Resolved complaints

Showing items 481 to 500 of 855
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
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Date of incident Location
COMESA
EAC
SADC
Reporting country or region (additional)
COMESA
EAC
SADC
Status Actions
NTB-000-464 6.2. Administrative fees
Policy/Regulatory
2011-09-12 Zambia: Zambia Revenue Authority Zimbabwe Resolved
2012-04-26
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Complaint: With effect from 12 September 2011, Zambia Revenue Authority has introduced exorbitant examination fees of K360, 000.00 for 2000 units @ ZMK 180 plus the CED fee of K50, 040.00. The inspection fee and CED are put together and charged as customs clearance fee (asycuda fee) - K410, 040.00 meaning the CED fees have gone up. The total customs clearance fee is now $100 per entry increasing by USD85.00 from USD15.00. The inspection fee does not change relative to the number of units exported/imported. It is a standard fee regardless of the units imported. The units referred to in the Statutory Instrument do not refer to units imported or exported but rather is just a unit of measurement determined by government. The charges, applicable to Imported into the country and those destined for Export out of Zambia, negatively impact on the landed cost of goods and defeat the whole concept of poverty alleviation in Africa. Zambia justifies the objective of the fee as to maintain the inspection equipment e.g. X – rays.  
Resolution status note: At the 3rd meeting the Tripartite NTBs Focal Points and NMC Chairs held in Dar -es-Salaam on 19-20 April 2012,Zambia reported that the examination fee was removed through a statutory instrument therefore the NTB is resolved. Zambia will forward the SI for posting onto the system.  
NTB-000-463 2.10. Inadequate or unreasonable customs procedures and charges 2011-09-21 Botswana: Sir Seretse Khama International Airport Botswana Resolved
2012-11-25
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Complaint: Imported whey permeate from the U.S. was charged an import duty amounting to P10 755.90 for goods valued at USD $4 875.00 (approximately P4100). In addition, they refused to recognize the product as being a whey product, which carries a lower rate of duty than the category for which we were charged. The product we were importing, known as Versilac, is a type of whey permeate, being the material passing through the filter used for extracting whey protein from whey. The only dairies producing whey permeate are those producing whey protein concentrate. No dairy in Southern Africa produces either whey protein concentrate or whey permeate. Our only option is to buy imported permeate and concentrate from South African importers, or to import it ourselves. Why should anyone pay a duty amounting to 262% of the value of the goods when similar goods are not produced anywhere in the region? The officers at BURS in Gaborone insisted they were making correct charges and calculations but we were not provided with an analysis, only the receipt we received once we paid the full amount. Our goods had already been at the airport a week trying to sort the issue out. Finally, we were forced to pay as we needed to begin production.  
Resolution status note: On 25 November 2012, the comlainant reported that the issue was partially resolved a few months later, when the company received a refund for some of the duty charged. BURS acknowledged that they had the wrong duty amount for that classification in their system. It is therefore assumed that the correct duty will now be charged from that time onwards. The company will continue to engage BURS to consider possibility of waiving duty 0n grounds that the product is for use in treatment of acute malnutrion, in other words it is a life-saving product. This NTB is therefore considered resolved.  
Products: 0404.10: Whey and modified whey, whether or not concentrated or containing added sugar or other sweetening matter  
NTB-000-460 6.1. Prior import deposits and subsidies
Policy/Regulatory
2011-06-06 Botswana: BURS Botswana Resolved
2013-05-23
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Complaint: Botswana BURS requires a deposit to be lodged with them prior to allowing any goods, being imported into Botswana, to cross the border. They will not accept a small deposit - enough to cover the VAT charges on the goods in question - they require a standard amount of P25 000. The only way to avoid paying this deposit is to meet the goods at the border and pay the amount which has been determined as owing that very day. It can be very difficult to meet trucks coming from Johannesburg at the border, particularly if you don't stay in Gaborone where most of the trucks cross. This results in many additional costs being incurred by the importer and can result in goods being returned to South Africa at the importers expense. For small consignments, where the VAT owed is only a few hundred Pula, more money can be spent on trying to get to Gaborone, at the right time (which often changes) in order to meet the truck and make the VAT payment, than the VAT amount itself. Perishable food products, if they need to be returned, are often lost completely resulting in major losses.  
Resolution status note: At the 11th meeting of the SADC Sub -Committee on Trade Facilitation held on 23 May 2013 in Gaborone, Botswana Unified Revenue Services (BURS) confirmed the following 3 available alternatives which enabled traders to pay for VAT/Duties without being at the point of entry so as to grant entry of goods:
i) Apply for gross payment account; through this account, the applicant is able to deposit funds into the account in which payable VAT/duties will be debited upon any importation of goods
ii) Apply for deferred account; this account enables importers to import goods and pay the accrued VAT/duties at the end of the each month (as explained on the NTB status notes initially afforded to you).
iii) Cash payment can be made at any BURS office countrywide after which that particular office will immediately liaise with the office at the point of entry of the imported
 
Products: 2008.11: Groundnuts, prepared or preserved (excl. preserved with sugar)  
NTB-000-458 2.8. Lengthy and costly customs clearance procedures 2011-09-08 Botswana: Martins Drift Botswana Resolved
2012-12-11
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Complaint: Time taken to clear both side, high cost of paid to clearing agents both sides and attitude of Botswana customs officials is a seriuos concern and a mojr NTB. What you encounter at boarders is inconsistant and contradicts what the government preaches in relation to SMME development.  
Resolution status note: Botswana reported that BURS is committed to ensuring that all procedures are standard, transparent and consistent at all times to all traders and are working hard to ensure that this is maintained. BURS are working hard on those issues to ensure efficient service delivery to all traders including SMMEs as they recognize the fact that they also contribute hugely to the growth of the country’s economy.

With regards to clearance, Botswana reported that, under normal circumstances, when one has all requirements in place, electronically processed customs declaration will be processed within 4 hours and manual declarations within 24 hours.

Clearing agents’ fees vary from agent to agent, however the average clearing fee for Imports is P650.00 and P450.00 for exports, this depends on mostly the weight, volume and type of commodity. These fees are set by the market. In order for the trader to be able to bypass the clearing agents they need to have registered for the ASYCUDA system with BURS, traders who trade at least every week and meet other mandatory requirements are given rights to use the ASYCUDA system.
 
NTB-000-457 8.7. Costly Road user charges /fees 2011-09-14 Zimbabwe: Plumtree Botswana Resolved
2012-04-26
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Complaint: charges for carbon tax and insurance affecting our traveling costs that needs to be removed for easer movement  
Resolution status note: At the 3rd meeting the Tripartite NTBs Focal Points and NMC Chairs held in Dar -es-Salaam on 19-20 April 2012, Zimbabwe explained that charging carbon tax and insurance are standard procedures in the SADC region. There is no violation of SADC or COMESA regulations. A carbon tax is for the protection of the environment therefore this NTB should be considered resolved.
1. Botswana requested that Zimbabwe provides the available information on the specific fees and or charges specifying whether the charges are per trip or for the whole year.
2. It was agreed that this NTB should be considered resolved once Zimbabwe has provided the requested information.
 
NTB-000-456 1.1. Export subsidies
A83: Certification requirement
2011-09-03 EAC Kenya Resolved
2014-12-11
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Complaint: EAC Standards Bureaus have varying procedures for issuance of certification marks, inspection and testing.  
Resolution status note: At the 16th NTBs forum held in Kigali in December 2014, EAC Secretariat reported that Partner States Regulatory Agencies are collaborating in clearance of goods and that there is now mutual recognition of certificates issued by Partner States Testing bodies. This NTB was therefore resolved.  
NTB-000-455 8.8. Issues related to transit 2011-09-03 Kenya: Central Corridor Rwanda Resolved
2011-09-19
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Complaint: Varying application of axle load specifications by Kenya. Kenya demands that trucks should noit weigh more than 48Tonnes axle load whereas other partner states allow 56tons.  
Resolution status note: The 6th EAC Regional Forum on Non tariff barriers held from 12-13 March 2012, adopted recoomendation from the meetin of EAC permanent secretaries of the sectoral Council of transport , communications and metrology held in Nairobi on 16-19 August 2011 that a meeting of experts be convined by EAC secretariat to develop supportive legal, institutional and operative framework for approval by the council in 2012. This NTB is therefore considered resolved by the regional forum.  
NTB-000-455 8.8. Issues related to transit 2011-09-03 Kenya: Central Corridor Rwanda Resolved
2011-09-19
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Complaint: Varying application of axle load specifications by Kenya. Kenya demands that trucks should noit weigh more than 48Tonnes axle load whereas other partner states allow 56tons.  
Resolution status note: The axle load was agreed at 56 tons in the recent past and could possibly be a case where a hiccup arises due to lack of information by the implementing agency. When we have such cases of varying application of axle load specifications by Kenya along the Northern Corridor (Weighbridge), then it is useful to specify the weighbridge and give necessary details for us to follow and address the complain . However, the issue of varying application of axle load specifications should no longer occur because the region has adopted a uniform applicable axle load of 56 Tonnes  
NTB-000-454 8.8. Issues related to transit 2011-09-03 Tanzania: Central Corridoor,Tanzania Uganda Resolved
2012-04-26
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Complaint: TRA has introduced check points in the Central Corridor with timeframes and imposed charges for the delays to reach the destinations  
Resolution status note: At the 3rd meeting the Tripartite NTBs Focal Points and NMC Chairs held in Dar -es-Salaam on 19-20 April 2012, Tanzania reported that the time frame of clearance of Transit goods from the point of entry to the point of exit had been used as control measure to ensure that there was no divergence of transit goods into local markets. In the Central corridor there are 3 check points that is Missugusugu, Dumila and Isaka.
From all these check points it takes 5 days to across border. In the southern corridor there are also 3 check points and it takes about 3 days to cross borders. Tanzania launched Electronic cargo Tracking System (ECTS) on 12th March, 2012 which was expected to commence operations in June, 2012. With ECTS there will be no need for Time frame as the goods would be monitored electronically. The legal document was given to Rwanda
 
NTB-000-453 8.8. Issues related to transit 2011-09-03 Tanzania: Ministry of Transport Burundi Resolved
2012-04-26
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Complaint: No movements of Cargo Trucks beyond 6:00 pm within Tanzania. This affects trucks from Rwanda, Burundi & Uganda  
Resolution status note: At the 3rd meeting the Tripartite NTBs Focal Points and NMC Chairs held in Dar -es-Salaam on 19-20 April 2012, Burundi agreed that this NTB be resolved on the basis that Tanzania was modernising the tracking equipment so as to have electronic devices that can be monitored electronically along the transport corridor to the final destination. This provision allows Tanzania Revenue Authprity to make the necessary timely interventions. Burundi and Tanzania have signed a joint MoU in joint patrol and were provided equipment to maintain security along the affected areas. However Tanzania wouldl notify Burundi on the operationalization of the Electronic Cargo Tracking System (ECTS).  
NTB-000-452 7.8. Consular and Immigration Issues 2011-09-03 Tanzania: Mbeya Uganda Resolved
2012-04-26
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Complaint: Tanzania Border posts charge Visa charges of US$ 250 for businessmen from Uganda.  
Resolution status note: At the 3rd meeting the Tripartite NTBs Focal Points and NMC Chairs held in Dar -es-Salaam on 19-20 April 2012, Tanzania reported that it does not charge visa from EAC members.  
NTB-000-451 8.7. Costly Road user charges /fees
Policy/Regulatory
2011-09-03 Kenya: Mombasa sea port Uganda Resolved
2014-12-11
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Complaint: Additional charges by Container freight stations.The port charges should include charges on container freight charges.  
Resolution status note: At the 16th EAC regional forum on non tariff barriers held in Kigali in December 2014, Kenya reported that the port charges by ICDs and CFS should be the one approved by port authorities. Kenya Ports Authority has signed a service level agreement to guide charges by CFS. This NTB is therefore resolved.  
NTB-000-450 2.11. Lack of control in Customs infrastructure 2011-09-03 EAC Uganda Resolved
2014-12-11
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Complaint: There is lack of verification sheds and parking yards at most border posts in the EAC partner states.  
Resolution status note: At the 16th NTBs forum held in Kigali in December 2014, EAC Secretariat reported that the 15th EAC Forum on NTBs noted that the ongoing construction of OBSP was addressing this NTB and Partner states reported that construction of OSBPs was at advanced stages at key border posts. This NTB is therefore resolved  
NTB-000-449 7.3. Corruption 2011-06-16 EAC Rwanda Resolved
2016-06-30
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Complaint: Corruption along the Northern and Central Corridors (police roadblocks, weighbridge and border gates.  
Resolution status note: This NTB is no longer obtaining .  
NTB-000-448 8.8. Issues related to transit 2011-09-02 EAC Rwanda Resolved
2014-12-11
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Complaint: Inadequate Police Escort mechanism.  
Resolution status note: At the 16th EAC regional forum on non tariff barriers held in Kigali in December 2014, EAC Secretariat reported that the All Partner States were providing police escorts. This NTB is therefore resolved  
NTB-000-447 2.8. Lengthy and costly customs clearance procedures 2011-09-03 EAC Rwanda Resolved
2016-06-30
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Complaint: Customs working hours are not harmonized  
Resolution status note: Customs working hours have been harmonized by OSBPs  
NTB-000-446 8.7. Costly Road user charges /fees 2011-09-03 EAC Kenya Resolved
2015-09-24
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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-000-445 2.8. Lengthy and costly customs clearance procedures 2011-09-02 Burundi: Revenue Authority Tanzania Resolved
2012-04-26
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Complaint: Burundi customs system does not interface within the customs’ systems in the Revenue Authorities in Partner States  
Resolution status note: Burundi and Rwanda NMC consultations held during the 3rd meeting of the Tripartite NTBs Focal Points and NMC Chairs in Dar-es-salaam on 19-20 April 2012 concluded that the issue had been resolved after Rwanda bureau of standards recognised that Burundi water meets international standards.  
NTB-000-444 1.1. Export subsidies
A83: Certification requirement
Policy/Regulatory
2011-09-02 Kenya: Ministry of Agriculture Uganda Resolved
2014-12-11
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Complaint: Non recognition by Kenya for SPS certificates issued by Uganda for tea destined for Mombasa action.  
Resolution status note: At the 16th EAC regional forum on non tariff barriers held in Kigali in December 2014, Kenya reported that the requirement would be abolished. Kenya reported that tea destined for auction at Mombasa for export must be warehoused in a bonded Customs warehouse (Transit Go down) of their choice. This NTB is therefore resolved  
NTB-000-443 5.5. Import licensing requirements
Policy/Regulatory
2011-07-14 Kenya: Malaba Uganda Resolved
2016-06-30
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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  
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