| Complaint number |
NTB Type
|
Date of incident |
Location |
Reporting country or region (additional) |
Status |
Actions |
|
NTB-000-158 |
1.1. Export subsidies
A82: Testing requirement |
2009-07-27 |
Tanzania: Ministry of Agriculture |
Tanzania |
Resolved
2016-05-18 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Cumbersome procedures for , SPS certificates and the permits.The Ministry utilitises its own laboratories in Dar es Salaam with support from Tropical Pesticide Research Institute in Arusha which takes even more time. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
The procedures are being streamlined |
|
|
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-000-135 |
2.7. International taxes and charges levied on imports and other tariff measures
Policy/Regulatory |
2009-07-27 |
Botswana: Ministry of Agriculture |
South Africa |
Resolved
2012-05-03 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Botswana imposes ad- hoc import levies on fresh produce |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
Botswana reported that the levies are no longer obtaining |
|
|
NTB-000-135 |
2.7. International taxes and charges levied on imports and other tariff measures
Policy/Regulatory |
2009-07-27 |
Botswana: Ministry of Agriculture |
South Africa |
Resolved
2012-05-03 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Botswana imposes ad- hoc import levies on fresh produce |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
Botswana indicated that she did not charge levies but closed borders whenever local produce was enough to supply local demand. The Ministry of Agriculture has advised that the dates for border closure and opening are set by a committee composed of traders and producers. The Ministry notes that sufficient time is allowed for traders to notify their external suppliers on time. While the study on Agricultural NTBs recommended gradual elimination of some NTBs, it recommended that others could only be eliminated after provision of adequate alternative support systems. This NTB is of regulatory nature and therefore it is resolved that the NTB be transferred to section of 'Resolved NTBs of policy and regulatory nature' for further consideration |
|
|
NTB-000-215 |
2.4. Import licensing |
2009-07-27 |
Zimbabwe: Ministry of Trade |
Zimbabwe |
Resolved
2010-07-30 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Cooking oil can only be exported after obtaining a license from the Ministry of Industry and International trade |
|
|
NTB-000-162 |
8.7. Costly Road user charges /fees |
2009-07-27 |
Tanzania: Ministry of Transport |
Tanzania |
Resolved
2011-07-28 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Registration and accreditation of transporters is too high, (Charge is USD 10,000 per company so that only capable and serious transporters are registered) |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
Tanzania Revenue Authority reported that TRA is responsible for issuing the transporter license and that the fees is only Ks 20 000. |
|
|
NTB-000-156 |
7.9. Inadequate trade related infrastructure |
2009-07-27 |
Tanzania: Along major highways |
Tanzania |
Resolved
2012-06-15 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Weighing equipment in some stations is sometimes faulty, meaning that even when a truck has a proper seal, weight readings at different stations vary. Also, there are numerous stations along the major highways, which do not respect seals even when it is clear that such seals have not been tempered with. The most notorious stations are along Moshi and Kibaha on Nairobi-Dar-es-salaam highway. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
The 10th meeting of SADC Committee on Trade Facilitation accepted Tanzania's explaination that problem arose due to packaging and loading of containers at the port. If containers are not properly packed, goods move while on transit and affect weigh on an axle. Distribution of weight on an axle may be correct at point of departure, but after some distance, it may change as cargo moves. Since weighing is on axles not cargo, different numbers may be recorded at
a weigh bridge. It was reported that sensitization was already being undertaken to alert traders to reduce the possibility of movement of goods inside containers while in transit by packing properly. The meeting therefore agreed to consider the NTB resolved. |
|
|
NTB-000-144 |
1.8. Import bans |
2009-07-27 |
Zimbabwe: Ministry of Industry & Commerce |
South Africa |
Resolved
2011-03-04 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
An import ban has been put in place for poultry products |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
Zimbabwe reported that the ban has since been lifted on poultry and its products. |
|
|
NTB-000-211 |
2.4. Import licensing |
2009-07-27 |
Zimbabwe: Ministry of Agriculture |
Zimbabwe |
Resolved
2013-05-23 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Restrictions on agricultural goods. Some officials at the border posts are not fully aware of the implications and objectives of requiring permits for agriculture. Thus some consignments are allowed to be imported without import permits.Issuing of permits is centralized to Ministry of Agriculture Head Office, in Harare which is costly and inconvenient for those living out of Harare |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
At the 10th meeting of the SADC Sub Committee on Trade Facilitation held on 14-15 June 2012, Zimbabwe reported that it was working towards decentralization of issuance of permits. The process was already ongoing and some towns had already been given authority to issue permits.
At their 11th meeting held on 23 may 2013 in Gaborone, SADC Committee on Trade Facilitation noted that draft legislation has been developed and therefore this NTB could be marked resolved since it is receiving appropriate attention to improve the issuance of permits |
|
|
NTB-000-190 |
7.9. Inadequate trade related infrastructure
Policy/Regulatory |
2009-07-27 |
SADC |
Malawi |
Resolved
2011-01-10 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Inconsistency of road traffic laws, and their application in SADC. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
Botswana reported that ahe is in the process of harmonizing traffic laws with SADC traffic laws; however, there are some traffic laws that have been harmonized e.g. road signs etc. |
|
|
NTB-000-167 |
7.9. Inadequate trade related infrastructure |
2009-07-27 |
Malawi: Malawi Revenue Authority |
Malawi |
Resolved
2010-07-22 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Border delays including irregular border hours |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
Malawi reported that border operating hours are now harmonized and synchronized across borders in Malawi. Malawi now moving to 24hrs. |
|
|
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-000-148 |
2.8. Lengthy and costly customs clearance procedures
Policy/Regulatory |
2009-07-27 |
Zambia: Ministry of Trade |
Tanzania |
Resolved
2011-03-04 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Zambia licensing process just too long. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
Zambia reported that the process only takes 24hours |
|
|
NTB-000-143 |
5.1. Quantitative restrictions |
2009-07-27 |
Zimbabwe: Ministry of Industry and Commerce |
South Africa |
Resolved
2011-03-04 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Zimbabwe imposes import restrictions on flour |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
Zimbabwe reported that there are no more quotas on importation of flour .Anyone .i.e individuals or companies can import any quantity as long as all the requirements are met. |
|
|
NTB-000-195 |
2.10. Inadequate or unreasonable customs procedures and charges |
2009-07-27 |
Zimbabwe: Zimbabwe Revenue Authority |
Zimbabwe |
Resolved
2011-03-01 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Valuation of goods is done by senior Customs (ZIMRA) Officers who are not always available thus causing further delays. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
Zimbabwe reported that an office specifically dealing with valuation matters is now in place at Beitbridge and is headed by a senior officer. |
|
|
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-000-161 |
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. |
|
|
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-000-213 |
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-000-192 |
7.9. Inadequate trade related infrastructure
Policy/Regulatory |
2009-07-27 |
Mozambique: Beira Port |
Malawi |
Resolved
2011-09-23 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Inefficient loading and unloading facilities at Nacala and Beira ports in Mozambique resulting in time delays and occasionally additional warehousing costs. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
In consultations with the Beira Port Authorities, namely, Cornelder, on the 22nd of September 2011, at the Beira Port, Cornelder informed that indeed during the dredging process the Beira port faced a lot of delays but that aspect has been overcome now that the dredging process is over. |
|
|
NTB-000-174 |
1.1. Export subsidies
A82: Testing requirement |
2009-07-27 |
Malawi: Malawi Revenue Authority |
Malawi |
Resolved
2012-04-26 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Time taken to test products varies between five days for meat and poultry to ten days for batteries. The time factor and discretionary use of these services at the borders has lead to delays in the distribution. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
At the 3rd meeting the Tripartite NTBs Focal Points and NMC Chairs held in Dar -es-Salaam on 19-20 April 2012, Malawi reported that the delays could be attributed to the practice of some importers who do not obtain prior certification of products before importing. For importation of meat products, SPS certification has to be obtained from Ministry of Agriculture before importing to avoid delays at the border. The same applies to importation of batteries. Import permit must be obtained from ministry of Trade before importation. The meeting accepted Malawi’s submission to have this NTB resolved. |
|
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