| Complaint number |
NTB Type
Check allUncheck all |
Date of incident |
Location |
Reporting country or region (additional) |
Status |
Actions |
|
NTB-000-959 |
7.4. Costly procedures |
2020-05-18 |
Mozambique: Delegação Aduaneira de Zobwe |
Malawi |
Resolved 2022-06-28 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Introduction of escort fees.
An escort fee at Zobue to escort Illovo Sugar (Malawi) trucks to Beira. It is US$ 200 per batch of 3 vehicles. If there is a single vehicle/truck that must get to the port the fee is still $ 200.
And there is also a scanning charge of US $ 20 per vehicle. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
This NTB has been reported as resolved, considering the update provided earlier, which included some documents in the attachment. |
|
|
NTB-001-066 |
|
2022-01-01 |
Mozambique: Delegação Aduaneira de Ressano Garcia (Road) |
Mozambique |
Resolved 2024-03-31 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Introduction by Autoridade Tributária de Moçambique of a SINGLE ENTRY Temporary Import Permit (TIP) at a cost of MZN700, which is currently processed manually for the majority of vehicles at Ressano Garcia's KM4 facility.
The costs are prohibitive for companies moving transit cargo from South Africa to the Port of Maputo, with 15 loads per week per vehicle a common achievement. In addition, the delays experienced by the manual processing of the TIP document adds significant cost on account of the waiting time that drivers are subjected to. The Port of Maputo has collaborated with Customs in Mozambique to collect electronic payments for the TIPs, but so far only 10 companies have taken up the use of the facility. Even those companies registered on the Port's electronic system are not guaranteed speedy processing, and delays are still experienced by drivers as they still have to queue to collect the TIP document. Electronic payments should take precedent over manual payments, but in reality this is not the case. It is common knowledge that a R50 bribe will speed up the processing of the TIP document.
The SADC Protocol on Trade is clear in its reference to the removal of tariffs and non tariff barriers. At this point, the TIP cost to one company moving 180 trucks per month, is in excess of R1,4million ZAR or USD88,000. The manual processing compromises the integrity of the system and the costs directly impact the competitiveness of the trade route for imports and transit imports into Mozambique.
With the push towards the harmonization of regulations within the SADC and TRIPARTITE region, the TIP process should be harmonized with that of South Africa which has a multiple entry TIP valid for 6 months and is processed at no cost to the user. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
The NTB-001-066 was resolved, and the withdrawal of fees concerning the 750 Meticais fees paid for issuing and extending the Vehicles Temporary Import License on the foreign carriers was reviewed and published in Ministerial Diploma no. 33/2023 of February 14th, attached above. |
|
|
NTB-000-766 |
5.13. Other quantity control measures Policy/Regulatory |
2017-05-05 |
Tanzania: Tanzania Food and Drugs Authority |
Kenya |
Resolved 2019-04-27 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Intellectual property infringement. Tanzania Food and Drugs Authority requires manufactures to disclose recipe or formulae which is an intellectual property so as to approve or register products. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
During the bilateral Meeting held from 23- 27 April 2019, Tanzania reported that what is required is not the formula but the ingridients/composition contained in the product and it is an international requirement. Tanzania was of the view that the NTB should tabled during the meeting of the Standards committee where food and drugs experts are members.
However, the Meeting agreed that this NTB is resolved. |
|
|
NTB-000-268 |
2.8. Lengthy and costly customs clearance procedures |
2009-09-08 |
Namibia: Revenue Authority |
Namibia |
Resolved 2010-12-01 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Inspections, sealing/tagging of cargo cause major delays. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
Recruitment of personnel is in progress |
|
|
NTB-000-268 |
2.8. Lengthy and costly customs clearance procedures |
2009-09-08 |
Namibia: Revenue Authority |
Namibia |
Resolved 2010-12-01 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Inspections, sealing/tagging of cargo cause major delays. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
Recruitment of personnel in progress |
|
|
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-000-365 |
2.8. Lengthy and costly customs clearance procedures |
2010-02-10 |
Zambia: Matumbo and Chinsali |
Zambia |
Resolved 2010-07-30 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Inland Zambia State Police request for customs documents at Road Blocks (Matumbo, Chinsali) creating unnecessary delays. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
Zambia reported that it’s a requirement for security purposes, which applies to both locals and international road users. |
|
|
NTB-001-010 |
2.6. Additional taxes and other charges |
2020-03-20 |
Uganda: Busia |
Kenya |
Resolved 2022-06-14 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
INIQUITOUS TAX AND RESTRICTION OF TRADE
In order to export poultry products to Uganda, a Kenyan farmer/producer is charged 18% VAT, 6% withholding tax and 1% road levy. This is 25% cumulative tax payable to Uganda Revenue Authority (URA). It is important to note that in Uganda chicken is not vatable, yet they charge VAT on chicken from Kenya. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
On 14 June 2022, the EAC Secretariat reported that the SCTIFI meeting was informed that Uganda Law provides that processed chicken is charged VAT and is not discriminatory.
The meeting agreed that it was not an NTB and therefore resolved |
|
|
Products:
|
0207.13: Fresh or chilled cuts and edible offal of fowls of the species Gallus domesticus |
|
|
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-000-077 |
1.6. Domestic assistance programmes for companies Policy/Regulatory |
2009-07-23 |
South Africa: Industrial Development Corporation |
South Africa |
Resolved 2012-06-15 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) in South Africa grants concessional credit facilities to productive investments |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
The 10th meeting of the SADC Committee on Trade Facilitation held on 14-15 JUne 2012 agreed that the subsidy was permissible under the international trade rules and therefore the NTB should be considered resolved. |
|
|
NTB-001-147 |
2.2. Arbitrary customs classification |
2023-10-17 |
Kenya: Namanga |
Tanzania |
Resolved 2024-07-04 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Increased valuation of sales price of ceramic tile imported with no reasonable explanation from the local tax authorities. As far a cost is concerned, the production cost plus, long-distance transportation and customs clearance fees is higher than these of local producers. Therefore, we request Republic of Kenya to remove the requirements of uplifting the custom value and to use the local price. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
Secretariat advised that this is an operational issue can be discussed in Customs Committee |
|
|
NTB-001-147 |
2.2. Arbitrary customs classification |
2023-10-17 |
Kenya: Namanga |
Tanzania |
Resolved 2024-07-04 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Increased valuation of sales price of ceramic tile imported with no reasonable explanation from the local tax authorities. As far a cost is concerned, the production cost plus, long-distance transportation and customs clearance fees is higher than these of local producers. Therefore, we request Republic of Kenya to remove the requirements of uplifting the custom value and to use the local price. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
The issue was considered during the bilateral meeting that took place in Kisumu. During the meeting, Both Parties agreed that no administrative measures including uplifting the customs value of products from the other Party be taken without consultations. Kenya has since reviewed the customs values downwards. The issue was hence resolved |
|
|
NTB-000-852 |
2.6. Additional taxes and other charges |
2018-07-05 |
Tanzania: Ministry of LiveStock |
Kenya |
Resolved 2018-11-16 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Increase of Import and Export fees on animal and animal products by Tanzania. Tanzania has amended the “Animals & Animal Products Movement Control (Amended) Regulations, 2018” that has increased the charges. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
The CoC guided that:-
Refer the imposition of additional levies under the animal diseases (Livestock Markets) Regulations, 2018 by URT under Government Notice 476 of 31st August 2018 to SCTIFI.
The Secretariat guided that where national laws impose levies on imports and exports, this should not apply to goods originating within the EAC.
URT informed the meeting that such charges exist in other Partner States.
The SCTIFI meeting agreedthat this guidance should therefore be applicable to all Partner States.
The matter was resolved. |
|
|
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-000-448 |
8.8. Issues related to transit |
2011-09-02 |
EAC |
Rwanda |
Resolved 2014-12-11 |
View |
|
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-000-704 |
1.14. Lack of coordination between government institutions |
2016-04-22 |
Uganda: Ministries responsible for Trade in Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda |
Kenya |
Resolved 2016-12-07 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Inadequate or no information on the change of export and import procedures |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
This NTB was resolved by the meeting of the 22nd NTBs Forum held from 5-7 December 2016. |
|
|
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-000-322 |
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-000-228 |
5.3. Export taxes |
2009-07-28 |
South Africa: Ministry of Trade |
Botswana |
Resolved 2010-11-22 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
In South Africa, Minister can impose export tax under the Livestock and meat industries Act |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
South Africa reported that this act is in Botswana not SA. SA has an ‘Animal Health Act and the Meat Safety Act’, there are no export taxes under this act. |
|
|
NTB-000-150 |
2.3. Issues related to the rules of origin |
2009-07-27 |
Kenya: Kenya Revenue Authority |
Tanzania |
Resolved 2011-08-29 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
In some instances, Kenya customs demands that Tanzania exporters wishing to pernetrate the Kenyan market have to produce an EA certificate of origin or alternatively an international certificate of origin. An EA certificate of origin does not exist yet, since the EA countries are using the COMESA certificate of origin until they develope their own. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
At the NMC meeting held in Naifrobi on 29 August 2011, Kenya reported that there is an EAC certificate of origin currently issued by Confederation of Tanzania Industries (CTI) . |
|