| Complaint number |
NTB Type
Check allUncheck all |
Date of incident |
Location |
Reporting country or region (additional) |
Status |
Actions |
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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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NTB-000-359 |
2.8. Lengthy and costly customs clearance procedures |
2010-02-10 |
Kenya: Ministry of Home Affairs |
Tanzania |
Resolved 2011-07-28 |
View |
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Complaint:
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In Kenya, police can claim that a container is security risk and arrest it until customs people come. |
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Resolution status note:
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At the NMC meeting held in Nairobi on 29 August 2011, Kenya reported that this was an isolated case which did not repeat. |
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NTB-000-157 |
2.8. Lengthy and costly customs clearance procedures |
2009-07-27 |
Kenya: Kenya Revenue Authority |
Tanzania |
Resolved 2011-07-28 |
View |
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Complaint:
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Too much time is lost during cross border pre-shipment inspection and certification for Kenyan bound cargo. |
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Resolution status note:
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At the NMC meeting held in Nairobi on 29 August 2011, Kenya reported that KRA is currently carrying out time release study to determine time taken at borders.
2. EAC is in the process of introducing OSBP. |
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NTB-000-152 |
2.8. Lengthy and costly customs clearance procedures |
2009-07-27 |
Kenya: Kenya Revenue Authority |
Tanzania |
Resolved 2010-11-22 |
View |
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Complaint:
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Kenyan customs often demand a customs insurance bond for transit goods that pass through Kenyan roads en route to Uganda , Rwanda, Burundi and DRC. |
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Resolution status note:
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Issue resolved through EAC |
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NTB-000-117 |
5.1. Quantitative restrictions |
2009-07-26 |
Kenya: Kenya Revenue Authority |
Mauritius |
Resolved 2011-07-28 |
View |
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Complaint:
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Restrictive import permit imposed by Kenya for importation of bread flour. This has been in place for more than ten years now. |
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Products:
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1101.00: Wheat or meslin flour |
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NTB-000-361 |
7.9. Inadequate trade related infrastructure |
2010-02-10 |
Kenya: Ministry of Transport |
Tanzania |
Resolved 2016-06-29 |
View |
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Complaint:
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Unreliable, different readings on the internal weighbridges in Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi. Readings can differ as much as between 500-700kgs resulting in transporters paying unnecessary huge fines. Weighbridges are often verified, however, various factors which include technical faults of the instruments and unscrupulous conduct of the transporters sometimes result in false readings: This problem relates to transit goods in properly sealed containers that, under normal circumstances, cannot be opened before they get to destination. |
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Resolution status note:
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The EAC secretariat reported that the EAC Axle load act was enacted by EALA in May, 2014 |
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NTB-000-151 |
2.8. Lengthy and costly customs clearance procedures |
2009-07-27 |
Kenya: Kenya Revenue Authority |
Tanzania |
Resolved 2010-11-22 |
View |
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Complaint:
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On a number of occasions, Kenyan customs demands that products originating from Tanzania have to be unloaded for physical verification, which means destruction of the product packages. The importer has thereafter to repackage goods at own cost so as to fit original packages. Products most affected include tyres, textiles, cognac spirits and cigarettes. |
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Resolution status note:
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Issue resolved through COMESA customs and trade comittee |
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NTB-000-363 |
7.7. Complex variety of documentation required |
2010-02-10 |
Kenya: Kenya Revenue Authority |
Zambia |
Resolved 2010-11-22 |
View |
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Complaint:
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Documentations requirements for exports to Kenya are too cumbersome (SGS invoice is issued after one month and you are charged inspection charges. With regards to import permits, Zambian exporter has to raise COMESA Certification and send to Kenyan importer before shipping the goods. This process takes more than 3 months. |
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Resolution status note:
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Issue resolved through COMESA Customs and Trade Committee |
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NTB-000-049 |
2.8. Lengthy and costly customs clearance procedures Policy/Regulatory |
2008-12-22 |
Kenya: Kenya Bureau of Standards |
Egypt |
Resolved 2013-01-14 |
View |
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Complaint:
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Pre-verification of Compliance (PVOC)
Complaint drawn to the attention of the Kenyan authorities |
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Resolution status note:
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On 14 January 2013, Egypt Focal Point reported that Egypt was no longer complaining about the PVOC that Kenya is applying. So the NTB -000-049 should be put in the resolved NTBs category. |
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NTB-000-360 |
7.9. Inadequate trade related infrastructure |
2010-02-10 |
Kenya: Ministry of Transport |
Tanzania |
Resolved 2011-07-28 |
View |
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Complaint:
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Kenya is not calibrating the weighbridges; therefore there is use of different weights. Leading to rampant Bribery activities taking place at the weigh bridges |
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Resolution status note:
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At the NMC meeting held in Nairobi on 29 August 2011, Kenya reported the weighbridges have been automated such that weight is recorded online. |
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