| Complaint number |
NTB Type
|
Date of incident |
Location |
Reporting country or region (additional) |
Status |
Actions |
|
NTB-000-161 |
7.4. Costly procedures |
2009-07-27 |
Tanzania: Ministry of Trade |
Tanzania |
Resolved
2016-06-15 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
A number of non-tariff fees are levied on agricultural and manufactured products. Examples are: inspection fees, Warehousing fees; Air Cargo levy; Agricultural Cess, Livestock Marketing Cess, landing and parking fees, seaman's levy and farm support fees. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
The SADC Sub Committee on Trade facilitation carried out a review of long standing NTBs and found out that the various fees identified above, i.e. inspection fees, warehousing fees; air cargo levy; agricultural cess, livestock marketing cess, landing and parking fees, seaman's levy and farm support fees were acceptable as long as they are for the services rendered and are also provided for in the national legislations.
This is finding therefore resolves the NTB |
|
|
NTB-000-688 |
8.3. Immigration requirements (Visa, travel permit) |
2016-03-29 |
South Africa: Beit Bridge |
Zimbabwe |
Resolved
2016-05-09 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
South Africa Immigration Offices at Beit Bridge gives drivers maximum 14 days on their passports when entering into SA at point of entry. When a driver departs before the 14 days are fully utilized, the next time you want to enter, they tell you to use those remaining days before they can add more days on your passport. This causes drivers to end up running short of days should their trip be longer than the remaining days before the normal 14 days. Zimbabwe transporters are therefore forced to send their drivers back to Beit Bridge without their trucks to get their passports re stamped or they are faced with fines or worse still, they will not be allowed to enter SA again for not exiting on or before the set day when they entered SA initially. This is increasing the cost of doing business. Transporters have lost business during the time drivers are hiking to the border to get passports stamped, the extra night allowances and bus fares and also the down time spent in the process. This problem is a lot worse if loads are short in SA as well.
This matter needs urgent attention on the part of Home Affairs in South Africa as the hampering of transporter and driver movements is not in the interests of trade facilitation and inters regional trade in the region. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
On 09 May 2016, the South African Focal Point provided the current Visa and Immigration requirements that state that: ‘Visas are not required by passport holders of Lesotho, Swaziland, Botswana, Namibia, Zambia and Malawi who are entering the Republic as commercial heavy-duty vehicle drivers provide their visits do not exceed 15 days and on condition that they can produce a letter confirming their employment with a transport company on entry.
The same principle applies to Zimbabwean commercial heavy-duty vehicle drivers, except that their sojourn may not exceed 30 days at a time. The afore-mentioned does not apply to commercial heavy-duty vehicle drivers who transport goods for a South African transport company. Such drivers must be in possession of a valid work visa.’
The requirements are uploaded onto the Notifications window of the Online system www.tradebarriers.org as information to stakeholders . This document can be dowloaded by the public . |
|
|
NTB-000-693 |
8.6. Vehicle standards |
2016-04-22 |
Uganda: Lira Mobile weighbridge |
Uganda |
Resolved
2016-04-25 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
truck number UAQ 474t/UAD 291Q is being held at the LIRA mobile weigbride due to overload after it was weighed in Mbale and bares the weighbridge ticket with the right tonnage as requires to be carried by the truck.
the truck was weighed in mbale with a gross weight of 48 and when weighed in lira, it has a gross weight of 56 tonnes
the truck is loaded with world food program relief food destined for Sudan and this barrier is affecting the supply to the sudannese people who are in urgent need of food |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
Uganda Focal point reported that the truck had been released on the same day. |
|
|
NTB-000-680 |
2.3. Issues related to the rules of origin
Policy/Regulatory |
2015-09-04 |
Tanzania: Namanga |
Kenya |
Resolved
2016-04-29 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
General Motors East Africa sold some vehicles to its dealer in Tanzania which vehicles were charged duty, despite the provisions of the rules of origin which qualify vehicles assembled from CKD as local products and should be sold free of duty within EAC. The Rules of Origin were gazette on the 23rd day of January 2015 and they are fully operational. This is a clear violation of the EAC Rules of Origin. Copies of the EAC Certificate of Origin, the Commercial invoice, the Import Duty Assessment Document & the Import Duty Payment Note for four vehicles that were charged duty at the Namanga border are available for scrutiny if required. We sought an explanation from the Tanzania Revenue Authority but they have not given a substantial explanation except that, in their opinion the rules take effect from October this year |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
The new EAC rules became fully operational in Tanzania at the end of April 2016 and the the operational manuals were circulated to all borders. The vehicles qualifies for preferential treatment under the new rules. This issue was considered resolved during EAC 20th NTBs Forum |
|
|
NTB-000-665 |
8.7. Costly Road user charges /fees
Policy/Regulatory |
2015-03-02 |
Tanzania: Dar-es-Salaam Port |
Rwanda |
Resolved
2016-06-08 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Double payment of port exit fees: URT is charging double payment at inland and port exit. Inland container deposits have been introduced in reduce the congestion at Dar port. However, freight forwarders have reported being required to pay for port exit fees twice. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
This NTB was resolved. Rwanda transporters have not reported any further charges on the same |
|
|
NTB-000-656 |
1.4. Preference given to domestic bidders/suppliers
Policy/Regulatory |
2014-12-11 |
Tanzania: Ministry of Trade |
Kenya |
Resolved
2016-04-01 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Discrimination of Smirnoff of ice brand of East African Breweries (Kenya) Ltd products. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
At the NTBs Forum held in March/ April 2016, Kenya reported that the discrimination had been lifted. |
|
|
NTB-000-651 |
8.8. Issues related to transit |
2014-12-11 |
Tanzania: Along Central corridor |
|
Resolved
2016-06-30 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Tanzania has several weigh bridge stations along the central corridor |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
At the 21st EAC NTBs Regional Forum , Tanzania reported that the NTB had been resolved because there are only three weigh bridges Vigwaza at the coastal region, Njuki in Singida and Nyakahura in Kagera region weigh in motion weighbridges. It takes maximum of 4 days to exit the border from Dar Port and 2 days for fuel tankers. |
|
|
NTB-000-158 |
1.1. Export subsidies
A82: Testing requirement |
2009-07-27 |
Tanzania: Ministry of Agriculture |
Tanzania |
Resolved
2016-05-18 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Cumbersome procedures for , SPS certificates and the permits.The Ministry utilitises its own laboratories in Dar es Salaam with support from Tropical Pesticide Research Institute in Arusha which takes even more time. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
The procedures are being streamlined |
|
|
NTB-000-681 |
7.2. Discrimination
Policy/Regulatory |
2015-10-12 |
Uganda: Malaba |
|
Resolved
2016-06-30 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Uganda discriminatively imposed a 10 percent duty on Kenya manufactured Laundry bar soaps. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
At he 21st EAC NTBs Forum, Uganda reported that the 10% charged is Excise duty on cosmetics and soaps.
The NTB was resolved upon receipt of the statutory instrument from Uganda. |
|
|
NTB-000-443 |
5.5. Import licensing requirements
Policy/Regulatory |
2011-07-14 |
Kenya: Malaba |
Uganda |
Resolved
2016-06-30 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Kenya Charges a plant import permit (PIP) at Malaba on Ugandan tea destined for auction at Mombasa |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
Uganda reported that the NTB was resolved |
|
|
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-000-669 |
8.3. Immigration requirements (Visa, travel permit)
Policy/Regulatory |
2014-09-02 |
Tanzania: Immigration |
Kenya |
Resolved
2016-06-30 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Delay of issuance of work permit by United Republic of Tanzania |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
The issue is not about integrating the permits but the 'delays' in issuing the permit. This anomaly can be corrected. Focal points need to get more information on the nature of Delay. At the Tanzania NMC meeting, Immigration reported that the work permits are processed within 14 days maximum if all information is provided. |
|
|
NTB-000-449 |
7.3. Corruption |
2011-06-16 |
EAC |
Rwanda |
Resolved
2016-06-30 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Corruption along the Northern and Central Corridors (police roadblocks, weighbridge and border gates. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
This NTB is no longer obtaining . |
|
|
NTB-000-447 |
2.8. Lengthy and costly customs clearance procedures |
2011-09-03 |
EAC |
Rwanda |
Resolved
2016-06-30 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Customs working hours are not harmonized |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
Customs working hours have been harmonized by OSBPs |
|
|
NTB-000-438 |
1.1. Export subsidies
A9: SPS measures n.e.s. |
2009-09-16 |
EAC |
Kenya |
Resolved
2016-06-30 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Numerous institutions involved in testing goods in the EAC partner states. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
There is collaboration among testing agencies |
|
|
NTB-000-692 |
1.8. Import bans |
2016-01-27 |
Zimbabwe: Ministry of Agriculture, Mechanisation & Irrigation.
Department of Livestock & Veterinary Services |
Zimbabwe |
Resolved
2016-07-20 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Department of Livestock & Veterinary Services have issued a letter stating they are banning honey imports to protect their honey industry from disease. In the same letter, they state that there is plenty of local honey available so importers should buy local.
Zambezi Gold Honey from Zambia has been imported to Zimbabwe by Le Sel Distribution (Zimbabwean Company) for 6 years now. No complaint has ever been made.
No analyses have been shown to Le Sel (the importer) to prove disease exists.
Zimbabwe Vet Services has refused to consider any exemptions. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
The Program Officer - Sanitary and Phytosanitary in the SADC Secretariat reported that the NTB-692 on honey import ban from Zambia implemented by the Department of Veterinary Services of Zimbabwe had been resolved. Issuance of permits had resumed.
The SQAM - SPS Programme (Standards – SABF Sub-group) in collaboration with GIZ had actively engaged the Department of Veterinary Services for the timely resolution of the NTB.
We thank officials of the Department of Veterinary Services of Zimbabwe for their cooperation. |
|
|
NTB-000-531 |
8.1. Government Policy and regulations
Policy/Regulatory |
2012-09-28 |
Botswana: Kazungula Ferry |
Botswana |
Resolved
2016-08-15 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
This complaint is registered by FESARTA.
Chobe municipality is charging foreign transporters a fee to pass through its area of jurisdiction.
There is no justification for any municipality to charge transporters for travelling on the national roads through their areas.
The municipalities do not provide services to the transporters and the national roads are maintained by the national roads authorities.
This practice was started by Zambian municipalities and was halted by the Zambian government.
However, some Zambian municipalities continue to charge.
The practice also does not align with the RECs requirement that the transporters should pay road user charges and not other charges. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
The Focal Point advised that the Chobe Municipality no longer charges foreign transporters the fees. |
|
|
NTB-000-528 |
8.1. Government Policy and regulations
Policy/Regulatory |
2012-09-10 |
Zimbabwe: Nyamapanda |
Zimbabwe |
Resolved
2015-06-10 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
This complaint is registered by FESARTA.
Port Health at Nyamapanda, Zimbabwe, has issued a notice to the effect that all goods transiting the border are to be inspected, from 10th September.
The inspection in itself is not a problem.
However, a charge is to be levied for this inspection. This is unacceptable.
Port Health is a government department, which has a duty to perform, in the course of its daily work.
This duty is part of Port Health's daily workload and it budgeted for from Central Government.
Health inspections are done in the interests of the country and are not asked for by the transporter.
There should be no extra charge for this.
What would happen if every government department charged citizens for carrying out their daily duties? |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
During the meeting of COMESA Heads of Customs Sub- Committee held in Nairobi on 19-20 June 2015, Zimbabwe reported that the NTB was an internal control measure and what was required was sensitization of stakeholders on various import and export requirements. This was resolved at the 31st COMESA Trade and Customs Committee meeting held on 7-10 September 2015. |
|
|
NTB-000-679 |
2.3. Issues related to the rules of origin
Policy/Regulatory |
2014-01-23 |
Rwanda: Rwanda Revenue Authority |
Egypt |
Resolved
2016-08-24 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Rwanda doubts the originating status of wheat flour exported by Egypt |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
During the 5th Meeting of COMESA NTBs Focal Points held in Nairobi fro 23-25 August 2016, Egypt reported that the complainant had not been forth coming with additional information to facilitate consideration of this matter by the countries, In that regard, The two parties therefore decided that the matter be considered resolved . |
|
|
NTB-000-605 |
8.8. Issues related to transit |
2013-10-03 |
Democratic Republic of the Congo: Kasumbalesa |
COMESA |
Resolved
2016-08-24 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
This complaint is registered by FESARTA.
The unstable situation at the Kasumbalesa border post between Zambia and the DRC, is causing serious delays on the North-South corridor.
Over the past 6 months, lawlessness on the DRC side of the border, is leading to drivers foreign to DRC being harassed and, on some occasions, being attacked. Police have been unnecessarily harassing drivers for speeding, unroadworthy vehicles and incorrect documentation. The lack of security has resulted in two drivers being shot and wounded; the latest being Patrick Murifi, 31, a Zimbabwean truck driver.
This has caused drivers preparing to enter DRC from the South, to become agitated and, on two occasions, go on strike and effectively close the border to heavy vehicle traffic.
Copperbelt Police chief Joyce Kasosa has confirmed in an interview recently, that calm has been restored but trucks are still not crossing into and from DRC because the drivers want to be addressed and assured of their security while in that country.
It is clear that the situation is volatile and likely to erupt into violence at any time, for the slightest reason.
This situation is not conducive to intra-regional trade and unacceptable to the road transport industry.
A deputation from DRC yesterday to the drivers on the Zambian side, has convinced the drivers to start moving again.
However, the drivers have warned that if there should be further occurrences of the problem, they will blockade the border for 3 weeks.
SADC and COMESA are requested to intervene and call on the government of the Katanga province to take control of the situation and provide a stable environment conducive to intra-regional trade. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
During the 5th Meeting of the COMESA NTBs Focal Points held in Nairobi from 23-25 August 2016, DRC reported that the matter had been resolved following consultations with COMESA Secretariat and other interested parties . |
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