| Complaint number |
NTB Type
|
Date of incident |
Location |
Reporting country or region (additional) |
Status |
Actions |
|
NTB-000-681 |
7.2. Discrimination
Policy/Regulatory |
2015-10-12 |
Uganda: Malaba |
|
Resolved
2016-06-30 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Uganda discriminatively imposed a 10 percent duty on Kenya manufactured Laundry bar soaps. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
At he 21st EAC NTBs Forum, Uganda reported that the 10% charged is Excise duty on cosmetics and soaps.
The NTB was resolved upon receipt of the statutory instrument from Uganda. |
|
|
NTB-000-906 |
2.13. Issues related to Pre-Shipment Inspections |
2019-04-05 |
Uganda: Uganda Weight and Measures Authority |
Tanzania |
Resolved
2025-05-30 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Uganda does not recognize the Calibration Certificate issued by the Weight and Measures Agent (WMA) for oil tank from URT: Republic of Uganda does not accept the Calibration Certificate of tanks from URT. As a result, our traders are forced to undergo recalibration by Ugandan counterpart Authority (Uganda Bureau of Standards) at a charge odd USD 230. This increases the cost of doing business. The trader paid Uganda shillings 2,655,600. It was stated that the certificate from URT is valid for the period of one year. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
The 27th EASC meeting of April 2025 recommended:
(a) approved the Draft EAC Harmonized Procedures for calibration and verification of road and rail tankers;
(b) Urge Partner States to adopt and implement EAC Harmonized Procedures for calibration and verification of road and rail tankers as per the implementation roadmap
The 38th RMC was informed that the NTB was resolved |
|
|
NTB-000-841 |
2.3. Issues related to the rules of origin |
2018-09-06 |
Uganda: Malaba |
EAC |
Resolved
2018-11-16 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Uganda does not recognize the calibration certificate issued by Weight and Measures Agency (WMA) for oil tanks from URT |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
Tanzania reported during the 25th EAC Regional Forum on NTBs that it was Resolved |
|
|
NTB-001-208 |
5.15. Other |
2024-05-01 |
Uganda: Fish protection unit |
Kenya |
Resolved
2025-05-30 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Uganda is intercepting fish export from Kenya which is in transit to DRC on grounds that Kenya is transferring immature fish that is not accepted in Uganda.
The fish protection unit in Uganda opens the goods on transit in the sealed containers which is against the provisions of goods in transit. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
The meeting also noted that Uganda had signed an MoU with Kenya on the movement of fish
The 38th RMC was informed that the NTB was resolved |
|
|
NTB-000-706 |
8.1. Government Policy and regulations
Policy/Regulatory |
2016-05-18 |
Uganda: Uganda Police |
Burundi |
Resolved
2016-12-07 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Uganda recognizes the COMESA yellow card insurance but it is not honoured once there is an accident. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
The 22nd meeting of the EAC NTBs Forum held in December 2016 , accepted Uganda report that she recognizes COMESA Yellow Card insurance. However the policy requires that all trucks involved in criminal accidents should be held to allow investigation. |
|
|
NTB-000-947 |
3. Technical barriers to trade (TBT)
B33: Packaging requirements |
2018-03-01 |
Uganda: Uganda Bureau of Standards |
Kenya |
Resolved
2024-11-23 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Uganda rejection of tissue paper manufactured in Kenya by Africa Cotton Industries. Uganda does not allow group packaging of tissue paper as provided for under the EAC harmonised standard.
Uganda have not implemented the EAC harmonized standards therefore the products must conform to Uganda National standard. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
The 7th East African Standards Committee Technical Management Board (TMB) met on 3rd September 2024 resolved the NTB. The TMB meeting decided that toilet paper should be individually wrapped; and the Group-wrapped (individually unwrapped) toilet paper is permitted to a maximum of 10 pieces and should be clearly labeled NOT TO BE SOLD INDIVIDUALLY. The 7th TMB meeting directed the Standards Management Committee (SMC) to adopt the decision of the TMB in the review of EAS 355: 2017 and present the standards for approval in the next East African Standards Committee (EASC) meeting.
The meeting noted that there is already an applicable standard of 2017 and should remain applicable to facilitate market access provided the product meets the set requirements. |
|
|
NTB-001-044 |
1.15. Other |
2021-12-03 |
Uganda: Malaba |
Kenya |
Resolved
2022-06-14 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Uganda Revenue Authority has introduced a mandatory requirement for import certificate for export and transit cargo to DRC and South Sudan.
This requirement is causing delays to transit cargo to Congo and Sudan and comes with an extra cost to the customers since they have to pay customs agents to secure the certificates on their behalf. This negatively affects export business. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
On 14 June 2022, the EAC Secretariat reported that this requirement is causing delays to transit cargo to Congo and South Sudan and comes with an extra cost to the customers since they have to pay customs agents to secure the certificates on their behalf.
The SCTIFI meeting was informed that this was upon the request of RSS and DRC and was later recalled. Hence the NTB is resolved. |
|
|
NTB-001-115 |
1.1. Export subsidies |
2023-02-01 |
|
Kenya |
Resolved
2023-07-03 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Uganda subjecting full CET to export/transfered from Kenya Kenknit to Uganda. We urge Uganda to grant preferential treatment to Kenknit products that conform to origin. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
On 3rd July 2023, the EAC NTB Unit reported the trader confirmed through the EAC Secretariat that the issue had been resolved |
|
|
NTB-001-018 |
3. Technical barriers to trade (TBT)
B84: Inspection requirement
Policy/Regulatory |
2021-05-12 |
Uganda: Malaba |
Kenya |
Resolved
2021-07-06 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Uganda subjecting to Kenya perfumed petroleum jelly certified with Kenya SMark and manufactured using the EAC harmonized standards to Destination Inspection (DI) and it's costly charges. This violates the EAC SQMT Act 2006 mutual recognition principal and makes the cost of Kenya products to increase. This has been done despite KEBS writing a letter to UNBS, they proceeded with subjecting Kenya petrolium jelly products to DI and delays for over two weeks. These act by Uganda has negatively affected Kenya export of the products as DI fees and it's process including the delays is extremely high and increases the cost of the products. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
The issue was discussed between the CEO of KEBs and UNBSs and resolved.
It was an operational issue arising from the use of the wrong standard. |
|
|
NTB-001-202 |
8.8. Issues related to transit |
2024-09-16 |
Uganda: Elegu |
Tanzania |
Resolved
2025-05-30 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Uganda through the Fisheries Protection Unit intercepted fish from South Sudan at Pakwach Check Point and Elegu One Stop Border Post, breaking seals and inspecting fish which is in transit to DRC, on the grounds that RSS is transferring immature fish that are not accepted in Uganda. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
The 38th RMC was informed that the NTB was resolved |
|
|
NTB-001-205 |
2.3. Issues related to the rules of origin |
2024-07-01 |
Uganda: Busia |
Kenya |
Resolved
2025-04-29 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Uganda's denial of market access of biscuit and wafers manufactured and transferred into Uganda by Sunveat Industries of Kenya. Reason being that wheat flour materials supplied by Kenblest LTD benefited from imported wheat under Duty Remission Scheme (DRS) |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
Uganda advised that the NTB was resolved and attached the evidence of the movement of good |
|
|
NTB-000-848 |
1.8. Import bans |
2018-08-09 |
Uganda: Ministry |
Kenya |
Resolved
2018-11-16 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Uganda’s limitation on importation of processed meat products from within the region. It also addressed it as a measure to promote local capacity in Uganda to produce such processed meats rather than importing meat and meat products from the Partner States. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
Uganda informed the meeting that the letter was meant for internal traders who were sourcing for processed meat from outside the EAC and was not meant for traders within the EAC Partner States.
So the Meeting agreed that this NTB is resolved. |
|
|
NTB-000-934 |
2.13. Issues related to Pre-Shipment Inspections |
2019-05-30 |
Kenya: Ministry of Industry, Trade & Cooperatives |
Mauritius |
Resolved
2020-07-10 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Under the PVoC (Pre-Shipment Verification of Conformity) program, all regulated products to be imported in Kenya have to undergo verification and testing in the country of supply and a Certificate of Conformity (CoC) has to be issued to demonstrate that they meet the requirements of the applicable national standards or approved equivalents and technical regulations. The CoC is mandatory for customs clearance.
However, all consignments subject to PVoC must obtain the CoC prior to shipment. This is where it becomes a barrier.
As a result of this measure, Mauritian exporters of HS 22071090 have to bear additional time and cost in shipping the products to Kenya.
We are therefore requesting the relevant Kenyan authority to amend its measure so that the Certificate of Conformity be requested upon the arrival of consignment instead of prior to shipment. The procedures to obtain the CoC and the shipment of the products can be done in parallel. By the time the products reach Kenya, the COC will be ready to be submitted at the port of entry. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
Kenya appreciate Mauritius concerns on NTB No. 934 regarding pre-shipment verification. We therefore confirm that this NTB has been resolved as evidenced by legal notice no. 78 dated 28th April 2020, where clause 9(1) allows for destination inspection. Subsequently, Kenya notified the same to the WTO under notification number G/TBT/N/KEN/1002. |
|
|
NTB-000-701 |
6.5. Variable levies
Policy/Regulatory |
2015-07-15 |
Tanzania: Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment |
Kenya |
Resolved
2017-10-24 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
United Republic of Tanzania has introduced a railway development levy of 1.5 per cent for imports from Kenya.
Reported in 2015. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
The EAC NTBs Focal Point reported that the NTB had been resolved by the meeting of the Dedicate Session of Senior Officials held in Kampala from 21st - 24th October 2017 |
|
|
NTB-000-649 |
8.7. Costly Road user charges /fees
Policy/Regulatory |
2014-12-11 |
Tanzania: Ministry of Transport |
Burundi |
Resolved
2015-11-30 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
United Republic of Tanzania is charging USD200.00 as transit permit for containers with chemical products. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
Following the recommendations of the 16th EAC Forum on NTBs, Tanzania removed the transit charges . |
|
|
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 |
|
Complaint:
|
Unreasonable SPS requirements with no scientific basis or excessively averse to risk |
|
|
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 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. |
|
|
NTB-000-361 |
7.9. Inadequate trade related infrastructure |
2010-02-10 |
Kenya: Ministry of Transport |
Tanzania |
Resolved
2016-06-29 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
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. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
The EAC secretariat reported that the EAC Axle load act was enacted by EALA in May, 2014 |
|
|
NTB-001-136 |
2.6. Additional taxes and other charges |
2023-10-03 |
Tanzania: TRA |
Kenya |
Resolved
2024-07-04 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
URT Denial of preferential Market Access for Kibo Motorcycle transferred from Kenya into URT. URT is instead demanding for full CET instead of granting the preferential treatment as the motorcycle has been accompanied with the certificates of Origin. We urge URT to grant preferential treatment to Kenya manufactured motor cycles. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
There was a mistake in the Certificate of Origin. Kenya needs to rectify it and Tanzania grants preferential treatment. This is not an NTB and hence should be removed from TBP. The NTBs are resolved |
|
|
NTB-001-124 |
2.3. Issues related to the rules of origin |
2023-05-01 |
Tanzania: Namanga |
Kenya |
Resolved
2024-11-23 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
URT denial of preferential Treatment to Motorcycle Accessories exported to TZ by Silverline Accessories LTD in Kenya. URT is charging full CET despite the exported spares having the EAC Certificate of origin confirming that the spares have been manufactured in Kenya and qualify for the EAC preferential treatment. In addition, URT have declined to respond to interventions by the Kenya Revenue Authority and the EAC Secretariat.
We request URT to grant preferential treatment to Motorcycle Accessories exported by Silverline LTD in Kenya and incase URT have any doubts on the origin they should facilitate delivery of the goods and follow the ROO/protocal/EACCMA procedures to verify & ascertain their concerns. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
The 45th SCTIFI meeting noted that a verification was undertaken whereby the headlamps, tail lamps, and indicators qualified for preferential treatment and are being granted preferential treatment in the United Republic of Tanzania as directed by the 44th SCTIFI. The side mirrors however that had not qualified in the first verification also qualified for preferential tariff treatment under Rule 4(1) (b) of the EAC Rules of Origin, 2015, since they met both criteria i.e. material content and Change in Tariff Heading (CTH) after a second verification. |
|
|
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. |
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