| Complaint number |
NTB Type
Check allUncheck all |
Date of incident |
Location |
Reporting country or region (additional) |
Status |
Actions |
|
NTB-000-210 |
7.6. Lack of information on procedures (or changes thereof) |
2009-07-27 |
Zimbabwe: Ministry of Agriculture |
Zimbabwe |
Resolved 2010-07-30 |
View |
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Complaint:
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There is no formal dissemination of information as to which agricultural products require permits. Importers are thus caught unaware and spend time processing documents required. |
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Resolution status note:
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Zimbabwe reported that the Ministry of Agriculture, Mechanisation and Irrigation Development is currently working on finalising their website on which such information can be accessed. Also a brochure containing such information is currently being worked on. The Permits office offers advice to clients on walk in basis. |
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NTB-000-378 |
7.6. Lack of information on procedures (or changes thereof) |
2010-02-10 |
SADC |
Zimbabwe |
Resolved 2012-06-15 |
View |
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Complaint:
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Cross border traders and exporters in general are not aware of the SADC FTA particularly the tariff reduction schedules. |
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Resolution status note:
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The 10th SADC meeting of the Sub Committtee on Trade Facilitation held on 14-15 June 2012 noted that tariff data is available on the SADC website for the benefit of stakeholders and that Member States have the responsibility to undertake sensitisation in their respective territories to create awareness. |
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NTB-000-250 |
7.6. Lack of information on procedures (or changes thereof) |
2009-09-08 |
Namibia: Revenue Authority |
Namibia |
Resolved 2012-05-03 |
View |
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Complaint:
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Customs documentation not stamped on export of cosmetics, creams, ointments to RSA, Angola and Botswana,is left behind and delivered late resulting in late claim or no claim of VAT. |
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Resolution status note:
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Namibia reported that according to Namibia customs regulations, customs cannot put a stamp on documents that have not been verified by them. It is the duty of the client to make sure that they pass an entry with customs ( declare the items with customs) in order for customs to authenticate such documents and to put the required stamps on the customs documents. |
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NTB-000-238 |
7.6. Lack of information on procedures (or changes thereof) |
2009-08-13 |
SADC |
Mozambique |
Resolved 2011-02-06 |
View |
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Complaint:
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Mozambique is experiencing difficulties using the NTBs online reporting system because it does not have a portuguese version. It is not enough to translate the user guide because users need to intract with the system itself. The secretariat should urgently look into this issue to enable Portuguese speaking countries to utilise the system. |
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Resolution status note:
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Website has been translated into French and Portuguese languages |
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NTB-000-202 |
7.6. Lack of information on procedures (or changes thereof) |
2009-07-27 |
Botswana: Botswana Bureau of Standards |
Zimbabwe |
Resolved 2010-11-22 |
View |
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Complaint:
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Difficulty in getting copies of relevant Standards |
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Resolution status note:
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Botswana reported that Botswana standards are accessible and available through Botswana Bureau of Standards (BOBS). ISO, EN, BS and other standards from SADC member states and other regions are obtainable through BOBS. Anyone can access or obtain standards through BOBS at a fee. |
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NTB-000-201 |
7.6. Lack of information on procedures (or changes thereof) |
2009-07-27 |
Malawi: Malawi Bureau of Standards |
Zimbabwe |
Resolved 2010-11-22 |
View |
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Complaint:
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Difficulty in accessing information on what Standards are relevant |
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Resolution status note:
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Malawi reported that the Malawi Bureau of Standards has booklets on standards which can be accessed by the business community on demand. |
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NTB-000-203 |
7.6. Lack of information on procedures (or changes thereof) |
2009-07-27 |
Mozambique: Mozambique Bureau of Standards |
Zimbabwe |
Resolved 2010-11-22 |
View |
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Complaint:
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Difficulty in getting copies of relevant Standards |
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Resolution status note:
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Mozambique reported that the question reported that INNOQ ( Mozambique national Institute of standards) there are many many – Brochures for the relevant standards |
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NTB-000-251 |
7.6. Lack of information on procedures (or changes thereof) |
2009-09-08 |
Namibia: Namibia Revenue Authority |
Namibia |
Resolved 2010-11-22 |
View |
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Complaint:
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Customs documentation not stamped on export of pharmaceuticals to RSA, Angola and Botswana,is left behind and delivered late resulting in late claim or no claim of VAT. |
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Resolution status note:
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Namibia reported that, procedurally no parcels are allowed to leave the Border with out the accompanying documentation. The same procedures are expected to apply at the border of the receiving country otherwise the items cannot be cleared |
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NTB-000-533 |
7.6. Lack of information on procedures (or changes thereof) |
2012-09-24 |
Zimbabwe: Victoria Falls |
Zimbabwe |
Resolved 2013-06-30 |
View |
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Complaint:
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We are importing fuel tankers from South Africa to Zambia. The trailers are SA Registered (Valid licence and Registration Plates - deregistered once in Zambia). The Truck Tractors are from our Zambian Fleet. On arrival at Beit Bridge, the documents are accepted by ZIMRA as trailers being exported to Zambia, drawn on their own wheels, in transit across Zimbabwe to Victoria Falls. The act of exporting the trailers on their own wheels is thus condoned by ZIMRA at Beit Bridge.
When we get to Victoria Falls, we are then told by ZIMRA that exported motorised vehicles must be carried on the back of a flat deck trailer. A statutory instrument is eluded to, but we have yet to see this.
Our arguement is as follows. The trailers have valid registrations and licences (not to mention all the Police Clearances for export), they are not motorised (self propelled), ZIMRA Beit Bridge has condoned the export on wheels and we are actually presenting ourselves at Vic Falls and have not disappeared with the units illegally into Zimbabwe.
Placing these units on flat decks is prohibitively expensive. We are not transporting imported cars from overseas that are deregistered and for which we understand the need to be transported whilst in transit across Zimbabwe on a flat deck etc.
There is no clear statutory instrument that we have seen on exports of this nature eg licenced trailers |
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Resolution status note:
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On 30 June 2013, Zimbabwe Revenue Authority reported that the treatment by Beitbridge to allow the trailers on their wheels when transiting through Zimbabwe for re-exports to Zambia was the correct treatment. The legislation on movement of goods in transit through Zimbabwe is in terms of Section 234(3) of the Zimbabwe Customs and Excise Act (Chapter 23:02) which reads "Where the goods in transit concerned are motor vehicles, no such motor vehicle shall be driven on any road in Zimbabwe but shall be transported on a long-haul motor vehicle carrier". This requirement was inserted by Act 3 of 2010 and was with effect from 1 November 2010. The requirement only affects motor vehicles and does not affect trailers as they cannot be driven but are rather pulled by mechanical horses. This interpretation had been discussed with the Station Manager Victoria Falls who shared the same view and assured that there would be no issues raised in this regard on trailers being re-exported to Zambia. |
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NTB-001-241 |
7.6. Lack of information on procedures (or changes thereof) |
2025-03-06 |
Kenya: Mandera |
Kenya |
Resolved 2025-05-30 |
View |
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Complaint:
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Tanzania Revenue Authority officers do not seem to have RECTS seals, therefore, demanding for facilitation from transporters. The facilitation includes, Per diem, incidental allowance, in transit allowance and fuel for the government vehicles. |
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Resolution status note:
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The meeting noted that the complaint was administrative and should be referred to the Committee on Customs for consideration
The meeting noted that the trader did not pay the amount requested of them.
The NTB was referred to SCOC for consideration and resolution |
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Products:
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6117.90: Parts of garments or clothing accessories, knitted or crocheted, n.e.s. |
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NTB-000-172 |
2.8. Lengthy and costly customs clearance procedures |
2009-07-27 |
Malawi: Dedza |
Malawi |
Resolved 2016-08-24 |
View |
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Complaint:
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cumbersome and bureaucratic delays encountered in the processing of documentation and clearing of goods at the border posts. |
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Resolution status note:
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Malawi reported that she had established trade facilitation tools e.g. Development of OSBPs with Zambia,( Muchinji/Mwami) and Tanzania. Draft agreements have been Mozambique and Malawi were now awaiting Official signing at Ministerial level. Malawi has also developed a one stop Malawi Trade portal with all legal regulations and procedures for all institutions in Malawi that deal with trade in goods. All trade and business related forms and procedures for the respective institutions can be dowloaded from the trade portal. |
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NTB-000-199 |
2.8. Lengthy and costly customs clearance procedures |
2009-07-27 |
Zimbabwe: Zimbabwe Revenue Authority |
Zimbabwe |
Resolved 2011-06-09 |
View |
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Complaint:
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Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA) machines are connected to Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe which is linked through the internet to enable them to access approved copies of CDI forms. Serious delays are faced in processing the export documents because the systems are frequently down or unable to connect during working hours. The verification process by RBZ takes too long - up to 3 days. |
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Resolution status note:
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Zimbabwe reported that there is fallback method in the event that the system is down. The CD1s are processed manually and are captured later in the excel spreadsheet which is then forwarded electronically to RBZ on weekly basis. There is therefore no delay in processing export documents |
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NTB-000-230 |
2.8. Lengthy and costly customs clearance procedures |
2009-07-28 |
Namibia: Namibia Revenue Authority |
Namibia |
Resolved 2011-03-09 |
View |
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Complaint:
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Border delays due to documentation and customs procedures. |
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Resolution status note:
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Namibia reported that the Ministry of Finance have so far appointed 61 entry level staff and interviews are still ongoing senior positions up to April 2011
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NTB-000-230 |
2.8. Lengthy and costly customs clearance procedures |
2009-07-28 |
Namibia: Namibia Revenue Authority |
Namibia |
Resolved 2011-03-09 |
View |
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Complaint:
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Border delays due to documentation and customs procedures. |
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NTB-000-249 |
2.8. Lengthy and costly customs clearance procedures |
2009-09-08 |
Namibia: Ministry of Trade |
Namibia |
Resolved 2012-04-26 |
View |
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Complaint:
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In Namibia the same information has to be provided and captured more than once in the import and export supply chain, e.g. Namport, Custom & Excise, MoF, MTI, NCCI, Carriers and Agents on exports of salt to West Africa and RSA,. |
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Resolution status note:
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At the 3rd meeting the Tripartite NTBs Focal Points and NMC Chairs held in Dar -es-Salaam on 19-20 April 2012, Namibia reported that, a client can obtain an import or export permit in one hour at the Ministry of Trade and Industry if all the required documents are provided. With regard to the export permit the delay comes in when the product is a controlled product where the client is expected to obtain a clearance certificate from the relevant Ministry for tax purposes or when the importing country policies and regulations requires that the imported product be accompanied by authorised documents from the relevant authorities. The meeting accepted Namibia’s submission to resolve this NTB |
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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 |
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Complaint:
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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. |
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Resolution status note:
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South Africa reported that this is no longer existing |
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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 |
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Complaint:
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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. |
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Resolution status note:
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South Africa reported that this is no longer existing |
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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 |
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Complaint:
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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. |
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Resolution status note:
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South Africa reported that this is no longer existing |
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NTB-000-245 |
2.8. Lengthy and costly customs clearance procedures Policy/Regulatory |
2009-09-08 |
Angola: Ministry of Trade |
Namibia |
Resolved 2011-11-30 |
View |
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Complaint:
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The acquisition of Pre-shipment inspection numbers and consequent inspection of shipments for exports to Angola make transport pre-planning quite difficult and cause lengthy delays for the transport industry. |
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Resolution status note:
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During the NTBs national workshop held in Angola on 30 November 2011, Angola reported that this NTB lacks clarity and complainant could not be traced to provide additional information. The complaint is therefore considered resolved unless additional information is provided. |
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NTB-000-253 |
2.8. Lengthy and costly customs clearance procedures |
2009-09-08 |
Angola: Ondjiva Customs |
Namibia |
Resolved 2011-11-30 |
View |
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Complaint:
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Clearance of goods by the Ondjiva customs at the Oshikango/Santa Clara border post is too time consuming (red tape/inefficient bureaucracy). |
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Resolution status note:
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During the NTBs national workshop held in Angola on 30 November 2011, Angola reported that its Customs service underwent a structural reform and modernisation resulting in the simplification and harmonisation of customs procedures. Clearance of goods takes maximum 48 hours, if documentation is properly submitted. |
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