Resolved complaints

Showing items 621 to 640 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
Check allUncheck all		 Date of incident Location
COMESA
EAC
SADC
Reporting country or region (additional)
COMESA
EAC
SADC
Status Actions
NTB-001-164 8.8. Issues related to transit 2024-04-26 Mozambique: Lesotho Resolved
2024-08-01 		View
Complaint: I was about to clear my stuff by the Border at Komatiport or Lebombo border post when the Police man of Mozambique by the name of Maphosa asked me to check my truck then asked for papers for the vehicle, my license, car insurance and important documents on my file, I gave him everything he wanted. He said I should clear my stuff and come back to him.
I went for clearing but then I was asked to bring truck papers and license, at that time Maphosa was no where to be found, I asked some police men about him but they said he is in Maputo and I have to go back to Maputo to fetch my things at the police station but never mentioning which police station should I go to, I had to leave all my goods at alfandegars storeroom which is renting even now.
I drove back to Lesotho without my license and some documents and luggages because the clearing could not be completed since the truck papers and my license were not available due to that Police officer. 		 
Resolution status note: The driving licence has been returned to the owner.  
NTB-000-645 1.1. Export subsidies 2015-01-23 Botswana: Ngoma Resolved
2015-02-11 		View
Complaint: I have a consignment of used vehicles imported from UK and the USA. They are being denied entry to Botswana on transit to Zimbabwe because they are not registered. Apparently Botswana does not allow unregistered vehicles to drive on their roads  
Resolution status note: The affected company reported that they managed to get assistance from the Namibia Customs officials who escorted the consignment back into Namibia then to the Zambia border. They used the Zambia route which is 400 kilometers longer. The company reported that the Department of Transport in Botswana informed them that there won't be a waiver for vehicles not registered in SADC or COMESA region. Only COMESA and SADC registered vehicles are allowed road transit in Botswana
However, tourism vehicles registered outside COMESA and SADC and vehicles destined for Botswana are allowed to be driven in Botswana.

FESARTA confirmed that, according to the regional policy, all vehicles not registered in COMESA or SADC would have to be loaded on other vehicles. 		 
Products: 8704.22: Motor vehicles for the transport of goods, with compression-ignition internal combustion piston engine "diesel or semi-diesel engine" of a gross vehicle weight > 5 t but <= 20 t (excl. dumpers for off-highway use of subheading 8704.10 and special purpose  
NTB-000-631 1.1. Export subsidies 2014-04-22 South Africa: Ficksburg Bridge Lesotho Resolved
2015-03-24 		View
Complaint: I apparently needed a certificate from the State Vet to carry wool tops over the border! This proved impossible to get in Ficksburg. I have also experienced many problems bringing craft goods over to South Africa from lesotho as we need to pay VAT on all goods coming to exhibitions. This is extremely time consuming process and then I have to claim the VAT back when I bring unsold goods back over the border!  
Resolution status note: On 24 March 2015, Lesotho Focal Point reported that the NTB had been resolved and therefore must be removed from the pending cases.  
Products: 5105.29: Wool, combed (excl. that in fragments "open tops")  
NTB-000-621 1.14. Lack of coordination between government institutions 2014-01-26 Tanzania: Nzega Town Rwanda Resolved
2014-12-11 		View
Complaint: High way attack that occurred in TANZANIA near NZEGA Town along the Central Corridor  
Resolution status note: At the 16th EAC regional forum on non tariff barriers held in Kigali in December 2014, Tanzania reported that security had improved. Tanzania was providing police escorts. This NTB is therefore resolved.  
NTB-000-311 8.7. Costly Road user charges /fees
Policy/Regulatory 		2009-09-09 Democratic Republic of the Congo: Ministry of trade Democratic Republic of the Congo Resolved
2010-07-30 		View
Complaint: High road charges and transport costs for exporters  
NTB-000-193 8.7. Costly Road user charges /fees
Policy/Regulatory 		2009-07-27 Mozambique: Ministry of Transport Malawi Resolved
2010-11-22 		View
Complaint: High cost of transportation. Nearly two-thirds of the exported product is transported by the long route of road and rail to Durban, rather than the less expensive route via rail to Nacala, Mozambique. The savings from use of the closer port would be as much as 7-10 percent of total cost  
Resolution status note: The corridors issues is being adressed thorugh the Regional trade facilitation programme. Th eissues are therfore being attended to in the overall regional infrastructure developement programme  
NTB-001-068 1.9. Determination of eligibility of an exporting country by the importing country
Policy/Regulatory 		2022-06-16 Kenya: Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Cooperatives. (State Department of Livestock0 Directorate of Veterinary Services Tanzania Resolved
2023-02-20 		View
Complaint: Happy sausage Ltd is meat processing company based in Arusha Tanzania. The company produced various types of sausages (fresh, smoked, cooked, fermented), bacon, harm, fresh, beef, lamb, pork and chicken. The company wanted to export its products in Republic of kenya. The company was advised to apply to the government of Kenya for ana import permit of meat and meat products sourced from Tanzania , particulary from its Arusha facility. The application letter is attached for easy reference. The DVS (Kenya) replied to the application through letter with Reference No. MOALF/SDL/DVS/VPH/GEN/54 dated 29th March, 2022 by citing key requirements for meat importation into Kenya(those guidelines included in the letter).

The company complied with all requirements . The dully filled risk assessment questionnaires was submitted to DVS (Kenya)on 12th April 2022 ( the questionnaires is attached for reference) . What remains undone is for the DVS (Kenya) to send staff to Tanzania to Inspect the slaughter and meat processing facility in Arusha. We humbly request the DVS (Kenya) to send its staff to inspect the facility so that to allow the the company to export meat and meat product in Kenya. 		 
Resolution status note: The Regional meeting was informed that the DVS of Kenya looked at the risk assessment questionnaire submitted by Happy sausage ltd and approved their import permit. The issue was administrative and was resolved.  
NTB-000-785 8.8. Issues related to transit 2017-10-25 Zimbabwe: Beitbridge Resolved
2019-08-21 		View
Complaint: Haphazard breaking of seals at Beitbridge Border without any proof of authentication. Customs officials are breaking the transit cargo seals on the containers and merely crossing out the seal on the manifest and replacing it with the temporary seal. This has severe implications as these containers have already been fumigated and opening the container compromises the fumigation process and leaves the load susceptible to tobacco beetle cross infestation at the border. As there is no authenticity/customer number/stamp endorsing the seal change it means that anyone could have tampered with the cargo on route and this possess another issue with our customers in the USA as it contravenes their anti terrorism procedures . There was legislation passed by ZIMRA in terms of SI 113 of 2017, the Customs and Excise (General) Regulations, SI 154 of 2001, Section 60 that states no seals should be opened in transit through Zimbabwe in order to improve the management of transit cargo. This new legislation needs to be passed on to the officials at Beitbridge (Zimbabwe side)as they are still breaking seals at the border.  
Resolution status note: During the meeting of the NTBs Focal Points held on 19-21 August 2019, Zimbabwe Focal Point confirmed the ZIMRA report below that, transit trucks which are picked by the system for Physical Examination (P/E) are referred to the container depot for P/E. The majority of these trucks are P/E waived.
 Where a physical examination is conducted broken seals are replaced and the replacing seals are endorsed on the manifest and the office stamps and signs.
 The above is the same procedure on both imports and exports.
 Where trucks are not referred for P/E the trucks are either escorted or sealed with electronic seals.
 When trucks are escorted no seals are broken.
 There are instances when the container has seals on all openings and ZIMRA break the other seal in order to place their electronic seal. In such a case appropriate endorsement is made on the manifest.
 There could be some cases probably where officers have not done this hence the complaint from the client. ZIMRA however does not have a point of reference since a particular case has not been cited.
 ZIMRA management have reminded all officers to ensure that whenever a seal is broken the appropriate endorsement is be done. 		 
Products: 2401.10: Tobacco, unstemmed or unstripped  
NTB-000-127 1.3. State subsidies, procurement, trading, state ownership
Policy/Regulatory 		2009-07-26 Eswatini: NAMBOARD Eswatini Resolved
2010-11-22 		View
Complaint: Government owns several parastatals that carry out trade.NAMBOARD receives vegetables on consignment from farmers and sells in hotels etc. If the consignment spoils because it is not bought, the farmer loses. At the same time NAMBOARD issues out licences for importing of similar items to those it trades in. The products affected are maize, rice, wheat, fruits and vegetables, flour, poultry, animal feed.  
Resolution status note: Swaziland reported that NAMBOARD issues import permits for vegetables and wheat as per the infant industry protection provision in the SACU 2002 Agreement.  
NTB-001-003 8.1. Government Policy and regulations 2021-01-26 Zambia: Zambia Revenue Authority Resolved
2024-06-13 		View
Complaint: Government of Zambia issues Statutory Instrument 115 of 2020 , The Customs and Excise Ports of Entry and Routes Amendment Order, 2020, 9A(1) Reads , goods exported through Victoria Falls port in accordance with this paragraph shall be transported by rail, this Order automatically is a ban to export goods to Zimbabwe as the whole process to export using rail is a burdensome to trade by small scale players. Most goods are bought in Kamwala area shops and some being bought in the industrial areas which small players can easily transport using their vehicles or hired vehicles as they combine wares. Introduction for use of Rail is a clear indication by the Government of Zambia to ban export of certain commodities to Zimbabwe as market access will be a challenge to those living within Victoria Falls and the whole part of matebelalend as they are forced to use Chirundu exit .
Trucks can reach Victoria Falls within a day which is different from train, trucks you can accompany your goods different from train, trucks you can be cleared in time whereas using train everything is dumped at one place. this will open other avenues of bush borders or direct smuggling at the borders as officials will not be clearing goods in trucks 		 
Resolution status note: The NTB is related to NTB-001-004 (which was resolved during the 3rd meeting of the COMESA Regional NTBs). The NTB is therefore resolved, on the ground that NTB-001-003 and NTB-001-004 are equivalent, and that the basis on which later was later was resolved applies to the former.  
Products: 0401: Milk and cream, not concentrated nor containing added sugar or other sweetening matter., 1905: Bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits and other bakers' wares, whether or not containing cocoa; communion wafers, empty cachets of a kind suitable for pharmaceutical use, sealing wafers, rice paper and similar products. and 34: CHAPTER 34 - SOAP, ORGANIC SURFACE-ACTIVE AGENTS, WASHING PREPARATIONS, LUBRICATING PREPARATIONS, ARTIFICIAL WAXES, PREPARED WAXES, POLISHING OR SCOURING PREPARATIONS, CANDLES AND SIMILAR ARTICLES, MODELLING PASTES, ‘DENTAL WAXES’ AND DENTAL PREPARATIONS  
NTB-000-299 5.12. Export restraint arrangements
Policy/Regulatory 		2009-09-09 Madagascar: Ministry of Trade Madagascar Resolved
2011-03-11 		View
Complaint: Government imposes export constraints on the exportation of wood  
Resolution status note: This is a measure to safeguard the environment. The elimination of non-tariff barriers will be done gradually.
  
NTB-000-300 5.12. Export restraint arrangements
Policy/Regulatory 		2009-09-09 Madagascar: Ministry of Trade Madagascar Resolved
2010-07-26 		View
Complaint: Government imposes export constraints on the exportation of wood  
NTB-000-650 6.6. Border taxes 2015-02-01 Mozambique: Delegação Aduaneira de Ressano Garcia (Road) South Africa Resolved
2015-06-19 		View
Complaint: Good day. Terminal Operator at Ressano Garcia plans to enforce fees to all cargo vehicles for the utilization of Ressano Garcia with effect from the 16th February 2015. The fees as attached to this request are ridiculous as a truck weighing 28Tons with Imports to Mozambique is expected to pay no less than R3000 on each occasion they enter Mozambique via Ressano Garcia. The upgrades at the port were an investment to ease trade facilitation and I'm of the view that traders are not opposed to paying however the required amount is way high and unfortunately the end-user will end up carrying these costs the end of the day.  
Resolution status note: On 25 February 2015, Mozambique focal point confirmed that there has not been any fee set or fee charged for the use of the cargo Terminal of Ressano Garcia, since this matter is still under discussion internally. This NTB is therefore resolved  
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-000-265 2.8. Lengthy and costly customs clearance procedures 2009-09-08 Namibia: Ministry of Trade Namibia Resolved
2010-11-22 		View
Complaint: General export licences and permits issued for all non SACU exports are processed by hand. There is no interface between the MTI permit system and ASYCUDA. The system is unpredictable with ever changing procedures as per the SACU agreement's Jacobsens' Index. The IEM requirements are not widely known, especially among incidental traders. There is limited capacity at MTI to handle and process the import and export permits. At present only one official is handling the permits. HS codes need to be obtained from Customs and Excise since MTI is not equiped to assist in this.  
Resolution status note: Namibia reported that the system determines the change in the rate of duties but not procedures due to economic and policy considerations. Information leaflets on IEM are readily available at the Customs information centre and more will be available at MTI.  
NTB-000-494 2.3. Issues related to the rules of origin 2012-04-17 Tanzania: Namanga Kenya Resolved
2013-04-10 		View
Complaint: Furniture International Ltd had reported in 5th April that locally manufactured furniture in Kenya with an EAC certificate of origin have been stuck in Namanga borders for more than two weeks that means in mid March. The company ended up paying full duties and incurred a loss of more than US$ 3,000. Three is need for mutual recognition between TRA and KRA in regard to certificates of origin since for example the case cited goods were clearly marked made in Kenya.  
Resolution status note: At the Tripartite NTBs Online Reporting, Monitoring and Eliminating Mechanism Meeting to Launch the SMS Reporting Tool held from 9-10 April 2013 in Lusaka, Zambia, Tanzania reported that this was a once off incident which has been corrected.  
NTB-000-603 2.9. Issues related to transit fees 2013-05-01 Mozambique: Delegação Aduaneira de Zobwe Malawi Resolved
2013-09-13 		View
Complaint: From May 2013 the government of Mozambique introduced a single window entry customs system which requires transiting goods should pay a transit bond on crossing Mozambique. However since implementation to date the system is not working properly as trucks are forced to stop at borders viz:- Zobue, Cuchamano, Miranje just to mention a few for long periods in some instances x3 weeks to a month before they can be cleared to cross. This is mainly because Mozambique bond is different to the rest of the regions bond sytems. In Mozambique they require a bond agent to post the equivalent amount of bond being applied for in cash value, i.e. if bond is USD1,000,000 then the agent has to hand over USD1,000,000 in cash either to govt or customs for the bond to be established. This has resulted in few people able to afford bond as such only a few agents are available and at the same time goods requiring their services are just huge volumes with huge values that the bonds are not sufficient to carter for all transiters. This is making exporters or importers waste a lot of time at the border thereby missing delivery schedules. At the same time transporters are raising freight charges as they are only able to make a single trip in a month than they used to do previously, almost x4 minimum. This is causing rising costs of goods in neighbouring countries and also missed opportunities for private traders like our company.  
Resolution status note: On 11th September 2013, Mozambique Focal Point reported that the alleged NTB´s related to the transit procedures in Mozambique, were removed, through the approval of Ministerial Diploma nº 116/2013 of 8th of August, which approves the Norms and Specific Principles to be taken into account in the implementation of Customs Transit of Goods. This Ministerial Diploma repeals the Ministerial Diploma nº 307/2012, of 15 of November.

Pursuance to reaching a common understanding on this matter, FCFASA members in Malawi reported that CAFAAM Executive Committee Members together with Malawi Revenue Authority, Ministry of Trade and Ministry of Transport and Executives from Malawi, travelled to Cuchamano and Nyamapanda to appreciate the various challenges (delays, costs, etc.) which came about as a result of the new transit procedures introduced in Mozambique in April 2013. The delegation met with Mozambique customs , Beira , Port authorities and had an opportunity to interact with Mozambican Clearing and Forwarding Agents and some Malawian drivers during the launch of the Diploma nº 116/2013 of 8th of August.

The delegation reported:-
1. It was agreed that the new Transit Bond Procedures in Mozambique are in line with international practice and appreciated the fact that in the absence of these procedures, a lot of traders were smuggling goods into Mozambique under the guise of “transit cargo”.
2. Mozambican Clearing agents had been given adequate notice to put in place the required bond guarantees although they were not ready by implementation date.
3. The general consensus was that the conditions (e.g. the required collateral) set up by banks, insurance companies and the authorities themselves for setting up the transit bond guarantees were too tough to be met by transporters and forwarding agents.
4. To this end, the Mozambican Government’s had exempted some products (tobacco, tea, sugar, cotton, etc.) from monetary bonding and reduced bond values from 100% on containerized cargo to 20% or 35% on break-bulk cargo. This measure would reduce pressure on the available bond levels for other cargo not exempted.
5. That there was need to license more “Despachantes” to speed up clearance procedures or alternatively, allow forwarding agents to be doing own customs clearing of cargo which they are moving.
6. There was need for Station Managers at the various borders to be taking stock of trucks available at the borders every day and talk to drivers who have stayed at the border for more than a day to encourage them to proceed with their journey so as to minimise the prevalent corrupt practices by some customs officers, guards, clearing agent.
7. A proposal to set up a “Help Desk” at the borders to achieve transparency and quarterly meetings between the various players at senior level.
8. Joint border training sessions between customs and other authorities and clearing & forwarding agents to be enhanced.
9.That various customs authorities establish a deliberate policy for Accrediting Clearing agents based on an exhaustive Risk assessment of each one of the agents and track record in order to “smoke out” fraudulent clearing and forwarding agents who cheat importers or assist them with smuggling practices,.

10. That Mozambican authorities should endeavor to translate and display the various rules and regulations into English to enable none Portuguese speaking people to understand the applicable regulations.
11.Mozambique customs advised that:
a. Clearing Agent need to quickly do a Supplementary Entry if there are any changes to a declaration (e.g. amending border of exit, amending values or quantity of goods, etc.) to avoid truck delays at the border or bond acquittals being blocked.
b. Once CORRECT documents are lodged and payment effected, their processing time is up to 3 hours only.
c. They would as far as possible, be rotating their staff to avoid corruption if they familiarize themselves too much to one border station. 		 
Products: 0902.40: Black fermented tea and partly fermented tea, whether or not flavoured, in immediate packings of > 3 kg  
NTB-000-552 2.2. Arbitrary customs classification
Policy/Regulatory 		2012-11-01 Zimbabwe: Head Office Zimra Zimbabwe Resolved
2013-08-07 		View
Complaint: form 47 which is customs declaration form on Rebate states, who enjoys travellers rebate and marked(excluding) reads excluding Any person employed as the pilot or master or any member of the crew of an aircraft, ship or vehicle arriving from outside Zimbabwe ,bus crew members,drivers are also included,why are they not given rebate allowance as other nationalities, this is a national benefit why excluding them , what benefits do they have as bus crew members? even the remission they dont understand about it even to be given that remmission they are not, this is the other reason why bus crew members are involved in smuggling with border officials, give them an allowance on daily basis  
Resolution status note: On 7th August 2013, Zimbabwe Revenue authority reported that , travelers rebate excludes "any person employed as the pilot or master or any member of the crew, of an aircraft, ship or vehicle arriving from outside Zimbabwe" This is in terms of Section 114 of the Zimbabwe Customs and Excise General Regulation Statutory Instrument 154 of 2001. This is therefore a legal requirement and it is mandatory that this be implemented. The same regulations also provide for a remission of duty for a consignment of a maximum value of US$20.00 every time one travels. Once the consignment exceeds the US$20.00 duty is paid on the full value of the consignment. Please note that smuggling of goods is an offence which may lead to seizure of the goods and at times prosecution and is therefore discouraged.
Based on this explanation, SADC secretariat advised that the NTB be marked resolved. 		 
NTB-000-398 7.8. Consular and Immigration Issues 2011-02-22 Mozambique: Ministry of Interior - Immigration Department Mozambique Resolved
2011-09-19 		View
Complaint: Foreigners are required to have a biometric document, either visa or residence document. This document is issued by the Ministry of Interior. The fees for issuing such documents are substantially higher than the cost of issuing the actual document, given that a passport containing a number of pages is charged at a much lower rate than a visa or residence document, while a visa is a sticker in a passport and a residence document is a simple plastic credit card-style ID. In addition for any national that is not from a Lusophone country a surcharge is levied over and above the cost of issuing the document. There is no indication of what this surcharge is levied for, since it does not equate to the service of actually issuing the document (which is covered by the actual document fee).  
Resolution status note: Mozambique reported that there is no regional fee standard to benchmark with. Visas are issued by a private sector company. Ministry of Interrior does not therefore control the visa fees.  
Products: 98: Reserved for national use  
NTB-000-401 2.8. Lengthy and costly customs clearance procedures
Policy/Regulatory 		2011-03-01 Mozambique: Customs Authority Mozambique Resolved
2011-09-29 		View
Complaint: For certain types of commodity such as cement, maize, and sugar Mozambican Customs requires a customs escort for transit cargo out of Beira Port to the hinterland. The customs escort costs 5,000Mt for between one and five trucks in a convoy. However: customs escorts cannot be arranged ahead of time and can only be arranged on presentation of a full set of completed clearance documents to customs; customs at Beira Port does not operate at weekends meaning that cargo loaded on a Friday afternoon after 3.30pm or over the weekend and requiring an escort must wait until Monday to move. In practice customs does not always have people available to escort convoys meaning that the documents required for clearance are given to the last driver in the convoy and only when this driver reaches the border can all the trucks in the convoy be cleared out of Mozambique  
Resolution status note: At the conusltative meeting held between SADC Secretariat and Mozambique focal points on 19 September 2011, ands subsequent meeting between SADC Secretariat, Cornelder de Mozambique, on 22 September 2011in Beira, Mozambique reported that Customs escorts are properly coordinated such that companies can make arrangements for escorts taking place during weekends well in advance. Customs at Beira have arrangements for availability of customs officer at all times to facilitates escorts. However, all documnetation for weekend escorts must be processed during office hours.  
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