| Complaint number |
NTB Type
|
Date of incident |
Location |
Reporting country or region (additional) |
Status |
Actions |
|
NTB-000-006 |
2.12. Lack of capacity of Customs officers |
2004-05-29 |
Egypt: Egypt Revenue Authority |
Uganda |
Resolved
2010-11-22 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Authorisation fees for endorsement of COMESA Certificate of
Origin
Uganda has complained that Egypt authorities require that Certificates of Origin be endorsed by the Egyptian Embassy in Kampala before dispatch of the goods. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
Egypt reported that she does not require consular or Embassy export documentation. A ministerial Decree issued by the Government of Egypt was circulated to all COMESA Member States on March 22 2007. |
|
|
NTB-000-426 |
1.8. Import bans |
2011-07-01 |
Zimbabwe: Kariba |
Zimbabwe |
Resolved
2012-04-26 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Ban on all Potatoes as Directed by the Ministry of Agriculture |
|
|
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, Zimbabwe reported that banning of potatoes was done to protect plants from pests originating across the borders. This is therefore a NTM. |
|
|
NTB-000-529 |
1.8. Import bans |
2012-08-08 |
Burundi: National Police |
Rwanda |
Resolved
2013-10-16 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Ban on import of fresh fruits from Burundi to Rwanda |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
On 16 October 2013, Burundi Focal Point reported that, at the 12th EAC Regional Forum on NTBs held on 14th– 17th October, 2013 in Arusha, Tanzania, Rwanda reported that Burundi had lifted the ban. Therefore the NTB was resolved |
|
|
NTB-000-813 |
4. Sanitary & phyto-sanitary (SPS) measures
A1: Prohibitions/restrictions of imports for SPS reasons
Policy/Regulatory |
2017-11-17 |
Uganda: Ministry responsible for Agriculture |
Kenya |
Resolved
2018-05-12 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Ban on importation of poultry and poultry products. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
During the 25th EAC Regional Forum on NTBs held from 9- 12 May 2018, Kenya and Rwanda reported that the ban on entry of poultry products from Uganda based on the ban from the Veternary and Health Regulatory Authorities had been lifted . |
|
|
NTB-000-033 |
5.10. Prohibitions |
2008-12-22 |
Uganda: Ministry of Rourism, Trade and Industry |
Kenya |
Resolved
2019-04-26 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Ban on Imports
Kenya has complained that Uganda had placed a ban on beef imports |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
Uganda reported that the issue is not for Kenya but all other Partner States. And it is only on frozen beef she resolved the issue. |
|
|
Products:
|
0202.30: Frozen, boneless meat of bovine animals |
|
|
NTB-000-178 |
1.8. Import bans |
2009-07-27 |
Malawi: Ministry of Trade |
Zimbabwe |
Resolved
2010-11-22 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Ban on imports of fresh meat products from Zimbabwe |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
Malawi reported that there is no ban on meat imports but licensing measures were introduced when there was an outbreak of foot and mouth and bird flu diseases |
|
|
NTB-000-177 |
1.1. Export subsidies
A11: Prohibitions for sanitary and phytosanitary reasons |
2009-07-27 |
Malawi: Ministry of Trade |
South Africa |
Resolved
2010-11-22 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Ban on imports of fresh meat products from South Africa and Zimbabwe |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
Malawi reported that there is no ban on meat imports but licensing measures were introduced when there was an outbreak of foot and mouth and bird flu diseases |
|
|
NTB-000-414 |
1.1. Export subsidies
B33: Packaging requirements |
2011-03-01 |
Zimbabwe: Chirundu |
Zimbabwe |
Resolved
2011-05-10 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Ban on plastics of thickness less than 30 micro meters |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
The ban is being effected under Statutory Instrument 98 of 2010 - Environmental Management (Plastic Packaging and Plastic Bottles) Regulations , 2010 issued by the Minister of Environment and Natural Resources Management in terms of section 140 of the Environment Management Act ( Chapter 20:27) to protect the environment |
|
|
Products:
|
3923.29: Sacks and bags, incl. cones, of plastics (excl. those of polymers of ethylene) |
|
|
NTB-000-520 |
6.5. Variable levies
Policy/Regulatory |
2012-06-20 |
Tanzania: Tanzania Revenue Authority |
Kenya |
Resolved
2018-11-16 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Beef and Pork from Kenya Farmers Choice are being charged 25% by Tanzania because the company is in the duty remission scheme despite the products not benefiting from the duty remission scheme. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
During SCTIFI meeting held on 16 November2018, Kenya reported that the NTB was resolved |
|
|
NTB-000-180 |
7.9. Inadequate trade related infrastructure
Policy/Regulatory |
2009-07-27 |
Mozambique: Beira Port |
Malawi |
Resolved
2011-07-28 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Beira & Nacala are the main ports for imports/export goods, which are currently overworked. Lack of institutional support. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
Mozambique reported that this is not a barrier because Mozambique has three big ports fully operational. The Maputo port being the main one. In March the Single Window Project will become operational at the Maputo Port, to help reduce the time required for customs clearance |
|
|
NTB-000-372 |
7.1. Arbitrariness
Policy/Regulatory |
2010-02-10 |
Mozambique: Beira Port |
Zambia |
Resolved
2011-08-23 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Beira port authority arbitrarily assign security escort for randomly selected containers and charge US$150 without the knowledge of the importer. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
During the 8th meeting of the SADC Sub Committee on Trade Facilitation ,Mozambique reported that the US$150 is a scanning charge gazette and information available to port users. Security is not assigned arbitrarily. |
|
|
NTB-000-372 |
7.1. Arbitrariness
Policy/Regulatory |
2010-02-10 |
Mozambique: Beira Port |
Zambia |
Resolved
2011-08-23 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Beira port authority arbitrarily assign security escort for randomly selected containers and charge US$150 without the knowledge of the importer. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
Mozambique advised that consultations with the CORNELDER - the Company responsible for the Beira Port had been completed and that the issue had been resolved |
|
|
NTB-000-355 |
8.7. Costly Road user charges /fees |
2010-02-10 |
SADC |
Namibia |
Resolved
2012-06-15 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Bond registration fees are excessively high in all SADC countries. Especially when cargo transits in two countries the bond registration fees become a constraint. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
The 10th meeting of SADC Committee on Trade facilitation held on 14-15 June 2012 noted that the issue of bonds is normally managed by private sector, mostly banks therefore commercial rates would prevail. It was also noted that
within the SADC Customs work programme, there is work to facilitate single transit bond, the result of which should be
ready by March 2013. This NTB was therefore considered resolved on grounds that bond registration fees are cahrged at market rates. |
|
|
NTB-000-298 |
8.7. Costly Road user charges /fees |
2009-09-08 |
SADC |
Namibia |
Resolved
2012-06-15 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Bond registration fees are generally high in all SADC countries |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
The 10th meeting of SADC Committee on Trade facilitation held on 14-15 June 2012 noted that the issue of bonds is normally managed by private sector, mostly banks therefore commercial rates would prevail. It was also noted that
within the SADC Customs work programme, there is work to facilitate single transit bond, the result of which should be
ready by March 2013. This NTB was therefore considered resolved on grounds that bond registration fees are cahrged at market rates. |
|
|
NTB-000-230 |
2.8. Lengthy and costly customs clearance procedures |
2009-07-28 |
Namibia: Namibia Revenue Authority |
Namibia |
Resolved
2011-03-09 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Border delays due to documentation and customs procedures. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
Namibia reported that the Ministry of Finance have so far appointed 61 entry level staff and interviews are still ongoing senior positions up to April 2011
|
|
|
NTB-000-230 |
2.8. Lengthy and costly customs clearance procedures |
2009-07-28 |
Namibia: Namibia Revenue Authority |
Namibia |
Resolved
2011-03-09 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Border delays due to documentation and customs procedures. |
|
|
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-000-698 |
2.14. Other
Policy/Regulatory |
2014-07-23 |
|
|
Resolved
2017-05-06 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Border management institutions’ working hours are not harmonized. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
At the 23rd EAC NTBs Forum held from 4- 6 May 2017, Partner States reported that the border operating hours had been harmonised |
|
|
NTB-000-727 |
4. Sanitary & phyto-sanitary (SPS) measures
A53: Fumigation |
2016-12-01 |
Botswana: Kazungula Ferry |
Zambia |
Resolved
2017-05-18 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Botswana border officials demand fumigation certificate for molasses. To my knowledge, foodstuffs like molasses cannot be fumigated and on the Botswana import permits (plant protection), this is not among the requirements. This leads to delays, additional costs (e.g demurrage), possible loss of business and risk of product going bad. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
During the the 15th meeting of the SADC Sub Committee on Trade Facilitation held on 17- 18 May 2017, Botswana reported that Sanitary import permit is required only for molasses meal. No Sanitary or Phytosanitary import permit is required for liquid molasses and molasses powder and therefore no fumigation certificate is needed for molasses. According to the conditions set as per the Sanitary import permit, imported molasses has to be free of protein of animal origin and not contain any prohibited substances such as growth hormones. Officials from Botswana and Zambia have had a bilateral meeting and the issue has been addressed. |
|
|
NTB-000-460 |
6.1. Prior import deposits and subsidies
Policy/Regulatory |
2011-06-06 |
Botswana: BURS |
Botswana |
Resolved
2013-05-23 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Botswana BURS requires a deposit to be lodged with them prior to allowing any goods, being imported into Botswana, to cross the border. They will not accept a small deposit - enough to cover the VAT charges on the goods in question - they require a standard amount of P25 000. The only way to avoid paying this deposit is to meet the goods at the border and pay the amount which has been determined as owing that very day. It can be very difficult to meet trucks coming from Johannesburg at the border, particularly if you don't stay in Gaborone where most of the trucks cross. This results in many additional costs being incurred by the importer and can result in goods being returned to South Africa at the importers expense. For small consignments, where the VAT owed is only a few hundred Pula, more money can be spent on trying to get to Gaborone, at the right time (which often changes) in order to meet the truck and make the VAT payment, than the VAT amount itself. Perishable food products, if they need to be returned, are often lost completely resulting in major losses. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
At the 11th meeting of the SADC Sub -Committee on Trade Facilitation held on 23 May 2013 in Gaborone, Botswana Unified Revenue Services (BURS) confirmed the following 3 available alternatives which enabled traders to pay for VAT/Duties without being at the point of entry so as to grant entry of goods:
i) Apply for gross payment account; through this account, the applicant is able to deposit funds into the account in which payable VAT/duties will be debited upon any importation of goods
ii) Apply for deferred account; this account enables importers to import goods and pay the accrued VAT/duties at the end of the each month (as explained on the NTB status notes initially afforded to you).
iii) Cash payment can be made at any BURS office countrywide after which that particular office will immediately liaise with the office at the point of entry of the imported |
|
|
Products:
|
2008.11: Groundnuts, prepared or preserved (excl. preserved with sugar) |
|
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