| Complaint number |
NTB Type
Check allUncheck all |
Date of incident |
Location |
Reporting country or region (additional) |
Status |
Actions |
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NTB-001-229 |
1.14. Lack of coordination between government institutions |
2025-01-16 |
Madagascar: other |
Tunisia |
Resolved 2026-05-18 |
View |
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Complaint:
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The Tunisian company "Société des Boissons du Cap Bon" has entered into a partnership with a Madagascan distributor, "4 Seasons", represented by Mrs. Safa Hamdi, for the distribution of its products, in particular juices, soft drinks and cheeses. The Tunisian company agreed to an annual forecast of 12 to 15 containers and in return granted the distributor exclusive rights to distribute its products on the Madagascan market.
The Tunisian company began working with this distributor with a first shipment on March 23, 2024, consisting of a total of four containers: three of juice and one of cheese. Attached are photos of the "Délice" brand products distributed by 4 Seasons in gas stations, supermarkets and traditional markets. Our distributor has also made considerable efforts to promote the products through sponsorship campaigns, urban billboards and a strong digital presence, demonstrating its commitment.
However, the Tunisian company encountered a problem: a company called IBC, which we understand is in the construction business and is neither a distributor nor a juice producer, registered the "Délice" brand in Madagascar under the name "Délice de Fruit" using our logo. It has since contacted the distributor of the Tunisian brand to try to persuade it to work with IBC using its trademark registration.
It should be noted that the "Délide de Fruits" trademark has been registered with the African Intellectual Property Organization (OAPI) since December 2022 and with the National Institute for Standardization and Industrial Property (INNORPI) since 2006, 2019 and 2022 (all documents are attached). |
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Resolution status note:
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The importer successfully cleared their goods under the preferential tariff framework. The electronically issued Certificate of Origin (No. 0170186, dated April 15, 2026) was ultimately accepted and validated by the Tunisian customs authorities. |
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NTB-000-212 |
1.1. Export subsidies A9: SPS measures n.e.s. |
2009-07-27 |
Lesotho: Ministry of Trade |
Zimbabwe |
Resolved 2011-07-28 |
View |
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Complaint:
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Unreasonable SPS requirements with no scientific basis or excessively averse to risk |
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Resolution status note:
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Lesotho reported that the import license for agricultural products is required to ensure food safety and to prevent the spread of diseases and insects. It takes a day for a license to be issued, at the Department of Agriculture. Information on SPS requirements is readily available from the Department of Agriculture. |
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NTB-000-214 |
1.1. Export subsidies A9: SPS measures n.e.s. |
2009-07-27 |
Lesotho: Ministry of Agriculture |
Zimbabwe |
Resolved 2011-07-28 |
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Complaint:
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Difficulty in accessing information onSPS requirements |
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Resolution status note:
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During the workshop establishing NMC for Lesotho held on 09 August 2011 in Maseru, it was confirmed that information on SPS requirements is available from the Ministry of Agriculture and that arrangements are in place to upload this information onto the website of the TMinistry of Trade & Industry Cooperation & Marketing. |
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NTB-000-070 |
2.10. Inadequate or unreasonable customs procedures and charges |
2009-07-23 |
Lesotho: Maseru Bridge |
Lesotho |
Resolved 2011-07-28 |
View |
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Complaint:
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VAT clearance procedures at the border posts are open to corruption. |
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Resolution status note:
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The Lesotho Revenue Authority (LRA) reported that they have all the necessary measures to combat corruption for all customs procedures and there is a high intolerance for corruption as there is a Corruption Investigation Unit within the LRA. LRA are in the process of introducing an automated system. |
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NTB-000-213 |
1.1. Export subsidies A14: Authorization requirement for sanitary and phytosanitary reasons for importing certain products |
2009-07-27 |
Lesotho: Ministry of Agriculture |
Zimbabwe |
Resolved 2011-07-28 |
View |
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Complaint:
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delays in getting SPS approvals |
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Resolution status note:
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Lesotho reported that the import license for agricultural products is required to ensure food safety and to prevent the spread of diseases and insects. It takes one day for a license to be issued, at the Department of Agriculture. Information on SPS requirements is readily available from the Department of Agriculture |
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NTB-000-065 |
5.2. Exchange controls |
2009-07-23 |
Lesotho: Ministry of Finance |
Lesotho |
Resolved 2010-11-22 |
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Complaint:
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Lesotho has restrictive and time wasting foreign exchange limitations |
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Resolution status note:
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Lesotho reported that this is not an NTB, but a measure taken to monitor and regulate illegal monies and corruption together with money laundering |
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NTB-000-134 |
5.7. Minimum import price limits Policy/Regulatory |
2009-07-27 |
Lesotho: Ministry of Trade |
South Africa |
Resolved 2010-11-22 |
View |
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Complaint:
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Lesotho regulates prices by fixing a floor price for peas |
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Resolution status note:
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Lesotho reported that she does not regulate prices for any product; however our marketing department sometimes makes some price recommendations based on the market price for legumes. At times when these food stuffs have been subsidized due to lack of food supplies as a result of drought, prices are being regulated (only on subsidized programmes). |
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NTB-000-082 |
5.7. Minimum import price limits Policy/Regulatory |
2009-07-23 |
Lesotho: Ministry of Trade |
Lesotho |
Resolved 2010-11-22 |
View |
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Complaint:
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Lesotho regulates prices by fixing a floor price for beans and peas. |
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Resolution status note:
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Lesotho reported that she does not regulate prices for any product; however our marketing department sometimes makes some price recommendations based on the market price for legumes. At times when these food stuffs have been subsidized due to lack of food supplies as a result of drought, prices are being regulated (only on subsidized programmes). |
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NTB-000-068 |
1.8. Import bans |
2009-07-23 |
Lesotho: Ministry of Trade |
Lesotho |
Resolved 2010-11-22 |
View |
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Complaint:
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Lesotho has banned importation of beer into that country |
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Resolution status note:
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Lesotho reported that there is no ban in importation of beer into Lesotho, so there is no NTB in this respect. |
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NTB-000-064 |
1.14. Lack of coordination between government institutions |
2009-07-23 |
Lesotho: Ministry of Trade |
South Africa |
Resolved 2010-11-22 |
View |
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Complaint:
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Import licences procedure is cumbersome. Different departments issuing licences for different products. The multi-departmental authorisation is cumbersome and the procedures are too long. |
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Resolution status note:
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Lesotho reported that this is no longer the case because One Stop Business Facilitation Center has been established. Almost all licensing departments from different ministries have been housed under one roof. |
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NTB-000-067 |
2.4. Import licensing |
2009-07-23 |
Lesotho: Ministry of Trade |
Lesotho |
Resolved 2011-07-28 |
View |
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Complaint:
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Lesotho is imposing requires permits on the imports of following bread, milk, eggs, bulk sugar imports, pulses, fruits and vegetables, livestock and liquor. |
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Resolution status note:
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Lesotho reported that she does require permits on the importation of some agricultural products. The Agricultural Marketing Act 26 of 1967 (amended by Act NO.18 of 1973, Order No.6 of 1991 and Act No.5 0f 2001) regulates the importation and exportation of the agricultural products in Lesotho.
The purpose of this Act is to prohibit the importation of products and supplies which are unsafe or inappropriate for the function for which they are to be sold.
Import Requirements:
•Valid Trading licence
•Import permit |
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NTB-000-063 |
7.8. Consular and Immigration Issues |
2009-07-23 |
Lesotho: Ministry of labour |
Lesotho |
Resolved 2010-11-22 |
View |
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Complaint:
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Lesotho is restricting employment of qualified manpower nit available in that country |
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Resolution status note:
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Lesotho reported there are expatriates who are working in Lesotho in various professions, so there is no employment restriction of qualified manpower in the country. |
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NTB-000-069 |
1.8. Import bans |
2009-07-23 |
Lesotho: Ministry of Trade |
South Africa |
Resolved 2010-11-22 |
View |
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Complaint:
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Lesotho has put a ban on the importation of wheat |
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Resolution status note:
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Lesotho reported that there is no such ban. Our local milling companies even import their wheat from South Africa. |
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NTB-000-066 |
5.12. Export restraint arrangements |
2009-07-23 |
Lesotho: Ministry of Mines |
Lesotho |
Resolved 2011-07-28 |
View |
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Complaint:
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Lesotho has put in place official regulations affecting exports of diamonds and manufactured products which are :
Export and Import control Act 1984
Examination and Movement certificate |
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Resolution status note:
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The meeting establishing Lesotho NMC held on 09 August 2011 in Maseru resolved that Lesotho's imposition of this requirement is accordance to article 9 (e) of the SADC Protocolon trade and therefore not an NTB. It was also observed that reporting country had not objected to Lesotho explanation submitted to the 9th meeting of the SADCSub Comitttee on Trade facilitation held in Gaborone on 27 July 2011. This matter is therefore considered resolved. |
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NTB-000-133 |
5.7. Minimum import price limits Policy/Regulatory |
2009-07-27 |
Lesotho: Ministry of Trade |
South Africa |
Resolved 2010-11-22 |
View |
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Complaint:
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Lesotho regulates prices for dry beans |
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Resolution status note:
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Lesotho reported that she does not regulate prices for any product; however our marketing department sometimes makes some price recommendations based on the market price for legumes. At times when these food stuffs have been subsidized due to lack of food supplies as a result of drought, prices are being regulated (only on subsidized programmes). |
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NTB-001-150 |
1.9. Determination of eligibility of an exporting country by the importing country |
2023-11-12 |
Lesotho: DURBAN PORT |
South Africa |
Resolved 2024-05-31 |
View |
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Complaint:
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THERE IS QUERIES IN REGARDS TO THE FABRIC AND BEING INSPOECTED, BUT NO RESULT HAS BEEN OUT FROM SARS SINCE A LONG TIME |
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Resolution status note:
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Lesotho Focal Point reported that the NTB had been resolved successfully |
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NTB-001-226 |
1.1. Export subsidies |
2024-11-20 |
Lesotho: Maseru Bridge |
Lesotho |
Resolved 2026-04-15 |
View |
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Complaint:
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Samples being sent by road-freight to South Africa for testing at an accredited laboratory were refused passage.
Company was informed that the only way to send the samples for testing was to send via air. The challenges are that bulk orders do not fit on an Airlink flight and therefore would require a specific mode of chartered transport .This increases costs significantly and could potentially be the cause that orders are cancelled |
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Resolution status note:
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The SADC NTBs held in Johannesburg South Africa resolved this NTB referencing (General regulations made in terms of the medicines and related substances act of 1965(Act No:101 of 1965)- Amendment published on the 1st August 2025). The amended legislation designate Maseru border post as Land Border Posts for import of any medicine or scheduled substance into the Republic of South Africa provided that the Authority is notified of and approves the intended importation. The email has been sent to BMA requesting for confirmation of the enforcement of the amended legislation by 15 April 2026. The amended legislation is attached for ease of reference. |
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NTB-001-248 |
8.2. Administrative (Border Operating Hours, delays at border posts, etc.) |
2024-11-01 |
Kenya: Diary board |
Uganda |
Resolved 2025-05-30 |
View |
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Complaint:
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Delays in issuance of import permits for milk
Permits take up to 5 months with no communication |
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Resolution status note:
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The meeting noted that the NTB issue had been resolved.
Uganda requested Kenya to fast-track the issuance of milk import permits. Kenya is committed to issuing permits timely manner |
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NTB-001-240 |
1.1. Export subsidies |
2024-11-01 |
Kenya: Kenya Diary Board (KDB) |
Uganda |
Resolved 2025-05-30 |
View |
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Complaint:
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The Government of Kenya, through the Kenya Dairy Board (KDB), has not issued export permits for Ultra-High Temperature (UHT) milk destined for Kenya since November 2024. This action constitutes a violation of the East African Community (EAC) Common Market Protocol and the Non-Tariff Barrier (NTB) Act, which is designed to facilitate the free movement of goods within the region.
The continued restriction has had severe consequences for Ugandan traders, leading to significant financial losses and, in many cases, the closure of their export businesses. This situation not only undermines regional trade commitments but also disrupts economic integration efforts within the EAC. |
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Resolution status note:
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Kenya informed the 38th RMC that:
1. Transfers of milk from Uganda to Kenya is ongoing
2. 10 million litres of milk were transferred from Uganda to Kenya between January and March 2025
3. 70 million Kgs have been transferred from Uganda to Kenya in 2024, and 67 million Litres transferred in the same period.
4. Kenya has no quotas on milk, and over 100 importers have been registered to transfer milk from Uganda to Kenya
5. Issued permits for milk if not absorbed effectively, do not allow for extension as per the regulations.
Kenya confirmed that the applications for the permits applied in November 2024 by Uganda were issued in March 2025 and provided evidence to Uganda for that matter. Hence, the NTB was resolved |
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NTB-000-054 |
5.2. Exchange controls |
2009-02-04 |
Kenya: Private Company |
Mauritius |
Resolved 2009-02-04 |
View |
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Complaint:
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Tara Florist of Mauritius reported that they made a payment in advance for an order of cut flowers to Mayfield Growers of Nairobi, Kenya on 17 August, 2007.
Mayfield Growers failed to deliver the products as agreed. Tara Florist has been sending reminders to Mayfield Growers. |
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Resolution status note:
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Government of Kenya facilitated resolution of the problem in 2007/8 |
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