| Complaint number |
NTB Type
|
Date of incident |
Location |
Reporting country or region (additional) |
Status |
Actions |
|
NTB-000-668 |
8.8. Issues related to transit |
2015-02-17 |
Uganda: It is the Police of Iganga in the Republic of Uganda who take in hostage of the truck and its driver because they get and accident. |
Burundi |
Resolved
2015-12-21 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Following the accident held in IGANGA in the Republic of Uganda on 17 February, 2015 at 19h30, east african time, the truck which is registered in Burundi has been taken in hostage by Uganda Police until today and the driver is in prison at IGANGA. The truck have a COMESA Insurance that occurs wherever you are in the sub region.The COMESA insurance number is 0067772 (truck ) and 0067773 (trailer) valid from 23/03/2014 to 03/22/2015. The truck has the registration number of A2588A (truck) and T0110A (trailer). We are requesting that this truck and its driver can be released, so that they can continue their travel. Note that the truck contains the construction materials and shoes and was returning to Burundi. |
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Resolution status note:
|
On 21st December 2015, Uganda Focal Point reported that they had contacted the Police Chief- Director of Traffic who is also a member of the NMC. The truck was released long time ago and therefore this is a resolved NTB. |
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|
NTB-000-668 |
8.8. Issues related to transit |
2015-02-17 |
Uganda: It is the Police of Iganga in the Republic of Uganda who take in hostage of the truck and its driver because they get and accident. |
Burundi |
Resolved
2015-12-21 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Following the accident held in IGANGA in the Republic of Uganda on 17 February, 2015 at 19h30, east african time, the truck which is registered in Burundi has been taken in hostage by Uganda Police until today and the driver is in prison at IGANGA. The truck have a COMESA Insurance that occurs wherever you are in the sub region.The COMESA insurance number is 0067772 (truck ) and 0067773 (trailer) valid from 23/03/2014 to 03/22/2015. The truck has the registration number of A2588A (truck) and T0110A (trailer). We are requesting that this truck and its driver can be released, so that they can continue their travel. Note that the truck contains the construction materials and shoes and was returning to Burundi. |
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|
Resolution status note:
|
Uganda Focal Point contacted the Police Chief- Director of Traffic who is also a member of the NMC. The truck was released long time ago and therefore this is a resolved NTB. |
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NTB-000-387 |
7.9. Inadequate trade related infrastructure |
2010-12-03 |
Zimbabwe: Victoria falls |
Zambia |
Resolved
2011-06-06 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Flt Ks 131 ACK 5928/ACE 6891 T/ ACC 4918 T. This vehicle has a GVM of 54.4 tons on the Lstone weighbridge but is declared at 57.13 tons in Vic Falls.
The truck has been refused a reweigh for 4 days which is against the normal practice.
This is an electronic weighbridge and from vast experience on Zambian weighbridges, it is suspected that the weight is recorded incorrectly by the operator pressing the enter button before the weighbridge settles and therefore recording a higher weight than actual.
Zimbabwe is also charging exccessive fines above the SADC recommended scale of fines by demanding a rate massively in excess. Zimbabwe also does not give a percentage allowance as per SADC agreement. |
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Resolution status note:
|
On 06 June 2011, Zimbabwe reported that that the Victoria Falls Weighbridge was calibrated (standardised) in mid-March 2011. The Ministry of Industry and Commerce's Trade Measures Department together with the Vehicle Inspection Department (VID) carried out the standardisation process. Zimbabwe has not yet received any complaints since then. |
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|
NTB-000-261 |
7.4. Costly procedures |
2009-09-08 |
Angola: Ondjiva Customs |
Namibia |
Resolved
2011-11-30 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Extended and unpredictable turnaround time resulting in additional costs of trucking into Angola. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
During the NTBs national workshop held in Angola on 30 November 2011 it was reported that customs observations were that truck drivers leave trucks at the Angola borders for 3 or more days and return to Oshikango to resolve personal issues, claiming that they are processing documents. Too many trucks are parked at the border without information where the drivers are. In some cases drivers have reported that they are not clear of the physical addresses of destination of the load in Angola. Angola Customs is investing in creating the best conditions for commercial and non commercial border users. Santa Clara border is undergoing a massive expansion with a view to become a regional and international example of trade facilitation infrastructures. |
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NTB-000-713 |
2.6. Additional taxes and other charges |
2016-06-30 |
Uganda: Busia |
Kenya |
Resolved
2016-12-07 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Exports to DRC are subjected to verifications at Busia border and consignments sealed but an additional charges and verification is done at Busitema where the seal is broken and customer/transporter is charged. |
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Resolution status note:
|
The NTB was resolved during the 22nd EAC NTBs Forum held in December 2016 |
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NTB-000-160 |
1.1. Export subsidies
A82: Testing requirement |
2009-07-27 |
Tanzania: Tanzania Bureau of Standards |
Tanzania |
Resolved
2011-08-28 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Exports go through unnecessary, onerous and costly testing and documentation procedures, since the TBS, TFDA, Ministry of Health and Tanzania atomic energy authority each have to issue export certification on every export consignment. |
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Resolution status note:
|
Tanzania Revenue Authority reported that TRA does random physical verification as part of risk management analysis before clearing and this is done mainly on textiles motor vehicles. |
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NTB-000-160 |
1.1. Export subsidies
A82: Testing requirement |
2009-07-27 |
Tanzania: Tanzania Bureau of Standards |
Tanzania |
Resolved
2011-08-28 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Exports go through unnecessary, onerous and costly testing and documentation procedures, since the TBS, TFDA, Ministry of Health and Tanzania atomic energy authority each have to issue export certification on every export consignment. |
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Resolution status note:
|
Tanzania reported that Tanzania Institutions have been established and governed by Laws. The process of establishing Testing procedures under one roof is underway. |
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|
NTB-000-160 |
1.1. Export subsidies
A82: Testing requirement |
2009-07-27 |
Tanzania: Tanzania Bureau of Standards |
Tanzania |
Resolved
2011-08-28 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Exports go through unnecessary, onerous and costly testing and documentation procedures, since the TBS, TFDA, Ministry of Health and Tanzania atomic energy authority each have to issue export certification on every export consignment. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
Tanzania reported that Tanzania Institutions have been established and governed by Laws. The process of establishing Testing procedures under one roof is underway. Tanzania Revenue Authority reported that TRA does random physical verification as part of risk management analysis before clearing and this is done mainly on textiles motor vehicles. |
|
|
NTB-001-016 |
2.10. Inadequate or unreasonable customs procedures and charges |
2021-04-28 |
|
Uganda |
Resolved
2021-10-19 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Exporters of mattresses are suddenly required to pay 1250 USD dollars per mattress.This is an unclear tax and exorbitant. |
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Resolution status note:
|
The Republic of Uganda confirmed that the NTB was resolved. |
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Products:
|
9404.2: - Mattresses : |
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NTB-000-595 |
2.13. Issues related to Pre-Shipment Inspections |
2013-06-10 |
South Africa: Ficksburg Bridge |
Lesotho |
Resolved
2015-03-25 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Exporter's containers (in transit to USA) are stopped by South African Revenue Services (SARS) at Ficksburg border post, South Africa and consignments are checked exclusively notwithstanding the fact that they are being checked by the Lesotho Revenue Authority (LRA) before they are dispatched. SARS requires certificate of origin before they can process Electronic Data Interchange and that goods be off-loaded from the containers and then re-loaded and this requires extra manpower thereby adding on the cost of manufacturing. Moreover, exporters have to pay standing charges for transporters as they have to stay overnight at the border as the process takes about 6-12 hours and this impacts negatively on many other shipping processes. The process also causes goods to reach their destinations after the agreed timeframe and as a result exporters fail to meet their customers' requirements.
The incident has happened on more than one occassion. |
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Resolution status note:
|
On 25 March 2015, Lesotho Focal Point reported that the NTB had been resolved and therefore must be removed from the pending cases. |
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NTB-000-183 |
5.12. Export restraint arrangements |
2009-07-27 |
Malawi: Ministry of Trade |
Malawi |
Resolved
2010-07-22 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Export restraint on Unmanufactured tobacco |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
This is no longer obtaining |
|
|
NTB-000-962 |
5.4. Quotas |
2020-04-07 |
South Africa: International Trade Administration Commission of South Africa (ITAC)
South African Revenue Services (SARS) |
|
Resolved
2020-11-26 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Export permits were identified by participants as a major issue in South Africa but not an issue outside South Africa. To apply for an export permit, a company engaging in international trade concurrently applies for the export permit approval from the International Trade Administration Commission of South Africa (ITAC), Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (DTIC) and the National Department of Health (NDOH). Once approved by DTIC and NDOH, ITAC provides the exporter with a permit. Once the permit is issued by ITAC, the exporter will send the permit approval to South African Revenue Services (SARS) to issue a customs clearance for export to take place. However, one could have an ITAC permit and not have a SARS customs clearance. Without the SARS clearance, medicines will not be exported.
The issue of export permits is discussed in detail below:
1. Due to the COVID-19, South Africa restricted the export of pharmaceutical products to meet domestic demand. While the objective to meet domestic demand is noble, the challenge is that some medicines limited to export permits are unrelated to COVID-19.
2. Also, application forms keep changing even after engagements with stakeholders with the export products restricted under a single HS code.
3. Another challenge is that essential medicines that are exempt from export permits are subject to export permits. This violates SADC regional guidelines for harmonising and facilitating movement of critical goods and services across the region during the COVID-19
4. Products that are readily available locally are also subjected to export permits (the exception being countries in the Southern Africa Customs Union-SACU). This in turn restricts movement of lifesaving medicines to needy markets and affects company profitability.
5. Participants also highlighted frustration with the slow approval of permits (although it is improving) in South Africa by the International Trade Administration Committee (ITAC), South Africa’s Department of Trade and Industry which is received in a fragmented fashion, resulting in delays, thereby putting products at risk.
6. The above challenges on export permits in South Africa were confirmed by a participant from Mauritius. According to the participant, his company has been unable to order new stock from South Africa since March 2020. Their stock has been depleted due to delays in issuance of export permits by ITAC.
7. Lastly, participants also expressed their frustration with the slow processes by the SARS in processing customs clearance of export permits and noting that the requirements are changing on a regular basis without proper notice.
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Resolution status note:
|
Following a series of meetings organised by the SADC Business Council and subsequent follow-ups with the Department of Trade Industry and Competition (DTIC) in South Africa, the DTIC on 26 November 2020 amended the COVID-19 export control regulation issued in February 2020 which removed, with immediate effect, the restrictions on export of essential
medicines for SADC countries. |
|
|
NTB-000-428 |
2.3. Issues related to the rules of origin |
2011-08-01 |
Tanzania: Mbeya |
Kenya |
Resolved
2013-10-17 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
EXPORT OF PLASTIC FROM KENYA TO TANZANIA ARE SUBJECTED TO 25% DUTY |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
At the 12th Regional Forum on NTBs held from 14th – 17th, October 2013, at EAC Headquarters, Arusha, Tanzania, the EAC secretariat reported that a report of the verification mission was considered by the meeting of SCTIFI following which , letters were sent out to Partner States and revenue authorities informing them that plastic products are supposed to benefit from preferential treatment. |
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|
Products:
|
3905.21: Vinyl acetate copolymers, in aqueous dispersion |
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|
NTB-000-277 |
5.3. Export taxes |
2009-09-08 |
Rwanda: Ministry of Trade |
Rwanda |
Resolved
2011-10-27 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Export levies of 15% is charged on unprocessed goat hides |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
Rwanda hs lifted the ban on exportation of raw hides and skins. However, the 5th EAC regional forum on NTBs held from 1-3 Septmber 2011 noted that the ban was appllied by all EAC countries with the aim to encourage value addition on raw hides towards export. |
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|
NTB-000-309 |
5.3. Export taxes
Policy/Regulatory |
2009-09-09 |
Democratic Republic of the Congo: Ministry of Trade |
Democratic Republic of the Congo |
Resolved
2010-07-30 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Export duty is levied on timber. |
|
|
NTB-000-184 |
5.12. Export restraint arrangements
Policy/Regulatory |
2009-07-27 |
Malawi: Ministry of Trade |
Malawi |
Resolved
2010-11-22 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Export ban on maize, maize meal and other maize byproducts. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
Malawi reported that the ban was effected when national stocks of maize were low but licenses were routinely given after the situation improved |
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NTB-000-909 |
8.8. Issues related to transit |
2009-07-01 |
EAC |
EAC |
Resolved
2018-11-16 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Existence of several weigh bridge stations in the central and Northern corridors. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
Transit trucks should be weighed twice, weigh bridges should be reduced to two (2) one at the point of entry and the other at the port of exit.
The two weigh bridges should be equipped with a High Speed Weigh-In Motion (HS-WIM) equipment to save time spent at weigh bridges.
Kenya and Tanzania have installed the High Speed Weign In Motion Weigh Bridges (HS-WIM).
Number of Weigh Bridges in Partner States are as follows: Burundi: 0, Kenya: 4, Rwanda: 0, Tanzania: 3 as agreed, Uganda: 2
The meeting recommended that Uganda be urged to consider installing High Speed Weigh-In Motion Weigh Bridges to resolve this NTB.
URT waived the US$40 sticker fees on transit trucks going through weigh bridges in the central corridor with immediate effect. |
|
|
NTB-001-082 |
2.6. Additional taxes and other charges |
2021-07-01 |
Kenya: Kenya Revenue Authority |
Uganda |
Resolved
2023-05-17 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Excise duty on imported onions, potatoes, potatoes crisps and potatoes chips effective 1st July 2022 at rate of 25% imposed by Kenya |
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Resolution status note:
|
The 34th RMC noted that the provision of the Law is not applicable hence no NTB has occurred so far and Kenya is requested to amend their law and rectify it to avoid the NTB from occurring. This NTB has been resolved. |
|
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NTB-000-788 |
2.3. Issues related to the rules of origin |
2017-06-01 |
Ethiopia: All Ethiopian banks. |
Egypt |
Resolved
2020-07-09 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Ethiopian banks are requiring invoices for sales to Ethiopian customers to be stamped by a Chamber of Commerce in Egypt as validation for letters of credit, which is contrary to COMESA rules. Indeed, as per Rule 10 of the COMESA Protocol on Rules of Origin, the only documentary evidence to demonstrate that a good originates from a COMESA Member State is a certificate of origin (not invoices). Consequently, any company should be able to issue an invoice from any country inside or outside the COMESA region, as long as the origin of the products themselves is correctly documented according to COMESA rules through a certificate of origin. Ethiopian banks should comply with Rule 10 of the COMESA Protocol on Rules of Origin and stop requiring invoices to be stamped by predetermined entities (including, inter alia, by a Chamber of Commerce in Egypt). |
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|
Resolution status note:
|
On 9 July , Egypt reported that Egypt accepted Ethiopia feedback which is compliant with the COMESA Rules of Origin |
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NTB-000-973 |
We are asked to pay 500mts to gain entry and exit to and from Mozambique (250 in/250 out) under the guise that the trucks need to be inspected. |
2020-08-04 |
Mozambique: Delegação Aduaneira de Namaacha |
Eswatini |
Resolved
2021-07-09 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Eswatini Company is asked to pay 500mts to gain entry and exit to and from Mozambique (250 in/250 out) under the guise that the trucks need to be inspected in line with Ministerial Diploma NO 18/2007 of February 9, which approves the table of various fees for Border Posts, effective from August 2, 2020. However inspection cargo is not done and therefore we are made to pay for services not rendered. Further , the drivers have t pay to get their passport stamped.
How do we dertermine the time the vehicles stays at the border if we are billed a hourly charge all documentation and taxes dues are paid in advance to try and speed the process up why does the driver need to pay to have his passport stamped on arrival and more strangely on exiting with an empty vehicle. |
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Resolution status note:
|
Mozambique Focal Point reported that the inspection fee for motor vehicles at the Namaacha border was charged under Ministerial Diploma nº 18/2007, of 9 February. However, said fee was revoked by Ministerial Diploma nº 28/2021, of 30 April 2021 |
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Products:
|
3214.10: Glaziers' putty, grafting putty, resin cements, caulking compounds and other mastics; painters' fillings |
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