Resolved complaints

Showing items 421 to 440 of 930
Complaint number NTB Type
Category 1. Government participation in trade & restrictive practices tolerated by governments
Category 2. Customs and administrative entry procedures
Category 5. Specific limitations
Category 6. Charges on imports
Category 7. Other procedural problems
Category 8. Transport, Clearing and Forwarding
Date of incident Location
COMESA
EAC
SADC
Reporting country or region (additional)
COMESA
EAC
SADC
Status Actions
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-000-360 7.9. Inadequate trade related infrastructure 2010-02-10 Kenya: Ministry of Transport Tanzania Resolved
2011-07-28
View
Complaint: Kenya is not calibrating the weighbridges; therefore there is use of different weights. Leading to rampant Bribery activities taking place at the weigh bridges  
Resolution status note: At the NMC meeting held in Nairobi on 29 August 2011, Kenya reported the weighbridges have been automated such that weight is recorded online.  
NTB-000-191 7.9. Inadequate trade related infrastructure 2009-07-27 Mozambique: Ministry of Transport Malawi Resolved
2010-11-22
View
Complaint: Logistical bottlenecks along the Nacala and Beira rail routes have resulted in nearly 60% of Malawi's tobacco exports being sent overland to the more distant port of Durban.Nacala and Beira routes relatively expensive and inefficient.  
Resolution status note: This is a general complaint which Malawi could not folow up due to lack of specific information.  
NTB-000-322 7.9. Inadequate trade related infrastructure
Policy/Regulatory
2009-09-09 Seychelles: Victoria International Airport Seychelles Resolved
2010-11-22
View
Complaint: Inadequate cold room facilities at airports.  
Resolution status note: Seychelles reported that her membership in SADC, signing of the COMESA FTA and Seychelles acceding to the WTO, imports might increase specially for frozen goods. Having adequate cold storage facility at airport and sea port can be considered one future area of development  
NTB-000-384 7.9. Inadequate trade related infrastructure 2010-08-11 Mozambique: Tete Bridge Malawi Resolved
2011-07-28
View
Complaint: Drivers crossing through Tete bridge take 2-3 days of waiting to cross in both directions of the route.  
Resolution status note: At the 9th meeting of the SADC Sub-committee on trade facilitation, Mozambique reported that following completion of construction works, Tete bridge is now fully operational. There are no more delays at the Bridge since construction works have been completed  
NTB-000-387 7.9. Inadequate trade related infrastructure 2010-12-03 Zimbabwe: Victoria falls Zambia Resolved
2011-06-06
View
Complaint: Flt Ks 131 ACK 5928/ACE 6891 T/ ACC 4918 T. This vehicle has a GVM of 54.4 tons on the Lstone weighbridge but is declared at 57.13 tons in Vic Falls.

The truck has been refused a reweigh for 4 days which is against the normal practice.

This is an electronic weighbridge and from vast experience on Zambian weighbridges, it is suspected that the weight is recorded incorrectly by the operator pressing the enter button before the weighbridge settles and therefore recording a higher weight than actual.

Zimbabwe is also charging exccessive fines above the SADC recommended scale of fines by demanding a rate massively in excess. Zimbabwe also does not give a percentage allowance as per SADC agreement.
 
Resolution status note: On 06 June 2011, Zimbabwe reported that that the Victoria Falls Weighbridge was calibrated (standardised) in mid-March 2011. The Ministry of Industry and Commerce's Trade Measures Department together with the Vehicle Inspection Department (VID) carried out the standardisation process. Zimbabwe has not yet received any complaints since then.  
NTB-000-407 7.9. Inadequate trade related infrastructure 2011-03-07 Tanzania: Rusumo-Dar es Salaam Road Rwanda Resolved
2012-06-15
View
Complaint: Weigh Bridges permanent and Temporary ones.... they do not respect the papers that state the weight carried so they force the drivers to weigh another challenge is that, there is no uniformity in the weights that the various weigh bridges present.  
Resolution status note: The 10th meeting of SADC Trade Facilitation Committee held onb 14-15 June 2012 accpeted Tanzania's explaination that problem arises due to packaging and loading of containers at the port. If containers are not properly packed, goods move while on transit and affect weigh on an axle. Distribution of weight on an axle may be correct at point of departure, but after some distance, it may change as cargo moves. Since weighing is on axles not cargo, different
numbers may be recorded at a weigh bridge. It was reported that sensitization was already being undertaken to alert traders to reduce the possibility of movement of goods inside containers while in transit by packing properly.Tanzania is modernizing the weighing equipment so as to have electronic devices that cannot be tempered with and can keep records. This will contribute towards solving this problem. This NTb was therefore considered resolved on the basis of sensitization work in progress as well as modernisation programme.
 
NTB-000-413 7.9. Inadequate trade related infrastructure 2010-03-31 Zimbabwe: Kariba Zimbabwe Resolved
2011-07-28
View
Complaint: 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)  
Resolution status note: 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.  
Products: 0302.11: Fresh or chilled trout "Salmo trutta, Oncorhynchus mykiss, Oncorhynchus clarki, Oncorhynchus aguabonita, Oncorhynchus gilae, Oncorhynchus apache and Oncorhynchus chrysogaster"  
NTB-000-498 8.5. Infrastructure (Air, Port, Rail, Road, Border Posts,) 2012-03-14 Kenya: Mombasa sea port Rwanda Resolved
2014-12-11
View
Complaint: Congestion in the Dar-es- Salaam and Mombasa Ports  
Resolution status note: At the 16th EAC regional forum on non tariff barriers held in Kigali in December 2014, EAC Secretariat reported that the ports of Mombasa and Dar Es Salaam are implementing National single window system to redress delays at the ports. This NTB is therefore resolved  
NTB-000-502 8.5. Infrastructure (Air, Port, Rail, Road, Border Posts,) 2012-03-14 Kenya: Malaba Rwanda Resolved
2012-09-28
View
Complaint: Delays at Malaba border for trucks driving to Uganda due to lack of facilities at the border  
Resolution status note: The Focal points for Kenya and Rwanda reported that the scope of facilities reported missing at malaba include Air, Port, Rail, Road, Border Posts facilities and therefore making it quite difficult to address the NTB. It was therefore recommended that the NTB be removed from the system and any folow up complaint should be be reported accurately to reflect the true position of operations at the border in reference. Border posts facilities at Malaba are in place and operational.  
NTB-000-580 8.5. Infrastructure (Air, Port, Rail, Road, Border Posts,) 2013-04-17 Rwanda: Rusumo Rwanda Resolved
2014-07-02
View
Complaint: Lack of parking facilities at Rusumo Border Post is creating congestion and clearance delays.  
Resolution status note: On 03 July 2014 FESARTA reported that there were initiatives to improve this border post and so the NTB is resolved.  
NTB-000-798 8.5. Infrastructure (Air, Port, Rail, Road, Border Posts,) 2018-01-25 Zimbabwe: Forbes Zambia Resolved
2018-02-09
View
Complaint: Due to the topographic nature of the Forbes Border Post, trucks cannot be parked and cleared at the Border as it would create congestion. The trucks are allowed to proceed out of the Valley where the border is situated and must park in Customs Approved Yards in Mutare. Dry Cargo (Flat Decks) have a Dry Port Yard whilst Petroleum Tankers must park at the RMS Yard (Railway Maintenance Yard Customs created the yards to enable them to clear the loads.

1. Transporters are charged a fee to park in these RMS yards. This is an unnecessary charge and there is no evidence that the funds are used for the upkeep of the yard.

2. Despite the fact that this yard houses Dangerous Goods there is limited access control at a rickety gate. The perimeter is not suitably fenced. The view of the tankers is blocked from the main road by strategically placed defunct railway wagons. There is no access control and the yard is surrounded by a maze of tunnels and hedges where trade in stolen fuel is conducted. Third Party vehicles are allowed access to the yard and unfortunately siphoning from side tanks is evident. Given the lack of security staff, fencing and lighting, the situation worsens at nightfall. Recently truckers have been plagued by theft of items from trucks eg batteries from the trucks.

3. There are no facilities for the drivers. The congestion at Forbes is already well documented due to the failing Ascudya system and inefficiencies in the Customs Sealing process and drivers are stuck a minimum of 48 hours in this yard. There are no ablutions and limited access to running water. It is an inappropriate holding yard where a driver cannot rest before leaving on the next leg of his journey. When it rains, the area becomes a muddy morass
There are several truck yards in the area that are well equipped and offer the drivers clean facilities. Customs are requested to not charge for the RMS yard, clean it up and offer the appropriate security and facilities, or allow vehicles to park in other yards.

Transporters have brought this situation to the authorities before but to no avail. Its seems there are vested interests in keeping valuable cargo parked in this insecure area. Drivers are spending too long in filthy and dangerous conditions while being charged for a service that forms part of Customs responsibilities.
 
Resolution status note: On 9 Beruary 2018, Zimbabwe Revenue Authority advised that Vehicles with uncleared goods are sent to park at a Depot licenced and bonded to keep goods before Customs clearance. This is a privately owned premises which does not belong to Customs and therefore the owner charges for accommodating the trucks.
2. The concerns raised for RMS have since been addressed. Tankers are as from 7.2.18 being parked at a new premises (truck yard) while awaiting finalization of clearance process. The new premises has a perimeter fence, ablution facilities, showers and CCTVs
 
NTB-001-064 8.5. Infrastructure (Air, Port, Rail, Road, Border Posts,) 2022-03-24 Zambia: Mokambo Border to Mfulira Road Zimbabwe Resolved
2023-04-06
View
Complaint: The Mokambo Border to Mfulira road has become impassable with trucks getting stuck in the mud and being damaged as a result of the poor road condition  
Resolution status note: During the COMESA Regional capacity building workshop for National focal Points held in Rwanda from 3-6 April 2023, Zambia focal point reported that reconstruction of the Mokambo border to Mfulira had been commenced. It was therefore recommend that this NTB be regarded as resolved considering that Zambia is taking efforts to reconstruct the road  
NTB-000-661 2.7. International taxes and charges levied on imports and other tariff measures 2014-12-11 Uganda: Uganda Revenue Authority Kenya Resolved
2015-03-16
View
Complaint: Uganda charges 25% duty rate on scrapping rolls manufactured in Kenya and also on products manufactured in Kenya using glucose.  
Resolution status note: At the Kenya NMC NTBs meeting held in Nairobi on 16th March 2015, Kenya confirmed that Uganda had scrapped the 25% duty .This position was endorsed by the 17th NTB forum thereby resolving this issue.  
NTB-000-765 2.7. International taxes and charges levied on imports and other tariff measures
Policy/Regulatory
2017-05-05 Tanzania: Tanzania Revenue Authority Kenya Resolved
2019-08-21
View
Complaint: Tanzania does not recognize price adjustments for duty purposes particularly the reduction by milk processors in Kenya.  
Resolution status note: During the Regional Monitoring Committee meeting of 2018, Tanzania reported that, this is not an NTB but a valuation issue that can be resolved between the revenue authority and the importer. KRA and TRA were therefore quested to hold a bilateral meeting to resolve the matter by 21st November 2018.2. The Regional meeting held from 29 April - 3 May 2019 referred the matter to the Committee on Customs for resolution.  
NTB-000-946 2.7. International taxes and charges levied on imports and other tariff measures
Policy/Regulatory
2017-03-01 Tanzania: Ministry of Agriculture Kenya Resolved
2021-04-05
View
Complaint: Tanzania introduced new discriminative fees levied against animal and animal products vide Animal Diseases (Animal and Animal products Movement Control) amendment GN no. 475. This discriminatory fees to Kenya (EAC) animal and animal products i.e. beef and beef products, milk and milk products vis-à-vis Tanzania products has increased levies to 4800Tsh per Kg of meat (Ksh from 200 to 500) and 1800 Tsh per Kg for milk. This is against the spirit of the EAC where Tanzania (Partner States) is required to accord equal treatment to products from Kenya. This has negatively affected Kenya beef and beef products into Tanzania.  
Resolution status note: During the Tanzania NMC meeting held in April 2021, the Meeting was informed that the charge is on Imports from outside the Region and not transfers from the East African Partner States. Since the Republic of Kenya has not produced any evidence of the complaint, the NTB should be resolved  
NTB-000-051 2.7. International taxes and charges levied on imports and other tariff measures 2004-12-22 Malawi: Malawi Revenue Authority Kenya Resolved
2011-07-28
View
Complaint: 25% excise duty on laundry soap.

Kenya complained that Malawian Government charge 25% excise duty on imports of laundry soap.
 
Resolution status note: At their meeting held on 29 August 2011, Kenya NMC reported that consultations had taken place between the Ministers of Trade of the two coutries which resolved the matter.  
Products: 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  
NTB-000-052 2.7. International taxes and charges levied on imports and other tariff measures
Policy/Regulatory
2008-12-22 Malawi: Malawi Revenue Authority Kenya Resolved
2012-05-30
View
Complaint: 25% excise duty on edible oils

Kenya complained that Malawian Government charge 25% excise duty on imports of edible oils.
 
Resolution status note: At the NTBs SMS launch meeting hel on 09 April 2013, Malawi reported that this issue had been resolved and confirmed that Malawi chrges a duty of 20 percent which is is applied to both local and imported commodities hence its non discriminatory, therefore not an NTB.  
Products: 1511.90: Palm oil and its fractions, whether or not refined (excl. chemically modified and crude)  
NTB-000-052 2.7. International taxes and charges levied on imports and other tariff measures
Policy/Regulatory
2008-12-22 Malawi: Malawi Revenue Authority Kenya Resolved
2012-05-30
View
Complaint: 25% excise duty on edible oils

Kenya complained that Malawian Government charge 25% excise duty on imports of edible oils.
 
Resolution status note: Malawi reported that the excise tax was non- discriminatory  
Products: 1511.90: Palm oil and its fractions, whether or not refined (excl. chemically modified and crude)  
NTB-000-136 2.7. International taxes and charges levied on imports and other tariff measures
Policy/Regulatory
2009-07-27 Botswana: Ministry of Agriculture South Africa Resolved
2012-05-03
View
Complaint: An import levy of 15% is charged on wheat flour  
Resolution status note: Botswana reporte4d that she does not impose levy on wheat  
1 2 3...20 21 22 23 24...45 46 47