| Complaint number |
NTB Type
Check allUncheck all |
Date of incident |
Location |
Reporting country or region (additional) |
Status |
Actions |
|
NTB-000-167 |
7.9. Inadequate trade related infrastructure |
2009-07-27 |
Malawi: Malawi Revenue Authority |
Malawi |
Resolved 2010-07-22 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Border delays including irregular border hours |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
Malawi reported that border operating hours are now harmonized and synchronized across borders in Malawi. Malawi now moving to 24hrs. |
|
|
NTB-000-190 |
7.9. Inadequate trade related infrastructure Policy/Regulatory |
2009-07-27 |
SADC |
Malawi |
Resolved 2011-01-10 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Inconsistency of road traffic laws, and their application in SADC. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
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. |
|
|
NTB-000-324 |
7.9. Inadequate trade related infrastructure |
2009-09-09 |
|
Seychelles |
Resolved 2024-10-03 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
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 |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
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. |
|
|
NTB-000-353 |
7.9. Inadequate trade related infrastructure |
2010-02-10 |
SADC |
Namibia |
Resolved 2016-10-07 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
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 |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
FESARTA reported that this NTB was no longer in place |
|
|
NTB-000-192 |
7.9. Inadequate trade related infrastructure Policy/Regulatory |
2009-07-27 |
Mozambique: Beira Port |
Malawi |
Resolved 2011-09-23 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Inefficient loading and unloading facilities at Nacala and Beira ports in Mozambique resulting in time delays and occasionally additional warehousing costs. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
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. |
|
|
NTB-000-186 |
7.9. Inadequate trade related infrastructure |
2009-07-27 |
Mozambique: Beira Port |
Malawi |
Resolved 2012-04-26 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Poor infrastructure. Many delays at Beira and Nacala docks due to heavy traffic and no security available |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
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. |
|
|
NTB-000-321 |
7.9. Inadequate trade related infrastructure |
2009-09-09 |
SADC |
Seychelles |
Resolved 2011-06-03 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Innadequate air passenger links between Member states. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
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 |
|
|
NTB-000-156 |
7.9. Inadequate trade related infrastructure |
2009-07-27 |
Tanzania: Along major highways |
Tanzania |
Resolved 2012-06-15 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
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. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
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. |
|
|
NTB-000-357 |
7.9. Inadequate trade related infrastructure |
2010-02-10 |
Tanzania: Ministry of Transport |
Tanzania |
Resolved 2011-08-28 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
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. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
Tanzania Revenue Authority reported that this transit point was closed in March 2010. |
|
|
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-000-361 |
7.9. Inadequate trade related infrastructure |
2010-02-10 |
Kenya: Ministry of Transport |
Tanzania |
Resolved 2016-06-29 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
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. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
The EAC secretariat reported that the EAC Axle load act was enacted by EALA in May, 2014 |
|
|
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-000-180 |
7.9. Inadequate trade related infrastructure Policy/Regulatory |
2009-07-27 |
Mozambique: Beira Port |
Malawi |
Resolved 2011-07-28 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Beira & Nacala are the main ports for imports/export goods, which are currently overworked. Lack of institutional support. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
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 |
|
|
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-000-123 |
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-000-322 |
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-000-330 |
7.9. Inadequate trade related infrastructure |
2009-09-09 |
Eswatini: Bordergate |
Eswatini |
Resolved 2010-11-22 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Anti Smuggling, Quality Control & Examination Teams at border posts lack proper equipment such as forklifts, motor vehicles to carry out inspection. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
Swaziland reported that the procurement of equipment is affected by the lack of financial resources. However, measures are taken to have goods examined at owner’s premises where equipment is available. |
|
|
NTB-000-113 |
7.9. Inadequate trade related infrastructure |
2009-07-26 |
Tanzania: Dar-es-Salaam Port |
South Africa |
Resolved 2011-05-23 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Periodic port congestion in Tanzania makes logistical planning near impossible , which impact negatively on perishable exports. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
Tanzania reported that by July 2010, the import container dwell time had been reduced to 10 days, ship waiting time from 13 days to 4 days and ship turnaround time from 19 days to 3 days. This improvement has been attributable to additional investment to increase handling capacity which involved reorganisation of the port area (additional capacity of 14,000 TEU's) and opening of new ICD (additional capacity of 10,000 TEU's). This is complimented by supportive tariff for ICD and punitive tariff for overstayed containers within the port. New customs procedures which include online submission of declarations and supporting documents, reduced percentage of physical verifications, partial submission of manifest all have contributed positively to reduce dwell time. Efforts are now geared towards implementing a single window port community system PCS TO FURTHER REDUCE CONTAINER DWELL TIME TO 5 DAYS.
Establishment of ICD was meant to create additional space of approximately 10,000 TEU's as pointed out earlier.
All transit containers were excluded in the process of being sent to ICD in order to reduce the inconvenience to the customers and also get rid of the double handling that would be created by sending the transit containers to ICD.
ICD are currently working as an extension of the port and hence monitoring of transit containers not sent to ICD will be easily monitored. Therefore this will not be subjected to any charges since all transit containers will be stationed at the port. |
|
|
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. |
|