| Complaint number |
NTB Type
|
Date of incident |
Location |
Reporting country or region (additional) |
Status |
Actions |
|
NTB-000-090 |
2.8. Lengthy and costly customs clearance procedures |
2009-07-26 |
South Africa: SouthAfrica Revenue Services |
Mauritius |
Resolved
2011-03-09 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
There are delays in VAT refunds for Mauritian importers of South African goods. It is also not clear whether the VAT refunds re only for those companies that use South African imports. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
South Africa reported that this is no longer existing |
|
|
NTB-000-090 |
2.8. Lengthy and costly customs clearance procedures |
2009-07-26 |
South Africa: SouthAfrica Revenue Services |
Mauritius |
Resolved
2011-03-09 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
There are delays in VAT refunds for Mauritian importers of South African goods. It is also not clear whether the VAT refunds re only for those companies that use South African imports. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
South Africa reported that this is no longer existing |
|
|
NTB-000-091 |
2.3. Issues related to the rules of origin |
2009-07-26 |
South Africa: SouthAfrica Revenue Services |
Mauritius |
Resolved
2011-03-09 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
South Africa is not accepting the certificate of origin for cake decorations from Mauritius. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
South Africa reported that this is no longer existing |
|
|
NTB-000-089 |
2.8. Lengthy and costly customs clearance procedures |
2009-07-26 |
Tanzania: Tanzania Revenue Authority |
Mauritius |
Resolved
2011-05-23 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
There are long administrative procedures at the customs department with Tanzania Revenue Authority and other affiliated organizations. There are too many stages to go through before a container is released. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
Tanzania reported that easing of Customs Procedures and Improvement in Customs Clearance; Documentation procedures have been decentralized as a result of use of online lodging of documents and extended working hours at the custom's department, among other improvements. |
|
|
NTB-000-093 |
7.5. Lengthy procedures |
2009-07-26 |
Tanzania: Banking Institutions |
Mauritius |
Resolved
2011-05-23 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Tanzania banks delay processing bank documents resulting in vessel arriving at the port of destination before the importer receives the original documents from the bank. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
Tanzania reported that the complaint is obliged to comply with banks’ requirements to speed up the process |
|
|
NTB-000-092 |
2.8. Lengthy and costly customs clearance procedures |
2009-07-26 |
Tanzania: Dar-es-Salaam Port |
Mauritius |
Resolved
2011-05-23 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Tanzania demands pre-shipment inspection for exports from Mauritius. The lack of appointed inspection company in Mauritius makes abiding to the requirements of pre-inspection difficult. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
Tanzania reported that there is no pre-shipment inspection for exports from Mauritius. |
|
|
NTB-000-117 |
5.1. Quantitative restrictions |
2009-07-26 |
Kenya: Kenya Revenue Authority |
Mauritius |
Resolved
2011-07-28 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Restrictive import permit imposed by Kenya for importation of bread flour. This has been in place for more than ten years now. |
|
|
Products:
|
1101.00: Wheat or meslin flour |
|
|
NTB-000-095 |
2.8. Lengthy and costly customs clearance procedures |
2009-07-26 |
Mozambique: Mozambique Revenue Authority |
Mauritius |
Resolved
2010-11-10 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Mozambique companies importing paints from Mauritius have to pay a percentage of the customs duty upfront and the balance settled when clearing the goods. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
Mozambique reported that the question does not constitute a nontariff barrier, the Customs following a procedure laid that allows the granting of early release upon bail in a maximum of 72 hours. Eventually may be delays in the clearing process, in that case is not the customs responsibility but the Clearing Agent. |
|
|
NTB-000-095 |
2.8. Lengthy and costly customs clearance procedures |
2009-07-26 |
Mozambique: Mozambique Revenue Authority |
Mauritius |
Resolved
2010-11-10 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Mozambique companies importing paints from Mauritius have to pay a percentage of the customs duty upfront and the balance settled when clearing the goods. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
Complaint was resolved |
|
|
NTB-000-094 |
1.1. Export subsidies
B15: Authorization requirements for importers |
2009-07-26 |
South Africa: Ministry of Trade |
Mauritius |
Resolved
2010-11-22 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Mauritian exports of canned Tuna are denied entry into South Africa because South Africa does not recognize Ministry of Fisheries in Mauritius as being the regulatory body even though product qualifies for EUR1 certificate and is exported to the EU |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
South Africa reported that all inspections are carried out according to the requirements of the compulsory specification for “The manufacture, production, processing and treatment of canned fish, canned marine molluscs and canned crustaceans”, and these inspections are non-discriminatory. Furthermore, rejections on products are not done by an individual but by a panel and it is important to note that FAI is accredited by SANAS to the requirements of ISO 17020 ( accreditation for inspection bodies) |
|
|
NTB-000-055 |
2.3. Issues related to the rules of origin |
2009-02-09 |
Madagascar: Customs Department |
Mauritius |
Resolved
2010-11-29 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Mauritius reported that Madagascar has doubt on the originating status of sopa exported by Maniprove Company of Mauritius to Sarvonnerie Tropicale Company in Madagascar |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
Madagascar reported that elimination of this NTB is being done progressively |
|
|
Products:
|
3401.20: Soap in the form of flakes, granules, powder, paste or in aqueous solution |
|
|
NTB-000-434 |
2.3. Issues related to the rules of origin |
2010-04-15 |
Madagascar: Customs |
Mauritius |
Resolved
2015-12-16 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Madagascar does not confer originating status to Citron Plus soap manufactured by Mauritius and exported to Madagascar |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
The two parties agreed that the issue does not constitute an NTB because the soap exported by Mauritius to Madagascar enters duty free therefore its not a NTB. This matter is therefore resolved . Madagascar requested the Secretariat to organise . Mauritius confirmed that Exports are no longer subjects to verification on RoO. |
|
|
Products:
|
3401.11: Soap and organic surface-active products and preparations, in the form of bars, cakes, moulded pieces or shapes, and paper, wadding, felt and nonwovens, impregnated, coated or covered with soap or detergent, for toilet use, incl. medicated products |
|
|
NTB-000-434 |
2.3. Issues related to the rules of origin |
2010-04-15 |
Madagascar: Customs |
Mauritius |
Resolved
2015-12-16 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Madagascar does not confer originating status to Citron Plus soap manufactured by Mauritius and exported to Madagascar |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
During the COMESA NTBs Focal Points meeting held in August 2016, Madagascar and Mauritius informed the meeting that this NTB had been resolved in line with the decision of the 28th COMESA Council of Ministers |
|
|
Products:
|
3401.11: Soap and organic surface-active products and preparations, in the form of bars, cakes, moulded pieces or shapes, and paper, wadding, felt and nonwovens, impregnated, coated or covered with soap or detergent, for toilet use, incl. medicated products |
|
|
NTB-000-434 |
2.3. Issues related to the rules of origin |
2010-04-15 |
Madagascar: Customs |
Mauritius |
Resolved
2015-12-16 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Madagascar does not confer originating status to Citron Plus soap manufactured by Mauritius and exported to Madagascar |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
During the 27th COMESA TC Committee in August 2011, the COMESA Secretariat was directed to liaise with Madagascar to implement the Council decision taken at its 29th Meeting in Lusaka to provide justification for refusing the COMESA Certificate. Currently, Mopirove is exporting without difficulty . However an official decision is yet to be communicated to mauritius to avoid the risk that Madagascar Customs can refuse the COMESA Certificate of Origin from Mauritius |
|
|
Products:
|
3401.11: Soap and organic surface-active products and preparations, in the form of bars, cakes, moulded pieces or shapes, and paper, wadding, felt and nonwovens, impregnated, coated or covered with soap or detergent, for toilet use, incl. medicated products |
|
|
NTB-000-676 |
2.3. Issues related to the rules of origin |
2015-07-31 |
|
Mauritius |
Resolved
2026-02-18 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
The 2 stage transformation needed on clothing is too stringent as it stifles investment in manufacture of clothing due to economic reason and prices. Our company would want to invest in Bio organic fabrics. We invest in stock form India for knitted fabric jersey 100% but with this fabric we have issues to get the SADC certificate of origin as in the rules of origin it does not have 2 value added process. But we are a brand, we produce the garment here in Mauritius we do also the printing at our factory. Therefore there is two process, the cloth is cut here, and then printing.Please can our case be studied as we are a SME factory and for our survival we need to export to Africa. Can this case be study for the rules of origin be modified if the printing process is big part on the value of this product |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
Mauritius recommends marking the complaint as resolved, based on the commitment to propose a review of the Rules of Origin during the upcoming TNF meeting. The current regulations lack the necessary flexibility, hindering their effective application. A review would enable Member States to address these challenges and enhance our collaborative efforts. |
|
|
NTB-000-746 |
2.3. Issues related to the rules of origin |
2017-03-17 |
Kenya: Mombasa sea port |
Mauritius |
Resolved
2019-04-25 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Customs in Kenya are not accepting the COMESA certificate of origin which has been issued by the Competent Authority in Mauritius based on the "value addition" rule. While all criteria and conditions have been met to comply with the "value addition" rule, officials from the Kenyan Revenue Authority have blocked the consignments of refined sugar which were duly accompanied by a COMESA certificate of origin. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
On 12th October 2017, the Mauritius Focal Point reported that, the COMESA Secretariat facilitated a joint on-the-spot investigation between Mauritius and Kenya, carried out on 12-14 June 2017, in Mauritius, to ascertain whether the sugar exported by Mauritius to Kenya meets the origin criteria as set out by the COMESA Protocol of Rules of Origin.
The key findings of the investigation were that the refining of sugar goes beyond the simple mixing of ingredients and that the calculation of value addition was in line with the COMESA Protocol of Origin and therefore the sugar qualified for preferential access. |
|
|
Products:
|
1701.99: Cane or beet sugar and chemically pure sucrose, in solid form (excl. cane and beet sugar containing added flavouring or colouring and raw sugar) |
|
|
NTB-000-832 |
3. Technical barriers to trade (TBT)
B82: Testing requirement |
2018-08-28 |
Kenya: Mombasa sea port |
Mauritius |
Resolved
2019-10-18 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
All consignments of Sugar are systematically being on hold at customs in Mombasa for analysis though prior to shipment in Mauritius, a Certificate of Analysis is being issued and verified by SGS Mauritius and a Certificate of Conformity is issued by SGS South Africa based on Certificate of Analysis.
Same SGS is a recognized International Standards Body mandated by KEBS, we would like to understand why the sugar are also being analysed before clearance in Mombasa? |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
On 18th October 2019 , Mauritius reported that the Mauritian exporters reported that the consignments were released. We propose that this NTB be marked as resolved. |
|
|
Products:
|
1701.14: Raw cane sugar, in solid form, not containing added flavouring or colouring matter (excl. cane sugar of 1701 13) |
|
|
NTB-000-829 |
2.4. Import licensing |
2018-07-13 |
Zimbabwe: Ministry of Industry & Commerce and Enterprise Development |
Mauritius |
Resolved
2019-08-15 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
We, Soap & Allied Industries Ltd, Mauritius have shipped under the BL no. MEDUPL008430 & Comesa No.487/18 & BV CoC No.ZWE 2018 206608 / 0001 of 3 FCL of Detergent Powder since 19th June 2018 and reach on 13th July 2018, Our end consignee MEGA MARKET PVT LTD, Mutare, Zimbabwe has already apply for an Import permit month back which same use to be release within a week time.
Unfortunately they still awaiting for the permit for releasing of these FCL till now.
The Detention fee and storage charges incured are too much due to extended days and these will affect the selling cost for end customer as they are not able to clear out the goods.
Note: 3 more FCL of the same products already depart from Mauritius on 08th July 2018 and closed to reach.
We wish to have your attention on that issue and your kind consideration for the smooth doing business between both countries under the proper condition and trade agreement.
We request Zimbabwe to kindly consider on Urgent basis to assist our customer MEGA Market PVT Ltd to obtain the license so that the goods can be cleared. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
On 22 August 2019, Zimbabwe Focal Point reported that the import licence was issued therefore the NTB is resolved. During the national workshop to launch SMS tool, Zimbabwe reported that the issuance of licences took a maximum 24 hours . Delays are cause d by late or non submission of required documentation. |
|
|
Products:
|
3402.20: Surface-active preparations, washing preparations, auxiliary washing preparations and cleaning preparations put up for retail sale (excl. organic surface-active agents, soap and organic surface-active preparations in the form of bars, cakes, moulded piece |
|
|
NTB-000-831 |
3. Technical barriers to trade (TBT)
B82: Testing requirement |
2018-08-07 |
Kenya: Mombasa sea port |
Mauritius |
Resolved
2019-10-18 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Mauritius exports its Brown sugar produced locally to Kenya under EAS specifications which is an EAC standard.
However, we had an issue with one of our consignment with KEBS Samples ref dated 27 th July 2018.
Further to KEBS Laboratory Test Report, the content of Water Insoluble matter is 317 mg/Kg. It is our view that it is impossible to have such an amount in a sugar testing result. The maximum permissible Water Insoluble Matter allowed by KEBS is 250 mg/kg.
The same laboratory testing undertaken by the sugar mill in Mauritius has revealed a Water Insoluble Matter of a content of 33 mg/kg. As a result of this significant difference, the consignment has been blocked at customs in Mombasa since the 7th August 2018 date of Analysis started.
For transparency purposes, our company requests to understand what is the method being used to analyse the Brown Sugar. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
During the 4th Meeting of COMESA Sub Committee on Trade facilitation held in Nairobi on 17- 19 October 2019 , Kenya and Mauritius reported that the NTB had been resolved . |
|
|
Products:
|
1701.14: Raw cane sugar, in solid form, not containing added flavouring or colouring matter (excl. cane sugar of 1701 13) |
|
|
NTB-000-898 |
2.13. Issues related to Pre-Shipment Inspections |
2019-05-30 |
South Africa: SGS South Africa |
Mauritius |
Resolved
2020-01-17 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
All consignments subject to Pre-Shipment Verification of Conformity (PVoC) must obtain the Certificate of Confirmity (CoC) prior to shipment.
On average, it takes SGS South Africa about 3-5 days to respond to a request made by the exporter for issuing the CoC, and it takes them further 15-20 days to produce the CoC. In the meantime, the Mauritian exporting company has to incur several financial constraints while waiting for the CoC. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
On 17 January 2020, Mauritius Focal Point advised that the exporter has negotiated with SGS South Africa to reduce the number of days taken to obtain the Certificate of Conformity (CoC). SGS South Africa is taking a maximum of 12 days to process the CoC instead of 25 days.
The exporter has advised that they are now satisfied with the processing time. |
|
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