| Complaint number |
NTB Type
Check allUncheck all |
Date of incident |
Location |
Reporting country or region (additional) |
Status |
Actions |
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NTB-000-580 |
8.5. Infrastructure (Air, Port, Rail, Road, Border Posts,) |
2013-04-17 |
Rwanda: Rusumo |
Rwanda |
Resolved 2014-07-02 |
View |
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Complaint:
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Lack of parking facilities at Rusumo Border Post is creating congestion and clearance delays. |
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Resolution status note:
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On 03 July 2014 FESARTA reported that there were initiatives to improve this border post and so the NTB is resolved. |
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NTB-000-798 |
8.5. Infrastructure (Air, Port, Rail, Road, Border Posts,) |
2018-01-25 |
Zimbabwe: Forbes |
Zambia |
Resolved 2018-02-09 |
View |
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Complaint:
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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. |
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Resolution status note:
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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 |
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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 |
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Complaint:
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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 |
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Resolution status note:
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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 |
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NTB-000-108 |
7.9. Inadequate trade related infrastructure |
2009-07-26 |
Angola: Telecommunications Department |
South Africa |
Resolved 2011-11-30 |
View |
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Complaint:
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Angola postal and delivery services are unrelaible |
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Resolution status note:
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During the NTB workshop held in Luanda on 30 November 2011, Angola reported that postal services have been improved significantly in the last few years. DHL, and other services are now available in post offices. The NTB is therefore resolved. |
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NTB-000-167 |
7.9. Inadequate trade related infrastructure |
2009-07-27 |
Malawi: Malawi Revenue Authority |
Malawi |
Resolved 2010-07-22 |
View |
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Complaint:
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Border delays including irregular border hours |
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Resolution status note:
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Malawi reported that border operating hours are now harmonized and synchronized across borders in Malawi. Malawi now moving to 24hrs. |
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NTB-000-190 |
7.9. Inadequate trade related infrastructure Policy/Regulatory |
2009-07-27 |
SADC |
Malawi |
Resolved 2011-01-10 |
View |
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Complaint:
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Inconsistency of road traffic laws, and their application in SADC. |
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Resolution status note:
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Botswana reported that ahe is in the process of harmonizing traffic laws with SADC traffic laws; however, there are some traffic laws that have been harmonized e.g. road signs etc. |
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NTB-000-324 |
7.9. Inadequate trade related infrastructure |
2009-09-09 |
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Seychelles |
Resolved 2024-10-03 |
View |
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Complaint:
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Some businesses complained that SADC ports are unable to handle containers that exceed 6 metres (20 ft), which limits exporters in implementing the most cost-effective way of transporting their products |
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Resolution status note:
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It has been agreed between the SADC Secretariat and Seychelles that the NTB-000-324 should be marked as resolved. If the challenge still exists, it may be reported again as a new complaint, and Seychelles shall address it accordingly. |
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NTB-000-353 |
7.9. Inadequate trade related infrastructure |
2010-02-10 |
SADC |
Namibia |
Resolved 2016-10-07 |
View |
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Complaint:
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A truck legally loaded in Namibia may not be legally loaded in another SADC country due to lack of uniform loads and Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM) standards in SADC. There is need to standardize the axle loads |
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Resolution status note:
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FESARTA reported that this NTB was no longer in place |
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NTB-000-192 |
7.9. Inadequate trade related infrastructure Policy/Regulatory |
2009-07-27 |
Mozambique: Beira Port |
Malawi |
Resolved 2011-09-23 |
View |
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Complaint:
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Inefficient loading and unloading facilities at Nacala and Beira ports in Mozambique resulting in time delays and occasionally additional warehousing costs. |
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Resolution status note:
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In consultations with the Beira Port Authorities, namely, Cornelder, on the 22nd of September 2011, at the Beira Port, Cornelder informed that indeed during the dredging process the Beira port faced a lot of delays but that aspect has been overcome now that the dredging process is over. |
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NTB-000-186 |
7.9. Inadequate trade related infrastructure |
2009-07-27 |
Mozambique: Beira Port |
Malawi |
Resolved 2012-04-26 |
View |
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Complaint:
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Poor infrastructure. Many delays at Beira and Nacala docks due to heavy traffic and no security available |
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Resolution status note:
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At the 3rd Tripartite NTBs Focal Point point meeting Malawi registered that the issue be resolved considering the submission from Mozambique that the delays, were as a result of procedural matters between the clearing agents and their respective clients and not the Beira Port authorities per se. |
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NTB-000-321 |
7.9. Inadequate trade related infrastructure |
2009-09-09 |
SADC |
Seychelles |
Resolved 2011-06-03 |
View |
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Complaint:
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Innadequate air passenger links between Member states. |
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Resolution status note:
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Seychelles reported that she is in the process of liberalizing trade and expanding trade within COMESA, SADC and IOC in order to facilitate trade within the region and access to food imports |
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NTB-000-156 |
7.9. Inadequate trade related infrastructure |
2009-07-27 |
Tanzania: Along major highways |
Tanzania |
Resolved 2012-06-15 |
View |
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Complaint:
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Weighing equipment in some stations is sometimes faulty, meaning that even when a truck has a proper seal, weight readings at different stations vary. Also, there are numerous stations along the major highways, which do not respect seals even when it is clear that such seals have not been tempered with. The most notorious stations are along Moshi and Kibaha on Nairobi-Dar-es-salaam highway. |
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Resolution status note:
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The 10th meeting of SADC Committee on Trade Facilitation accepted Tanzania's explaination that problem arose 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. The meeting therefore agreed to consider the NTB resolved. |
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NTB-000-357 |
7.9. Inadequate trade related infrastructure |
2010-02-10 |
Tanzania: Ministry of Transport |
Tanzania |
Resolved 2011-08-28 |
View |
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Complaint:
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A transit point in Mbezi is too small. The ongoing Stakeholders meetings to resolve the issue are taking long to materialize. Trucks are held for as long as 2,5km long ques. |
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Resolution status note:
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Tanzania Revenue Authority reported that this transit point was closed in March 2010. |
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NTB-000-360 |
7.9. Inadequate trade related infrastructure |
2010-02-10 |
Kenya: Ministry of Transport |
Tanzania |
Resolved 2011-07-28 |
View |
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Complaint:
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Kenya is not calibrating the weighbridges; therefore there is use of different weights. Leading to rampant Bribery activities taking place at the weigh bridges |
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Resolution status note:
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At the NMC meeting held in Nairobi on 29 August 2011, Kenya reported the weighbridges have been automated such that weight is recorded online. |
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NTB-000-361 |
7.9. Inadequate trade related infrastructure |
2010-02-10 |
Kenya: Ministry of Transport |
Tanzania |
Resolved 2016-06-29 |
View |
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Complaint:
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Unreliable, different readings on the internal weighbridges in Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi. Readings can differ as much as between 500-700kgs resulting in transporters paying unnecessary huge fines. Weighbridges are often verified, however, various factors which include technical faults of the instruments and unscrupulous conduct of the transporters sometimes result in false readings: This problem relates to transit goods in properly sealed containers that, under normal circumstances, cannot be opened before they get to destination. |
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Resolution status note:
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The EAC secretariat reported that the EAC Axle load act was enacted by EALA in May, 2014 |
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NTB-000-384 |
7.9. Inadequate trade related infrastructure |
2010-08-11 |
Mozambique: Tete Bridge |
Malawi |
Resolved 2011-07-28 |
View |
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Complaint:
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Drivers crossing through Tete bridge take 2-3 days of waiting to cross in both directions of the route. |
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Resolution status note:
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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 |
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NTB-000-180 |
7.9. Inadequate trade related infrastructure Policy/Regulatory |
2009-07-27 |
Mozambique: Beira Port |
Malawi |
Resolved 2011-07-28 |
View |
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Complaint:
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Beira & Nacala are the main ports for imports/export goods, which are currently overworked. Lack of institutional support. |
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Resolution status note:
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Mozambique reported that this is not a barrier because Mozambique has three big ports fully operational. The Maputo port being the main one. In March the Single Window Project will become operational at the Maputo Port, to help reduce the time required for customs clearance |
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NTB-000-191 |
7.9. Inadequate trade related infrastructure |
2009-07-27 |
Mozambique: Ministry of Transport |
Malawi |
Resolved 2010-11-22 |
View |
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Complaint:
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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. |
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Resolution status note:
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This is a general complaint which Malawi could not folow up due to lack of specific information. |
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NTB-000-123 |
7.9. Inadequate trade related infrastructure |
2009-07-26 |
Seychelles: Other Seychelles |
South Africa |
Resolved 2010-11-22 |
View |
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Complaint:
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Inadequate cold room facilities at ports |
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Resolution status note:
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Seychelles reported that having adequate cold storage facility at airport and sea port is considered one future area of development. |
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NTB-000-125 |
7.9. Inadequate trade related infrastructure Policy/Regulatory |
2009-07-26 |
Seychelles: Port Victoria |
South Africa |
Resolved 2010-11-22 |
View |
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Complaint:
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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. |
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Resolution status note:
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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. |
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