| Complaint number |
NTB Type
|
Date of incident |
Location |
Reporting country or region (additional) |
Status |
Actions |
|
NTB-000-478 |
8.6. Vehicle standards
Policy/Regulatory |
2011-12-20 |
Mozambique: Delegação Aduaneira de Cuchamano |
South Africa |
Resolved
2015-02-10 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Mozambique restricts an articulated vehicle carrying general cargo, to 18 metres length. It restricts an artic carrying ISO shipping containers to 16.5 metres length. This does not conform to the recommendations given by both COMESA and SADC. Generally, artics in Southern Africa are up to 18.5 metres in length, in accordance with the SADC recommendations. Transporters cannot practically shorten their artics and comply with the Mozambique regulations. Fines are received by transporters when they try to travel through Mozambique with artics longer than 16.5 or 18 metres. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
On 10 February 2015, Mozambique Focal Point requested that this NTB be resolved on grounds that FESARTA was not forthcoming with additional information on proof of payment and the place where the accident occurred to assist with the investigation on the incident. Further, according to the existing Regulation (Decree 14/2008 of 25 June), it should be noted that Mozambique does not have infrastructure prepared to adopt the specifications of South Africa, so that the movement of carriers in Mozambique is made on specific routes. The Portuguese version is uploaded onto the system for reference. However, Mozambique was working towards adapting their laws in line with SADC recommendations about size and weights of vehicles. |
|
|
NTB-000-478 |
8.6. Vehicle standards
Policy/Regulatory |
2011-12-20 |
Mozambique: Delegação Aduaneira de Cuchamano |
South Africa |
Resolved
2015-02-10 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Mozambique restricts an articulated vehicle carrying general cargo, to 18 metres length. It restricts an artic carrying ISO shipping containers to 16.5 metres length. This does not conform to the recommendations given by both COMESA and SADC. Generally, artics in Southern Africa are up to 18.5 metres in length, in accordance with the SADC recommendations. Transporters cannot practically shorten their artics and comply with the Mozambique regulations. Fines are received by transporters when they try to travel through Mozambique with artics longer than 16.5 or 18 metres. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
On 10 February 2015, Mozambique Focal Point advised that the NTB be resolved in according to the existing Regulation (Decree 14/2008 of 25 June) and that it should be noted that Mozambique did not have infrastructure prepared to adopt the specifications of South Africa, so that the movement of carriers in Mozambique is made on specific routes. However, Mozambique was working towards conforming to SADC specifications on vehicle length and weights.
FESARTA confirmed that there had been no reports of recent problems with NTB 478 and therefore the NTB should be resolved. FESARTA made an observation that the regulation was probably introduced many years ago, when there could have been a particular issue that resulted in the regulation and that the regulation may not have any relevance now. |
|
|
NTB-000-645 |
1.1. Export subsidies |
2015-01-23 |
Botswana: Ngoma |
|
Resolved
2015-02-11 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
I have a consignment of used vehicles imported from UK and the USA. They are being denied entry to Botswana on transit to Zimbabwe because they are not registered. Apparently Botswana does not allow unregistered vehicles to drive on their roads |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
The affected company reported that they managed to get assistance from the Namibia Customs officials who escorted the consignment back into Namibia then to the Zambia border. They used the Zambia route which is 400 kilometers longer. The company reported that the Department of Transport in Botswana informed them that there won't be a waiver for vehicles not registered in SADC or COMESA region. Only COMESA and SADC registered vehicles are allowed road transit in Botswana
However, tourism vehicles registered outside COMESA and SADC and vehicles destined for Botswana are allowed to be driven in Botswana.
FESARTA confirmed that, according to the regional policy, all vehicles not registered in COMESA or SADC would have to be loaded on other vehicles. |
|
|
Products:
|
8704.22: Motor vehicles for the transport of goods, with compression-ignition internal combustion piston engine "diesel or semi-diesel engine" of a gross vehicle weight > 5 t but <= 20 t (excl. dumpers for off-highway use of subheading 8704.10 and special purpose |
|
|
NTB-000-548 |
8.1. Government Policy and regulations |
2012-11-30 |
Botswana: Kazungula Ferry |
South Africa |
Resolved
2015-03-25 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
This complaint is registered by FESARTA.
The Botswana Department of Veterinary Services is requiring a permit for agricultural products to be purchased in Gaborone and for the original to be carried on the truck.
This procedure is time-consuming and inefficient.
The process should be done electronically and the truck carry an electronic copy. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
On 25 March 2015, Botswana Focal Point reported that transit permits are now issued in various Veterinary Offices countrywide. Issuance of such permits has now been decentralized. Botswana still requires that permits original (hard) copies MUST always accompany consignment. It must be noted that 1 consignment requires 1 permit which is neither time consuming nor inefficient. Introduction of electronic copies (for convenience) is still being considered. With this explanation, and that transporters can obtain permits easily, the NTB should be considered resolved |
|
|
NTB-000-595 |
2.13. Issues related to Pre-Shipment Inspections |
2013-06-10 |
South Africa: Ficksburg Bridge |
Lesotho |
Resolved
2015-03-25 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Exporter's containers (in transit to USA) are stopped by South African Revenue Services (SARS) at Ficksburg border post, South Africa and consignments are checked exclusively notwithstanding the fact that they are being checked by the Lesotho Revenue Authority (LRA) before they are dispatched. SARS requires certificate of origin before they can process Electronic Data Interchange and that goods be off-loaded from the containers and then re-loaded and this requires extra manpower thereby adding on the cost of manufacturing. Moreover, exporters have to pay standing charges for transporters as they have to stay overnight at the border as the process takes about 6-12 hours and this impacts negatively on many other shipping processes. The process also causes goods to reach their destinations after the agreed timeframe and as a result exporters fail to meet their customers' requirements.
The incident has happened on more than one occassion. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
On 25 March 2015, Lesotho Focal Point reported that the NTB had been resolved and therefore must be removed from the pending cases. |
|
|
NTB-000-631 |
1.1. Export subsidies |
2014-04-22 |
South Africa: Ficksburg Bridge |
Lesotho |
Resolved
2015-03-24 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
I apparently needed a certificate from the State Vet to carry wool tops over the border! This proved impossible to get in Ficksburg. I have also experienced many problems bringing craft goods over to South Africa from lesotho as we need to pay VAT on all goods coming to exhibitions. This is extremely time consuming process and then I have to claim the VAT back when I bring unsold goods back over the border! |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
On 24 March 2015, Lesotho Focal Point reported that the NTB had been resolved and therefore must be removed from the pending cases. |
|
|
Products:
|
5105.29: Wool, combed (excl. that in fragments "open tops") |
|
|
NTB-000-659 |
2.14. Other |
2014-12-11 |
Kenya: Mombasa sea port |
Uganda |
Resolved
2015-03-16 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Selective auctioning of Ugandan goods at Mombasa Port. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
At the Kenya NMC NTBs meeting held in Nairobi on 16th March 2015, KRA reported that all auctions had been conducted in accordance with the laws and regulations. Uganda had been given an extended 90 day period in which to notify owners of the auction after which the auction was conducted. This position was endorsed by the 17th NTB forum thereby resolving this issue. |
|
|
NTB-000-660 |
2.10. Inadequate or unreasonable customs procedures and charges |
2014-12-11 |
Kenya: Mombasa sea port |
Uganda |
Resolved
2015-03-26 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Scanning of Uganda goods by anti-counterfeit agency at Mombasa |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
The 17th EAC NTBs Forum held in Nairobi from 24-26 march 2015 considered and resolved tise NTB. |
|
|
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-000-643 |
2.6. Additional taxes and other charges |
2014-12-09 |
Tanzania: Dar-es-Salaam Port |
Burundi |
Resolved
2015-03-26 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Tanzania Ports Authority is charging all Transit containers located at at Tanzania International Container Terminal Services (TICTS) a miscellaneous Port Charges. On 05 June 2014, a transporter from Burundi was charged US$90 being for miscellaneous port services for a 20ft container |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
At the 16th EAC regional forum on non tariff barriers held in Kigali in December 2014, Tanzania reported that the double handling charges were abolished. This NTB is therefore resolved. |
|
|
NTB-000-643 |
2.6. Additional taxes and other charges |
2014-12-09 |
Tanzania: Dar-es-Salaam Port |
Burundi |
Resolved
2015-03-26 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Tanzania Ports Authority is charging all Transit containers located at at Tanzania International Container Terminal Services (TICTS) a miscellaneous Port Charges. On 05 June 2014, a transporter from Burundi was charged US$90 being for miscellaneous port services for a 20ft container |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
At the 17th NTB forum held in Nairobi on 24th to 26th March 2015, Tanzania confirmed that these charges were no longer applicable and therefore the NTB was resolved. |
|
|
NTB-000-394 |
1.1. Export subsidies
A84: Inspection requirement
Policy/Regulatory |
2011-01-15 |
Angola: At the point of offloading. |
South Africa |
Resolved
2015-04-07 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Ministry of Agriculture in Angola has implemented decree Nr 02/08. This decree requires the inspector to be present at the time of offloading, and to draw samples per load, line item and batch. As there are on average over 100 lines per container and more than one batch per line, this can result in as many as 300 samples being drawn per container. The remaining items will need to be placed in quarantine until testing is finalized and release given.
Given that on average 3 containers arrive in Luanda daily, more than 900 items from Shoprite alone will create a problem for the Lab. Their turn around time of 3 days will be impossible to maintain.
Many of the products are also time sensitive, which means that by the time final release is given, there may be very little shelf life left, if at all.
Then there is also the cost to consider. Sampling and testing is part and parcel of the business but taken to the extreme as is the case here, it becomes a very costly and ultimately damaging excercise both to the Business and the end consumer (reduced shelf life, less choice).
Suggestions:
1. Allow a South African authority (SABS, NRCS) to sample and inspect the goods before dispatching and issue a certificate against the findings, to accompany the load.
2. Allow Shoprite to send samples of the goods onboard via courier company so that the inspection can commence and thus be completed and the certificates issued by the time that the load arrives at the store level. The batch number can be verified by an independant body. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
On 7th April 2015, South Africa Focal Point reported that they had received confirmation from the complainant that NTB 394, reported by SA against Angola should be recorded as 'resolved' because what was complained about had not been enforced |
|
|
Products:
|
0401.10: Milk and cream of a fat content by weight of <= 1%, not concentrated nor containing added sugar or other sweetening matter and 1601.00: Sausages and similar products, of meat, offal or blood; food preparations based on these products |
|
|
NTB-000-606 |
8.8. Issues related to transit |
2013-10-08 |
Mozambique: Beira Port |
Zambia |
Resolved
2015-06-19 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
This complaint is registered by FESARTA.
There is a serious security problem with trucks entering the Munhava area of Beira port.
The Munhava access route is the only entrance used by trucks entering the port to load and offload.
This is an extremely high crime area with drivers being harassed by third parties while entering and departing the port. The road is in a poor condition and is congested so vehicles have to slow right down. The criminal elements gather in this area and stop the vehicles by engaging the rear axle park brake on the fuel tankers or jumping onto the vehicle itself. They then demand money from the drivers (approx. USD 5 to 10). Should the driver fail to pay over the cash, he is then pulled from the vehicle and beaten. The driver is then thrown under the truck while a member of the group enters the truck and steals the personal effects, radios, money, tools etc from the vehicle.
If the drivers overnight within the Port, they are harassed by parties again. If the driver leaves the vehicle to submit documents, they enter the vehicle using duplicate keys. As you know, keys for trucks are not unique.
If you are travelling along this road with fertilizers or as in the case of the attached photo, wheat, then you need an armed guard.
The photo was taken at the Junction of the Main Beira Road and Munhava Road. As the vehicle turned the corner and drove out of Munhava, the guard cleared the weapon and sat down, an indication that he was out of the ‘danger’ area.
It is noted that the target of these attacks are predominately launched at foreign transporters.
ASTROS, the National Road Transport Association (NRTA) in Beira, has held meetings with the chief of Sofala province police, chief of nearest police station, CFM management in Sofala, Cornelder Management, Transport department of Sofala, and ultimately the Sofala Governor. The Governor has even opened a free telephone link to ASTROS. None of these initiatives have solved this problem.
CFM and the police know who the criminals are, where they stay and how they act, but simply do nothing.
This is a most serious situation and requires the urgent attention of the Regional Economic Communities (SADC, COMESA). |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
On 19 June 2015, Mozambique Focal Point reported that the competent Provincial authorities in Sofala reported that security in the area had been reinforced to ensure safety of truckers. Further Mozambique Focal Point advised that, in future, FESARTA should provide names and force numbers for the police officer/s asking for bribes to assist in further investigations. Mozambique therefore has resolved the complaint |
|
|
NTB-000-650 |
6.6. Border taxes |
2015-02-01 |
Mozambique: Delegação Aduaneira de Ressano Garcia (Road) |
South Africa |
Resolved
2015-06-19 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Good day. Terminal Operator at Ressano Garcia plans to enforce fees to all cargo vehicles for the utilization of Ressano Garcia with effect from the 16th February 2015. The fees as attached to this request are ridiculous as a truck weighing 28Tons with Imports to Mozambique is expected to pay no less than R3000 on each occasion they enter Mozambique via Ressano Garcia. The upgrades at the port were an investment to ease trade facilitation and I'm of the view that traders are not opposed to paying however the required amount is way high and unfortunately the end-user will end up carrying these costs the end of the day. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
On 25 February 2015, Mozambique focal point confirmed that there has not been any fee set or fee charged for the use of the cargo Terminal of Ressano Garcia, since this matter is still under discussion internally. This NTB is therefore resolved |
|
|
NTB-000-446 |
8.7. Costly Road user charges /fees |
2011-09-03 |
EAC |
Kenya |
Resolved
2015-09-24 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Port Charges are not harmonized. Port charges should be benchmarked with international port charges |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
Kenya and URT submitted the Port procedures manual to the EAC Secretariat. |
|
|
NTB-000-437 |
8.8. Issues related to transit |
2010-05-12 |
EAC |
Kenya |
Resolved
2015-09-24 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Delays in transit bonds cancellation by EAC partner states |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
Now with the introduction of the Single Customs Territory using a single bond from the port up to final destination, the issue has been addressed. |
|
|
NTB-000-400 |
1.1. Export subsidies
A52: Irradiation |
2011-02-22 |
South Africa: The Department of Trade and Industry |
Zambia |
Resolved
2015-08-10 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
The Zambian honey sector have come against repeated resistance from the South African authorities to allow organic honey to enter the South Africa market without the unnecessary requirement of irradiation. Therefore, our traders are requesting the South African government for an exemption from the irradiation requirements for the importation of honey from Zambia as set out by the National Department of Agriculture (RSA).
An analysis undertaken by the National Department of Agriculture (NDA) of South Africa collected honey samples from across Zambia during a national disease survey funded by the World Bank in conjunction with the Department of Agriculture of Zambia. The findings of this analysis by the NDA reveal that there is no American Foulbrood Disease in Zambia. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
South Africa advised that all honey exports from Zambia were now accepted into that market. |
|
|
Products:
|
0409.00: Natural honey |
|
|
NTB-000-475 |
1.13. "Buy national" policy |
2011-10-06 |
Uganda: Uganda National Police |
Rwanda |
Resolved
2012-12-03 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Removal of plate numbers on vehicles that have had accidents.The argument given is to force the driver to report to the police. The consequence is loss of goods and vehicle parts because with no plate number the truck/vehicle seems to belong to nobody. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
On 21st December 2015, Uganda Focal Point reported that the NTB was resolved in 2012 by Uganda |
|
|
NTB-000-601 |
8.8. Issues related to transit |
2013-07-12 |
Kenya: All Transit Entry Points into Keny |
Uganda |
Resolved
2015-12-21 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Kenya Ministry of Agriculture Animal Industry and Fisheries, State Department for Livestock, Directorate of Veterinary Services, has introduced a new requirement under notice SOPS for Transit Inspection (1), for Hides and Skins consignments in transit through Kenya issued on 12th July 2013, that:
1. Transit goods are for all intent and purposes Imports
2. That transit cargo be subject to physical inspection by an inspector
3. Exporters transiting through Kenya to possess Import permits from the countries of destination
4. Exporters to poses Transit Permits
5. Payment of Transit fees
The requirement is to be effective on 21st July 2013.
Accordingly, this is a new NTBs imposed by the Kenyan Government on Ugandan goods transiting through Kenya. This new requirement is affecting 8 Ugandan companies in the business of exporting hides and skins that transit through Kenya. The measure will increase the cost of doing business because companies will require acquire transit permits for a fee, and delays related to physical inspection. More over the companies have been given a very short time (8 days including weekends) to comply with the new measure.
The Government of Republic of Uganda is of a strong view that this requirement be removed due to reasons above and contravenes the EAC Integration process through the Protocols signed so far. It is also erroneous to refer to transit goods as Imports as is done in the same notice. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
On 21st December 2015, Uganda Focal Point reported that the NTB was resolved by Kenya. The Requirement is no longer applicable |
|
|
NTB-000-654 |
2.3. Issues related to the rules of origin |
2014-12-11 |
Uganda: Mutukula |
Tanzania |
Resolved
2015-12-15 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Rwanda and Uganda have not accorded preferential treatment on exports of rice from Tanzania through Rusumo and Mutukula borders respectively. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
On 21st December 2015, Uganda Focal Point reported that Uganda was now according preferential treatment for rice originating from Tanzania. This NTBis therefore resolved |
|
English
Français
