| Complaint number |
NTB Type
|
Date of incident |
Location |
Reporting country or region (additional) |
Status |
Actions |
|
NTB-000-807 |
2.3. Issues related to the rules of origin |
2017-06-01 |
Tanzania: Tanzania Revenue Authority |
Kenya |
Resolved
2018-05-12 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Denial of preferential treatment on automotive products manufactured in Kenya by Toyota Tsusho East Africa Ltd. (TTEA) when exported to Tanzania i.e. for both Toyota Land cruiser 79 pickups and Hino trucks and buses. The products are being subjected to full CET duties. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
During the 25th EAC Regional Forum on NTBs held from 9- 12 May 2018, Tanzania reported that she observed EAC RoO on Motor vehicles which grants preferential treatment for automotive products assembled in EAC Partner States. Kenya reported during the Forum that this issue was resolved. |
|
|
NTB-000-294 |
2.8. Lengthy and costly customs clearance procedures
Policy/Regulatory |
2009-09-08 |
Namibia: Walvsi Bay sea port |
Namibia |
Resolved
2010-12-01 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Delays occur at Walvis Bay to get the required documentation out in time for the trucks to leave. It leads to the company paying demurrage/penalties for trucks standing idle |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
Recruitment of personnel in process |
|
|
NTB-000-437 |
8.8. Issues related to transit |
2010-05-12 |
EAC |
Kenya |
Resolved
2015-09-24 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Delays in transit bonds cancellation by EAC partner states |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
Now with the introduction of the Single Customs Territory using a single bond from the port up to final destination, the issue has been addressed. |
|
|
NTB-000-170 |
2.3. Issues related to the rules of origin |
2009-07-27 |
Malawi: Malawi Revenue Authority |
Malawi |
Resolved
2010-11-22 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Delays in the issuance of rules of origin certificates |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
Malawi reported that the NTB was been resolved Internally |
|
|
NTB-000-812 |
8.2. Administrative (Border Operating Hours, delays at border posts, etc.) |
2017-11-17 |
Tanzania: Tunduma |
Rwanda |
Resolved
2018-11-16 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Delays in releasing trucks at Tunduma & Rusumo border post by Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA) as a result of manual lodging of import documents |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
The NTB was resolved during the meeting of SCTIFI of 16th November,2018 |
|
|
NTB-000-205 |
1.1. Export subsidies
A82: Testing requirement |
2009-07-27 |
Malawi: Malawi Bureau of Standards |
Zimbabwe |
Resolved
2010-11-22 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Delays in obtaining approval of test reports |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
Malawi reported that the challenge had been noted by Government and measures are being taken to improve the procedures by the Standards Bureau |
|
|
NTB-000-206 |
1.1. Export subsidies
A82: Testing requirement |
2009-07-27 |
Mozambique: Mozambique Bureau of Standards |
Zimbabwe |
Resolved
2010-11-22 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Delays in obtaining approval of test reports |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
Mozambique reported that , in Mozambique there are many laboratories with the specific subject to deal with such tests and under the various Ministries as well the Universities. |
|
|
NTB-000-501 |
2.9. Issues related to transit fees |
2012-03-14 |
Kenya: Busia |
Uganda |
Resolved
2013-12-05 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Delays in issuing bonds at Kenya border with Uganda for tea meant for auction in Mombasa |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
On 5 December 2013 Kenya Focal Point reported that the NTB had been resolved. The Republic of Kenya had over the last two years taken various measures to address all challenges faced by traders along the northern transport corridor some under the presidential directives and committees to resolve all barriers to trade.
Kenya focal point requested that the Republic of Uganda provide an update on the currentsituation to clarify whether it was an issue of delay and if so, what is the current experience? |
|
|
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 |
|
Complaint:
|
Delays in issuance of import permits for milk
Permits take up to 5 months with no communication |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
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 |
|
|
NTB-000-702 |
2.3. Issues related to the rules of origin |
2015-09-17 |
Tanzania: National Environment Management |
Rwanda |
Resolved
2018-05-12 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Delays in issuance of certificates by Tanzania’s NEMA (National Environmental management Authority) which has the validity for three months. It also takes three months to renew the certificate that allows Bralirwa Ltd to export broken glasses and bottles to Dar es Salaam to be recycled by KIOO Ltd.
Reported in 2015.
|
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
During the 25th EAC NTBs Forum held on 9- 12 May 2018, URT and Rwanda reported that this issue hadbeen resolved. |
|
|
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 |
|
Complaint:
|
delays in getting SPS approvals |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
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 |
|
|
NTB-000-196 |
2.3. Issues related to the rules of origin
Policy/Regulatory |
2009-07-27 |
SADC |
Zimbabwe |
Resolved
2011-11-10 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Delays in communicating signatories that verify certificates of origin. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
SADC Secretariat reported that,in accordance to rule 9 of Annex I of the SADC Protocol on Trade, “Member States shall deposit with the Secretariat the names of Departments and Agencies authorized to issue the certificates required […],specimen signatures of officials authorized to sign the certificates and the impressions of the official stamps to be used for that purpose, and those shall be circulated to Member States by the Secretariat.” SADC Secretariat circulates all the documentary evidence to Member States immediately upon receipt. In addition, the SADC Customs Unit is working in a user-friendly customs related link in the SADC Secretariat’s website to accommodate not only issues related to documentary evidence for the processing of SADC RoO, but also all the binding documentation that enhances trade in the Region. |
|
|
NTB-000-506 |
1.1. Export subsidies
Policy/Regulatory |
2012-03-14 |
Kenya: Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Services |
Tanzania |
Resolved
2014-12-11 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Delays by Partner States to harmonize SPS protocol has resulted in cut-flower from Tanzania for re-exports to Europe and Russia blocked by Kenya. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
At the 16th EAC regional forum on non tariff barriers held in Kigali in December 2014, Kenya reported that the blockage had been lifted. This NTB is therefore resolved. |
|
|
NTB-000-502 |
8.5. Infrastructure (Air, Port, Rail, Road, Border Posts,) |
2012-03-14 |
Kenya: Malaba |
Rwanda |
Resolved
2012-09-28 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Delays at Malaba border for trucks driving to Uganda due to lack of facilities at the border |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
The Focal points for Kenya and Rwanda reported that the scope of facilities reported missing at malaba include Air, Port, Rail, Road, Border Posts facilities and therefore making it quite difficult to address the NTB. It was therefore recommended that the NTB be removed from the system and any folow up complaint should be be reported accurately to reflect the true position of operations at the border in reference. Border posts facilities at Malaba are in place and operational. |
|
|
NTB-000-154 |
2.8. Lengthy and costly customs clearance procedures |
2009-07-27 |
Tanzania: Tanzania Bureau of Standards |
Tanzania |
Resolved
2011-07-28 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Delays and high cost of screening honey. Tanzania Bureau of Standards takes from 3 to 4 weeks with constant follow up; 20 items are screened on payment of T50,000/- |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
Tanzania Bureau of Standards reported that there is some improvement on the dwell time at TBS Test house. There has been an influx of samples in the food sector which has resulted in companies having to wait for maximum 1-2 weeks. The current capacity of the conformity infrastructure (soft and hard), has necessitated that TBS Laboratory applies a first come first attended procedure. TBS encourages the business community not to wait until the last hour before they lodge their enquiry.
2. The cost of conducting an analysis is determined by the type of analysis to be conducted and therefore the cost of the reagents which goes up with time. Example, the current (2011) analysis cost for Honey is 160,000.00Tanzanian Shillings per sample. |
|
|
NTB-000-332 |
2.3. Issues related to the rules of origin |
2009-09-09 |
Eswatini: Customs |
Eswatini |
Resolved
2010-07-28 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Delays have been experienced in the issuing Certificates of Origin |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
Swaziland reported that Customs Department issues certificates of origin for exports destined to US through AGOA and EU through Euro 1. The Trade Promotion Unit issues certificates for SADC and COMESA. Therefore there is need for clarity on which of these institutions is causing delays. |
|
|
NTB-000-669 |
8.3. Immigration requirements (Visa, travel permit)
Policy/Regulatory |
2014-09-02 |
Tanzania: Immigration |
Kenya |
Resolved
2016-06-30 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Delay of issuance of work permit by United Republic of Tanzania |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
The issue is not about integrating the permits but the 'delays' in issuing the permit. This anomaly can be corrected. Focal points need to get more information on the nature of Delay. At the Tanzania NMC meeting, Immigration reported that the work permits are processed within 14 days maximum if all information is provided. |
|
|
NTB-001-027 |
2.2. Arbitrary customs classification |
2021-07-26 |
Madagascar: Toamasina Port à gestion autonome ( sea port) |
|
Resolved
2021-10-04 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Dear All,
Shipment of 3 Shipment Ex port-Louis - Toamasina
B/L 912715161 (3 isotanks) et 912706516 (2 isotanks) ETD Port-Louis 21/7/2021 ETA Toamasina 26/7/2021
B/L 912756116 31/07/2021 ETD 31/07/2021 ETA Toamasina 05/08/2021
For B/L 912715161 et 912706516- After all the proper import procedures were made. Goods were delivered to our client premises. Customs requested for another product testing and a minutes was signed between customs and my client (Sama)
FYI, kindly note that for all product of this kind a product sample is provided to the ministry of health for a certificate of conformity. Same was received for both shipments.
Despite all the export and import procedures were followed scrupuciously and in good faith. To-date our client has not received any notification regarding the product testing and its results. The goods are in our client premises but cannot be used as long as clearance is not obtained from customs. All the queries made by our client to the customs has been unfruitful.
B/L 912756116 - Those isotanks are blocked in the port. No clearance will be received as long previous shipment has not received clearance form customs. All the storages incurred will be on the behalf of our client.
This situation is severely jeopardising our client activities given they are almost out of stock. On our side, we have not received any payment from our client given that there is no visibility about this customs issue.
We hope the above will help and remain at your disposal for any further info you may require.
Very best regards
JEAN FRANCOIS DESVEAUX
MANAGING DIRECTOR
Ground Floor2
Hi Tech Center
Coastal Road
Pointe Aux Sables
Mauritius
Office: +230 235 02 69
Mobile:+230 5 254 70 20
E-mail: jeanfrancoisd@skvaint.com
Website: www.skvaint.com
|
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
The Malagasy Customs Attache based in Mauritius facilitated the exchange of information with the Malagasy Customs and the issue was resolved. All containers have been cleared as confirmed by the exporter on 4th October 2021. The issue is resolved. |
|
|
Products:
|
3808.94.9: --- Other: |
|
|
NTB-000-165 |
8.7. Costly Road user charges /fees |
2009-07-27 |
Tanzania: Dar-es-Salaam Port |
Tanzania |
Resolved
2012-06-15 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Dar es Salaam port charges are considered high although it is one of the best ports in the region. Registration and accreditation of transporters is high, In addition to the charges and logistics, transit bonds are bureaucratic and are treated differently in other SADC countries. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
The 10th meeting of SADC Committee on Trade facilitaion agreed that the NTB was outdated & also that ‘charges’ had to be unpacked to enable comparison of all types of charges imposed at the port. It was noted that Dar es Salaam Port has special dispensations for transit cargo, which are not offered to cargo destined to Tanzania. According to the latest study by Tanzania, the Dar es Salaam port is the cheapest in the Region therefore this NTB was considered resolved. |
|
|
NTB-000-373 |
7.1. Arbitrariness |
2010-02-10 |
Tanzania: Dar-es-Salaam Port |
Zambia |
Resolved
2011-05-23 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Dar es Salaam port arbitrarily transfers containers to Inland Container Deports without the knowledge of importers and charges importers between US$150-US$200 depending on the type of ICD the containers are sent to. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
Tanzania reported that, currently the TPA is discouraging the Transit Cargo to be transferred to ICDs by keeping them at the port or by operating the system of Whole Ship Transfer to ICDs with no additional charges. |
|
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