| Complaint number |
NTB Type
|
Date of incident |
Location |
Reporting country or region (additional) |
Status |
Actions |
|
NTB-000-756 |
8.7. Costly Road user charges /fees |
2017-05-05 |
Kenya: Kaijado County |
Burundi |
Resolved
2019-08-21 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Namanga/Kajiado County charges 2,000 Ksh for all Burundi cargo trucks transiting Kenya |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
During the Focal Points meeting held on 19- 21 august 2019, Kenya reported that this NTB had been resolved. Kajiado County no longer charges the 2000Ksh for Burundin cargo. Burundi confirmed that although they had confirmation of the charge for June 2019, there had not been any further charges in from July 2019 . However, both countries will continue to monitor . This NTB is therefore resolved . |
|
|
NTB-000-776 |
8.7. Costly Road user charges /fees
Policy/Regulatory |
2017-05-05 |
Tanzania: Ministry of Works, Transport & Communications |
Uganda |
Resolved
2022-06-14 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Tanzania still charges US$500 to Uganda trucks compared to US$152 charged on Rwanda trucks. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
On 14 June 2022, EAC Secretariat reported that the experts' meeting met in March 2022 and gave recommendations to be considered by TCM.The Sectoral Committee on Trade was informed that the two Partner States had a bilateral meeting and agreed to charge Uganda tracks 10 USD charged per 100 Kilometers. Hence the NTB is resolved |
|
|
NTB-000-782 |
8.7. Costly Road user charges /fees |
2017-09-17 |
Zimbabwe: Chirundu |
Zimbabwe |
Resolved
2019-08-21 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Trans[porters are experiencing the following delays and other administrative costs as a result of the sealing process by ZIMRA:
• The vehicles are delayed up to 24 hours while waiting for the seals
• ZIMRA Officials remove existing seals to fit their seal and then do not replace the seals when their electronic seals are removed
• ZIMRA Officials have refused to endorse the documents when seals have been removed
• They have damaged transporters equipment and gone so far as to use a drill on a loaded fuel tanker to drill a large hole to fit their seal. This is completely unacceptable!
• Where one of their seals was incorrectly fitted and fell off the truck, they then cut other seals and drew samples of the product to ensure it had not been contaminated. No explanation was given and our customer consequently rejected the load as the integrity had been corrupted
• Transporters are expected to adhere to routes stipulated by ZIMRA. We have Route Risk Assessments on all our routes. The route is determined due to a number of factors including distance and safety. This is pertinent to Zimbabwe where the road infrastructure is failing
• Beyond the instruction to pay for the sealing, transporters are further expected to pay the costs of escorts |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
The payment for sealing is a requirement in terms of the law in terms of Statutory Instrument 113 OF 2017. A fee of $30.00 shall be levied on every road vehicle conveying goods and break bulk cargo through Zimbabwe upon which electronic seals and magnetic sealing cable are placed on the cargo in term of the law.he vehicles are delayed up to 24 hours while waiting for the seals.Noted, it is not the intention of ZIMRA to delay any vehicle because of sealing, sealing is done in the minimum possible time and where delays are experienced, one can immediately contact the Supervisor or Manager on duty for assistance. Contact numbers for Supervisors and Managers are displayed in the offices .
ZIMRA has since obtained the seals and there are no more delays . |
|
|
NTB-000-792 |
8.7. Costly Road user charges /fees |
2017-11-01 |
Zambia: Chililabombwe |
|
Resolved
2019-01-11 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Transporters are being charged a motor vehicle fee by Chililabombwe Municipal Council. There is no justification for such a fee since the transporters do not receive any services from the Council. The transporters are travelling on national roads, which are maintained by the government and not the Council. The transporters pay road user charges to the government to maintain the roads. According to NTB-000-480, this was addressed on the 7 September 2016, but this problem has emerged again since 20th October 2017. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
Zambia reported that the by-law has now been revoked and councils have stopped charging the said fees. |
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|
NTB-000-806 |
8.7. Costly Road user charges /fees |
2015-04-01 |
Tanzania: Ministry of Transport |
|
Resolved
2018-02-09 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Tanzania requirement that trucks passing three weigh bridges are required to buy stickers at US$40 per sticker despite the fact that trucks are clearly marked transit in the central corridor. |
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|
Resolution status note:
|
Today, 10:10
During the Extra Ordinary SCTIFI taht sat in February, 2018, the USD 40 sticker fee was waived with immediate Effect. Hence the NTB was resolved. |
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|
NTB-000-810 |
8.7. Costly Road user charges /fees |
2017-10-02 |
Tanzania: Tunduma |
Rwanda |
Resolved
2018-10-31 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Escorted trucks carrying Zambia brown sugar and white maize in transit to Rwanda are forced to pay to Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA) Tunduma border station a sum of Tsh 960,000 to accompany trucks. |
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Resolution status note:
|
The Committee on Customs during its meeting in May noted that Mtera route is the shortest to transit to Rwanda and the route was not yet gazetted. It was recommended to geo-map all the transit routes and gazette the Mtera route.
The Mtera route was gazetted vide Legal Notice No. 48 of 10th May, 2018. The Regional Forum on NTBs at its meeting in October, 2018 was informed that Trucks to Kigali are no longer required to have escorts.
The NTB was resolved. |
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|
NTB-001-101 |
8.7. Costly Road user charges /fees |
2022-11-21 |
|
Uganda |
Resolved
2023-05-17 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
SOUTH SUDAN IS IMPOSING COSTLY ROAD USER CHARGES/FEES. The government of South Sudan through the National Revenue Authority imposes high charges on Ugandan transporters for road use. In 2022, Exporters from Uganda to South Sudan were paying Six Thousand Pounds (6,000) but received receipts reading Five thousand pounds( 5000). This fee isn't in the law and is very costly.It is also impossible to explain to the truck/cargo owners the difference in money paid and money receipted
Currently 2023, Exporters from Uganda to South Sudan are paying Twenty eight Thousand Pounds (28,000) but the receipts they get after payment indicate Twenty One Thousand Pounds (21,000).
This is very unfair and increases the cost of doing business.
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|
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Resolution status note:
|
The 34th RMC was informed that the road user charges for Uganda traders are 21,000 SSP. The 7,000 SSP extra payment is an administrative charge payable to the Ministry of Interior Traffic Directorate. The fee is charged on all transporters, not only Ugandan transporters.
The meeting was informed that Road user charges in RSS in 2022 was 5,000 SSP. In 2023 RSS is charging transporters RUC amounting 21,000 SSP.
The meeting agreed that RSS should stop charging the extra 7,000 SSP on top of the road user charges which are not issued a receipt. |
|
|
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. |
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|
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-000-161 |
7.4. Costly procedures |
2009-07-27 |
Tanzania: Ministry of Trade |
Tanzania |
Resolved
2016-06-15 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
A number of non-tariff fees are levied on agricultural and manufactured products. Examples are: inspection fees, Warehousing fees; Air Cargo levy; Agricultural Cess, Livestock Marketing Cess, landing and parking fees, seaman's levy and farm support fees. |
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|
Resolution status note:
|
The SADC Sub Committee on Trade facilitation carried out a review of long standing NTBs and found out that the various fees identified above, i.e. inspection fees, warehousing fees; air cargo levy; agricultural cess, livestock marketing cess, landing and parking fees, seaman's levy and farm support fees were acceptable as long as they are for the services rendered and are also provided for in the national legislations.
This is finding therefore resolves the NTB |
|
|
NTB-000-391 |
7.4. Costly procedures |
2011-02-14 |
Mozambique: Ministry of Finance |
Mozambique |
Resolved
2011-09-29 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Withholding tax of 20% is charged on any payment made to a company not registered in Mozambique. Export of fresh produce to Europe by airfreight, or to South Africa by refrigerated road haulage cannot be carried out by any company registered in Mozambique. Therefore payment to service providers such as international airlines and road hauliers engaging in export of perishable goods to Europe or South Africa is subject to payment of 20% withholding tax. International airlines and road hauliers do not accept the deduction of this tax meaning the exporting company based in Mozambique must assume this as a cost, thus increasing the cost of export products, and reducing the margin made on exporting these products |
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|
Resolution status note:
|
At the consultative meeting held between SADC Secretariat and Mozambique NTBs focal Points in Maputo on 19 September 2011, Mozambique reported that all compaines doing commercial business in the territory must be registered in that country. Foreign haulage companies wishing to participate in local business must therefore conform with legal requirements. |
|
|
Products:
|
0708.10: Fresh or chilled peas "Pisum sativum", shelled or unshelled |
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|
NTB-000-402 |
7.4. Costly procedures
Policy/Regulatory |
2011-03-01 |
Mozambique: Ministry of Finance |
Mozambique |
Resolved
2011-09-19 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Withholding tax is charged on payment to any company not registered in Mozambique. Any truck from a neighbouring country delivering goods to Beira is required to pay this tax on any backload which it may return with to its home destination. In practice this leads to the belief that no foreign truck can collect goods from Beira Port |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
Mozambique reported that for all foreign operatorso undertake commerciaal transit operations, in that country, they must be conform to requirements as per article 25 of the ministerial decree 10/2002 of January 30th. |
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|
Products:
|
2523.29: Portland cement (excl. white, whether or not artificially coloured) |
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|
NTB-000-477 |
7.4. Costly procedures
Policy/Regulatory |
2011-12-02 |
South Africa: Kopfontein |
Botswana |
Resolved
2012-08-28 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
With effect from the 1st of January 2012 SARS will no longer be accepting bank guaranteed cheques as a mode of payment for the 14% VAT on imports into South Africa. A note from SARS reports that the reason for this major is due to modernization that SARS customs is currently under going and has impact on various areas of business including revenue division whereby every process will be automated.
With SARS having stopped allowing foreign clients to participate in the deferment in 2007 and with SARS having on its cards at some point in 2012 they will discontinue those foreign clients who registered fro a deferment account prior 2007. This means foreign companies importing into South Africa will effectively have to pay cash or make use of a South African clearing agent with a deferred account at the boarders. Other alternatives given would be 1. Establish a company in SA which will be invoiced for all products sent to SA and would be liable for the 14% VAT and then on - sell to our current customers. 2. Approach SARS clearing agent, who would then pay the VAT and charge for it as well as clearing our products, note that current monthly VAT payments can go up to a million rands. 3. Approach our SA customers to open VAT deferred accounts with SARS which as proven difficult. further more SARS no longer accepts export documents that are filled in by individual companies, the requirement is that companies use the services of the SA clearing agents, of which a charge of 150 per document in rands is required. An average truck carrying various products for various clients could easily run into thousands of rands per truck load. It is increasingly becoming difficult to export into South Africa. |
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|
Resolution status note:
|
In their letter dated 28 August 2012 to Focal Point South Africa, Sout Africa Revenue Services reported that the NTB had been resolved bilaterally. |
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NTB-000-723 |
7.4. Costly procedures |
2016-09-06 |
Zambia: All ports of entry |
South Africa |
Resolved
2018-01-25 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Drivers are experiencing long delays in processing of the maize export permits in Zambia. It takes more than 90 days for permits to be processed by the authorities causing drivers to exceed their 90 day limit in Zambia.Once drivers reach this limit, they are required to buy work permits at a very high cost of $225. This impacts heavily on already small margins. |
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|
Resolution status note:
|
Zambia reported that the Ministry of Agriculture through the Department of Agribusiness and Marketing is responsible for facilitating trade through the issuance of Control of Goods Import and Export Permits for Agriculture Commodities. The process of issuance of permits starts and is completed within a period of 24 hours. Maize Grain is an agricultural commodity whose export is subject to the Control of Goods Act. Export Permits, Control of Goods, for maize are processed within 24 hours. Delays previously reported were an isolated incident that may have been caused by externalities at play then. The current status is that Export Permits, Control of Goods, for maize are processed within 24 hours. We propose that this be considered resolved. |
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NTB-000-737 |
7.4. Costly procedures |
2017-03-01 |
|
South Africa |
Resolved
2019-08-21 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
KBP company who constructed the new border between Zambia and DRC , about 6 years or so ago pegged crossing fees at $100/truck for the Zambia side and $100 for DRC side. The same charge is levied for the return journey therefore transporters pay total crossing fees of $400/truck for a round trip .Further , parking fees of $25/truck/day are enforced for units that stay over 24 hours in the parking bay. These fees were justified at the beginning as these were to modernize the border. However, the transport rates have tumbled by as much as 40 % and we all now have to look at cutting costs.
Taking into account the number of vehicle crossings daily, the US$ 400 crossing fees per round trip has now become a barrier to trade and is having an impact on growth in trade in the region. |
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|
Resolution status note:
|
During the meeting of NTBs Focal Points held on 19- 21 August 2019, Zambia reported the charges are part of the contractual obligations which will expire in 2023. |
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NTB-000-767 |
7.4. Costly procedures |
2017-05-05 |
Tanzania: Tanzania Food and Drugs Authority |
Kenya |
Resolved
2019-04-30 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
TFDA delays issuance of registration certificate causing Kenyan companies to lose out on trade. The finalization of the accepted label can take between 3-12 months. This additionally increase the cost of doing business as a manufacturer would have to pay certification fees more than three times to have one label approved due to the deadlines imposed in terms of getting labels approved. Kenya products have been stranded at the borders or manufacturers warehouse because they have not passed TFDA requirements. |
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Resolution status note:
|
Tanzania informed the Regional Monitoring Committee meeting on 3rd May 2019, that TFDA had reduced the certification period from 3- 12 months to 45 days as per international requirements. She observed that most delays were caused by late submission of required information by agents at the time of processing the registration and therefore urged Partner States to respond to queries logged on them on time , to avoid unnecessary delays. |
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|
NTB-000-770 |
7.4. Costly procedures |
2017-05-05 |
Tanzania: Namanga |
Kenya |
Resolved
2018-11-16 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Kenya is facing challenges with the delays in verification of perishable goods namely industrial gases and milk products. Industrial gases are exported in liquid state but they very quickly evaporate into gas if the export trucks are left out in the open sun for more than 48 hours. Also, milk is a sensitive product which if not preserved in conducive environment it will get spoiled therefore, should be treated as perishable products under special clearance. |
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|
Resolution status note:
|
During SCTIFI meeting held on 16 November 2018, Tanzania reported that since the commencement of the SCT, goods are not verified at the border and hence there are no more delays. NTB was therefore resolved |
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NTB-000-925 |
7.4. Costly procedures |
2019-06-03 |
Tanzania: Namanga & Arusha |
Kenya |
Resolved
2020-09-10 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
TRA cannot issue assessment for confectionery until Atomic Energy Certificate is attached in the system. This means samples have to be provided by agent / client to the Atomomic Energy in Arusha and a fee of 0.4% of invoice value paid. Samples from the whole country have to be sent to Arusha.
It then takes about 3-4 days for the certificate to be issued. The agent can then proceed with lodging the assessment after attaching the certificate in the system
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|
|
Resolution status note:
|
The SCTIFI held in September 2020, noted that this is an operational Issue and should be resolved from the EAC Time Bound Programme |
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NTB-000-959 |
7.4. Costly procedures |
2020-05-18 |
Mozambique: Delegação Aduaneira de Zobwe |
Malawi |
Resolved
2022-06-28 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Introduction of escort fees.
An escort fee at Zobue to escort Illovo Sugar (Malawi) trucks to Beira. It is US$ 200 per batch of 3 vehicles. If there is a single vehicle/truck that must get to the port the fee is still $ 200.
And there is also a scanning charge of US $ 20 per vehicle. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
This NTB has been reported as resolved, considering the update provided earlier, which included some documents in the attachment. |
|
|
NTB-000-059 |
7.3. Corruption |
2009-04-20 |
Kenya: Rwanda to Mombasa Highway |
Rwanda |
Resolved
2010-11-22 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Road blocks along the Northern Corridor for transporters carrying goods from Rwanda to Mombasa Port
The policemen at road blocks demand payments of 1000 Uganda Shillings and 50 Kenya shillings. Once you have made the payments they don't even bother to check on what you are carrying. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
Kenya reported that issue was resolved through COMESA customs and trade committee meeting |
|
|
NTB-000-389 |
7.3. Corruption |
2011-01-28 |
Kenya: Sirari Border Post |
Tanzania |
Resolved
2011-08-29 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Police officers at the Kirumu check point are harrassing Truckers bringing goods to Tanzania through Sirari border post. The harrassment is associated with attempts to solicit for bribes. Truck owners claimthat although they usually have all the customs receipts pertaining to the merchandise they are carrying, police officers have continued to hassle them for no apparent reasons. |
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|
Resolution status note:
|
At the NMC meeting held in Nairobi on 29 August 2011, Kenya reported a necessary disciplinary action had been taken to address this problem. |
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