the Southern Africa Customs Union-SACU). This in turn restricts movement of lifesaving medicines to needy markets and affects company profitability.
5. Participants also highlighted frustration with the slow approval of permits (although it is improving) in South Africa by the International Trade Administration Committee (ITAC), South Africa’s Department of Trade and Industry which is received in a fragmented fashion, resulting in delays, thereby putting products at risk.
6. The above challenges on export permits in South Africa were confirmed by a participant from Mauritius. According to the participant, his company has been unable to order new stock from South Africa since March 2020. Their stock has been depleted due to delays in issuance of export permits by ITAC.
7. Lastly, participants also expressed their frustration with the slow processes by the SARS in processing customs clearance of export permits and noting that the requirements are changing on a regular basis without proper notice.
|
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
Following a series of meetings organised by the SADC Business Council and subsequent follow-ups with the Department of Trade Industry and Competition (DTIC) in South Africa, the DTIC on 26 November 2020 amended the COVID-19 export control regulation issued in February 2020 which removed, with immediate effect, the restrictions on export of essential
medicines for SADC countries. |
|
|
NTB-001-041 |
3. Technical barriers to trade (TBT)
B6: Product identity requirement |
2021-11-04 |
South Africa: Beit Bridge |
Zimbabwe |
Resolved
2021-11-22 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
South Africa Port Health officials demanding an extended description on one of our products. The product is a sweet type described as Apricots on both packaging and invoice but the officials want us to have the packaging written Apricots sweets. We have been exporting the sweet to South Africa for more than 5 years. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
The company had been allowed to export its consignment to South Africa after removing prohibited products. The NTB was resolved are following required procedures |
|
|
Products:
|
2008.50: Apricots, prepared or preserved, whether or not containing added sugar or other sweetening matter or spirit (excl. preserved with sugar but not laid in syrup, jams, fruit jellies, marmalades, fruit purée and pastes, obtained by cooking) |
|
|
NTB-001-062 |
3. Technical barriers to trade (TBT)
B31: Labelling requirements |
2022-03-22 |
South Africa: Beit Bridge |
Zimbabwe |
Resolved
2022-06-13 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Our Company is experiencing discretional acceptance of labelling of Arenel sweets by Port Health South Africa. We export jelly sweets among other products to the Republic of South Africa and our packaging has a sticker written “Jelly Babies” and does not state the word “Sweets”. The majority of sweets sold in the importing country (RSA) have similar packaging. On the 22nd of March 2022 our truck was stopped by Port Health South Africa at Beitbridge Border Post and the officials demanded that our truck return to Zimbabwe with the full load because the product labelling does not conform to the importing country`s labelling requirements. It seems there is no uniformity in the Port Health officials at Beit Bridge Border Posts are accepting labelling requirements for sweets entering RSA. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
The SA Port Health Authority committed issued Arenel with a six months exemption ( 13 June - 13 December 2022) to continue with their exports to South Africa of apricots and jelly sweets. |
|
|
NTB-001-117 |
2.10. Inadequate or unreasonable customs procedures and charges |
2023-05-02 |
South Africa: Maseru Bridge |
Lesotho |
Resolved
2024-05-31 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
We have done trade with Eswatini for 33 years and tried to be fully compliant with SARS, but they keep changing the rules and moving the goal posts. We have paid R709,000-00 in provisional VAT taxes that have not been returned to my Company via our clearing agent, Kayhil Freight. Kayhil Freight says that SARS is not processing the acquittal documents and paying them. I do not know who is telling the truth, but we remain short on cash flow by R709,000-00 despite submitting each acquittal on time and without fault. SARS officials are now insisting on Removal in Bond licenses for us to use our own vehicles to deliver to customers in Eswatini, and as such we are not allowed to cross the border. We have been charged Penalties, despite trying to follow the rules imposed by SARS. Please help us we are desperate. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
Lesotho Focal Point reported that the NTB had been resolved successfully |
|
|
Products:
|
3003.90: Medicaments consisting of two or more constituents mixed together for therapeutic or prophylactic uses, not in measured doses or put up for retail sale (excl. antibiotics containing hormones or steroids used as hormones, but not containing antibiotics, al |
|
|
NTB-001-144 |
2.13. Issues related to Pre-Shipment Inspections |
2023-11-10 |
South Africa: Durban sea Port |
Lesotho |
Resolved
2024-05-31 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
The Release Documents is 7 days prior to vessel arrival because of cargo dues and upon receiving Arrival Notice. The EDI document was sent for release on the 9th of November 2023 the query came in on the 10th of November 2023, and normally it would be released in less than 6 hours but up to date it hasn't been released. We need the import urgently to be released in order to avoid any delays with our Export Orders. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
Lesotho Focal Point reported that the NTB had been resolved successfully |
|
|
Products:
|
6006.32: Dyed fabrics, knitted or crocheted, of synthetic fibres, of a width of > 30 cm (excl. warp knit fabrics "incl. those made on galloon knitting machines", those containing by weight >= 5% of elastomeric yarn or rubber thread, and pile fabrics, incl. "long and 6006.34: Printed fabrics, knitted or crocheted, of synthetic fibres, of a width of > 30 cm (excl. warp knit fabrics "incl. those made on galloon knitting machines", those containing by weight >= 5% of elastomeric yarn or rubber thread, and pile fabrics, incl. "lo |
|
|
NTB-001-148 |
1.9. Determination of eligibility of an exporting country by the importing country |
2023-11-23 |
South Africa: Durban sea Port |
Lesotho |
Resolved
2024-05-31 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Pls kindly see below containers that are to be stopped by SARS.
1. MSKU0755208(Case No.: 480816390), vessel will berth on 27/11
2. MRKU3124436(Case No.: 480819630), vessel will berth on 27/11
3. NYKU4442550(Case No.: 480020360), vessel will berth on 3/12
4. BSIU9818016 (Case No.: 480069900),vessel will berth on 3/12
As you know all vessels delayed so long more than 1 month. Our productions are waiting for the materials. We urgently need all the materials for the garments of export. Pls urgently help to release all these containers.
Highly appreciated |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
Lesotho Focal Point reported that the NTB had been resolved successfully |
|
|
Products:
|
6003.30: Knitted or crocheted fabrics of synthetic fibres, of a width of <= 30 cm (excl. those containing by weight >= 5% of elastomeric yarn or rubber thread, and pile fabrics, incl. "long pile", looped pile fabrics, labels, badges and similar articles, knitted |
|
|
NTB-001-149 |
1.9. Determination of eligibility of an exporting country by the importing country |
2023-11-24 |
South Africa: Durban sea Port |
Lesotho |
Resolved
2024-04-04 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Pls see below container No. which is to be stopped by Sars.
RSU6006851 Case No.: 480928296 Vessel will berth on 27/11
As you know all vessels in Durban delayed so long more than one month. There are Fabric and Accessaries in this container. We urgently need the Fabric and Accessaries from our import containers for export. Pls kindly urgently help to release the container.
Highly appreciated |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
Good day,
This issue is resolved. Kindly mark it as resolved.
Kind Regards,
Rendani |
|
|
Products:
|
6003.30: Knitted or crocheted fabrics of synthetic fibres, of a width of <= 30 cm (excl. those containing by weight >= 5% of elastomeric yarn or rubber thread, and pile fabrics, incl. "long pile", looped pile fabrics, labels, badges and similar articles, knitted |
|
|
NTB-000-120 |
2.8. Lengthy and costly customs clearance procedures |
2009-07-26 |
Seychelles: Ministry of Trade |
Seychelles |
Resolved
2010-07-29 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
The administrative procedures for issuing import licences require improved efficiency |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
Seychelles reported that Infrastructural and human resources limitations being addressed |
|
|
NTB-000-121 |
2.8. Lengthy and costly customs clearance procedures |
2009-07-26 |
Seychelles: Customs |
Eswatini |
Resolved
2011-06-03 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
There is total lack of consistency in the application of customs procedures at all clearing offices. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
Seychelles reportd that the situation has much improved with ASYCUDA++ |
|
|
NTB-000-122 |
2.7. International taxes and charges levied on imports and other tariff measures |
2009-07-26 |
Seychelles: Customs |
Seychelles |
Resolved
2011-06-03 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Seychelles has recently imposed a levy on imports of pork and poultry products into that country |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
Seychelles reported that this is no longer the case |
|
|
NTB-000-118 |
1.3. State subsidies, procurement, trading, state ownership |
2009-07-26 |
Seychelles: Seychelles Marketing Board |
Seychelles |
Resolved
2010-11-22 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
The State participates in trading through the Seychelles marketing Board. The State Trading Company has an unfair competitive advantage over private traders. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
Seychelles reported that SMB no longer in existence. Successor company STC privatised. |
|
|
NTB-000-119 |
2.8. Lengthy and costly customs clearance procedures |
2009-07-26 |
Seychelles: Other Seychelles |
Seychelles |
Resolved
2010-11-22 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Lengthy clearing processes at the Seychelles ports. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
Seychelles reported that, with the Asycuda system the clearing process can take 24hrs, all transaction can be done on-line. Appointments were given to clear goods to facilitate work of custom officers and avoid congestion Need to confirm current situation |
|
|
NTB-000-123 |
7.9. Inadequate trade related infrastructure |
2009-07-26 |
Seychelles: Other Seychelles |
South Africa |
Resolved
2010-11-22 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Inadequate cold room facilities at ports |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
Seychelles reported that having adequate cold storage facility at airport and sea port is considered one future area of development. |
|
|
NTB-000-125 |
7.9. Inadequate trade related infrastructure
Policy/Regulatory |
2009-07-26 |
Seychelles: Port Victoria |
South Africa |
Resolved
2010-11-22 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Some businesses complained that port handling facilities at the ports are unable to handle containers that exceed 6methers (20ft) thereby limiting exporters in implementing the most cost effective way of transporting their products. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
Seychelles reported that a new plan for handling of containers has been designed and is expected to ease the current burden in the handling of containers; however it is not too clear when the renovation project will kick start. |
|
|
NTB-000-314 |
2.8. Lengthy and costly customs clearance procedures |
2009-09-09 |
Seychelles: Port Victoria |
Seychelles |
Resolved
2010-11-22 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
The clearing process is somewhat lengthy, and bureaucratic as appointments have to be made to clear goods |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
Seychelles reported that with the Asycuda system the clearing process can take 24hrs, all transaction can be done on-line. Appointments were given to clear goods to facilitate work of custom officers and avoid congestion at the port as handling capacity are limited. Need to confirm current situation. |
|
English
Français
