| Complaint number |
NTB Type
|
Date of incident |
Location |
Reporting country or region (additional) |
Status |
Actions |
|
NTB-000-741 |
3. Technical barriers to trade (TBT)
B1: Import authorization/licensing related to technical barriers to trade |
2017-02-24 |
Angola: Port of Luanda |
South Africa |
Resolved
2018-06-07 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
New Agency (Bromangol) have been appointed in addition to the Ministry of Health and this has resulted in duplication of processes and tests and this is additional costs for exporter. It takes 43 days to clear goods before they can enter and about 9 imports documentation and process take place. Lack of training by officials. Currently there is a freeze on the issuance of new import licenses and there is no indication as to when will the freeze be lifted. There is no transparency regarding requirements, rules and regulations to comply with exporting. All this rules and regulations changes without notification and it is expected to comply with them immediately. These results in rates introduces which differ from one port to another. (Inconsistent application). There is lack of enforcement and date which increase the uncertainty.
It take 6 - 8 weeks just to obtain visa to Angola, it is not possible to obtain a multiple entry visa. For every business trip visa is a prerequisite. Intellectually property rights legislation is not implemented and it results in litigating which is costly to protect the trademark.The time frame for credit letters used to be 30 days now it is 210 days. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
On 7 June 2018, Angola Focal point reported that the laboratory analysis of food and / or perishable products entering Angola conducted by the company Bromangol is no longer mandatory. This activity is liberalized and has competition from any other private company interested in the sector, including the laboratories of the Ministry of Health and Agriculture. In addition, the Customs no longer require the presentation of sanitary inspection certificate issued by Bomangol as a requirement for the submission of the Customs Declaration since November 2017. |
|
|
NTB-000-075 |
2.10. Inadequate or unreasonable customs procedures and charges |
2009-07-23 |
SADC |
Botswana |
Resolved
2019-11-21 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
The SADC region has different border operating times and this inhibits intra regional trade |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
The SADC Secretariat submitted the following detailed progress report resolving the NTB.
The 29th Meeting of the Sub-Committee on Customs Cooperation (SCCC) held on 8-9 May 2019, in Gaborone, Botswana, recalled that that the 13th meeting of the Ministerial Task Force (MTF) on Regional Economic Integration held in July 2013 in Maputo, Mozambique, recognized that impediments to movement of goods across the SADC region should be urgently addressed. The MTF committed to take measures to address the following as “quick wins” to enhance border efficiencies and trade facilitation at selected borders:
a) Harmonization of operating hours at all adjacent borders with different operating hours such as Chirundu, Kasumbalesa, Kasumulo/Songwe border crossings in order to reduce congestion and enhance trade facilitation;
b) Review the hours of operation in order to cater for high traffic volumes and meet the requirements of trade at the following border posts:
(i) Chirundu (Zambia/Zimbabwe);
(ii) Kasumbalesa (DRC/Zambia);
(iii) Kasumulo/Songwe (Tanzania/Malawi);
(iv) Kazungula ( Botswana/Zambia/Zimbabwe);
(v) Machipanda/Forbes (Mozambique/Zimbabwe);
(vi) Calomue/Dedza (Mozambique/Malawi);
(vii) Nyamapanda/Cuchamano (Zimbabwe / Mozambique);
(viii) Tunduma/Nakonde (Zambia/Tanzania); and
(ix) Ramokgwebana/Plumtree (Botswana/Zimbabwe)
(x) Santa Clara/Oshikango (Angola/Namibia).
c) Agreed to be proactively involved in the implementation of the one-stop border post (OSBP) programme at the borders to support the following priorities as identified in the Regional Infrastructure Development Master Plan short-term plan:
(i) Kasumbalesa (DRC / Zambia);
(ii) Kazungula ( Botswana / Zambia /Zimbabwe);
(iii) Tunduma / Nakonde (Zambia/Tanzania);
(iv) Mwami / Mchinji (Zambia / Malawi);
(v) Chiponde/ Mandimba (Malawi/Mozambique); and
(vi) Trans- Kalahari / Mamuno (Namibia/ Botswana).
SCCC also noted that the matrix on Progress on Border Management was circulated in March 2019 to all Member States in order to provide an update on the implementation of the trade facilitation initiatives but the submission was received only from South Africa.
The meeting urged the Member States to provide an update on the implementation of the trade facilitation initiatives by latest 30th May 2019
The SCCC:
(i) noted the progress on the implementation of the trade facilitation through initiatives in border management;
(ii) urged the Member States to expedite the implementation of the agreed trade facilitation measure to enhance efficiencies and border crossing as directed by the Ministerial Task Force on Regional Economic Integration; and
(iii) requested the Member States to submit any further updates with respect of initiatives being undertaken at major border posts in terms of extension and harmonization of border operating hours, One-Stop Border Posts, and Coordinated Border Management
The Secretariat received the update on harmonization of operating hours at all adjacent borders with different operating hours in order to reduce congestion and enhance trade facilitation and compiled in the table below.
MAIN SADC BORDERS: HARMONIZATION OF OPERATING HOURS -2019
Border Post Countries Opening hours
1 Kasumbalesa RD Congo / Zambia Both sides operate from 06h00 to 18h00.
2 Luvu/Lufu Angola/ DRC Both sides operate from 06h00 to 18h00.
3 Kazungula Ferry Botswana / Zambia Both sides operate from 06h00 to 18h00.
4 Victoria Falls Zimbabwe/ Zambia The hours of operation are 06h00 to 22h00.
5 Beitbridge / Mesina South Africa/Zimbabwe The border operates 24hs
6 Nakonde / Tunduma Zambia / Tanzania The border operates 24hs
7 Kasumulu / Songwe Tanzania /Malawi Malawi operating from 06h00 to 18h00 and
Tanzania from 07h00 to 19h00 (time zone)
8 Mwami / Mchinji Malawi/ Zambia The borders operate 24 hours. However, for
Commercial, it is from 06h00 to 18h00
9 Chiponde / Mandimba Malawi/ Mozambique Both sides operate from 06h00 to 18h00
10 Zobue / Mwanza Mozambique/Malawi Both sides operate from 06h00 to 21h00
11 Machipanda / Forbes Mozambique/Zimbabwe Both sides operate from 06h00 to 20h00
12 Nyamapanda / Cuchamano Mozambique/Zimbabwe Both sides operate from 06h00 to 20h00.
13 Trans-Kalahari / Mamuno Namibia / Botswana Both sides operate from 07h00 to 24h00.
14 Kazungula Ferry Botswana /Zambia Both sides operate from 06h00 to 18h00.
15 Ramokgwebane / Plumtree Botswana/ Zimbabwe Both sides operate from 06h00 to 22h00.
16 Kopfontein / Tlokweng South Africa/ Botswana Both sides operate from 06h00 to 24h00
17 Beitbridge / Mesina South Africa/Zimbabwe The border operates 24hs
18 Lebombo / Ressano Garcia South Africa/ Mozambique Both sides operate from 06h00 to 24h00
19 Santa Clara / Oshikango Angola/ Namibia Both sides operate from 08h00 to 18h00
20 Jimbe / Jimbe Angola/ Zambia Both sides operate from 06h00 to 18h00.
21 Maseru Bridge Port of Entry Lesotho / South Africa The border operates 24hs
22 Lomahasha / Namaacha Mozambique/ Eswatini Both sides operate from 07h00 to 24h00
23 Goba Border Post / Mlhumeni Mozambique/ Eswatini The border operates 24hs
24 Golela Border / Lavumisa Mozambique/ Eswatini Both sides operate from 07h00 to 22h00
25 Border Posts / Mananga Mozambique/ Eswatini Both sides operate from 07h00 to 22h00
26 Oshoek Border / Ngwenya Eswatini/South Africa Both sides operate from 07h00 to 22h00 |
|
|
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-000-216 |
8.7. Costly Road user charges /fees |
2009-07-27 |
SADC |
Zimbabwe |
Resolved
2016-10-07 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Toll fees variation within the region hampers smooth transit of goods. Toll fees should be rationalised. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
FESARTA reported that the NTB does not exist at present. |
|
|
NTB-000-292 |
2.10. Inadequate or unreasonable customs procedures and charges
Policy/Regulatory |
2009-09-08 |
SADC |
Namibia |
Resolved
2011-11-10 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Empty space on trucks cannot be utilized due to the 'Third Country' rules. This law should be abolished within SADC |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
SADC Secretariat reported that, reducing costs of doing business in the region is one of the key objectives of the SADC Secretariat. However, some interventions of the Secretariat are bound by its regional economic integration process. SADC FTA enables goods originating in Member States applying the FTA to enter duty free and quota free under provisions in the SADC Protocol on Trade. For this economic activity, economic operators are not obliged to be registered as economic operators in the countries where goods are delivered if only they are delivering goods. A deeper regional economic integration would be needed in order to allow foreign economic operators to engage in business activities in Member States, benefit from local business opportunities but also meeting fiscal obligations arising from such operations. This is a level of economic integration closer to common market and which forms SADC long term vision. |
|
|
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-000-317 |
1.1. Export subsidies
A9: SPS measures n.e.s. |
2009-09-09 |
SADC |
Seychelles |
Resolved
2011-01-10 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
The absence of a unified standards system in SADC results in traders having to seek two certificates, one at home and one in the importing country |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
Botswana reported that there are no Regional Standards in SADC; however SADC is in the process of harmonising the regional standards. Botswana recognizes standards / certificates of other SADC Member States. |
|
|
NTB-000-324 |
7.9. Inadequate trade related infrastructure |
2009-09-09 |
|
Seychelles |
Resolved
2024-10-03 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Some businesses complained that SADC ports are unable to handle containers that exceed 6 metres (20 ft), which limits exporters in implementing the most cost-effective way of transporting their products |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
It has been agreed between the SADC Secretariat and Seychelles that the NTB-000-324 should be marked as resolved. If the challenge still exists, it may be reported again as a new complaint, and Seychelles shall address it accordingly. |
|
|
NTB-000-323 |
2.12. Lack of capacity of Customs officers
Policy/Regulatory |
2009-09-09 |
SADC |
Seychelles |
Resolved
2011-01-10 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Lack of training of new customs recruits |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
The Recs have embarked on capacity building for memberstates under the trade facilitation programme |
|
|
NTB-000-352 |
2.8. Lengthy and costly customs clearance procedures
Policy/Regulatory |
2010-02-10 |
SADC |
Namibia |
Resolved
2011-11-10 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
The cabotage law applied by SADC Member states contributes to high transport costs. The law does not allow an empty truck to carry back a load from a third country. For example, a South African truck dropping off a load in Namibia cannot pick up a load in Namibia destined for Botswana even though this truck is using trans Kalahari Highway linking the two countries |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
SADC secretariat responded that : the customs term cabotage as stated in Specific Annex E, Chapter 3 of the revised Kyoto Convention, is applied for imported goods that have not been declared under the condition that they must be transported in a vessel other than the importing vessel in which they arrived in the Customs territory are loaded on board a vessel at a place in the Customs territory and are transported to another place in the same Customs territory where they are then unloaded and cleared. The term can also be used for the same purposes for air transportation (domestic flights).
Looking to the complaint technically, one of the SADC Secretariat key objectives is to reduce the costs of doing business in the region. However, some interventions of the Secretariat are bounded by its regional economic integration process. SADC is currently a FTA among its 11 Member States, enabling goods originating in Member States applying the FTA to enter duty free and quota free under certain conditions stated in the SADC Protocol on Trade. For this economic activity, economic operators are not obliged to be registered as economic operators in the countries were goods are delivered. A deeper regional economic integration would be needed in order to allow foreign economic operators to engage in business activities in Member States, benefiting from local business opportunities but also fiscal obligations. This is a level of economic integration closer to common market and which unfortunately, the SADC Protocol on Trade does not provide for. |
|
|
NTB-000-353 |
7.9. Inadequate trade related infrastructure |
2010-02-10 |
SADC |
Namibia |
Resolved
2016-10-07 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
A truck legally loaded in Namibia may not be legally loaded in another SADC country due to lack of uniform loads and Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM) standards in SADC. There is need to standardize the axle loads |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
FESARTA reported that this NTB was no longer in place |
|
|
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-000-374 |
2.8. Lengthy and costly customs clearance procedures |
2010-02-10 |
COMESA |
Zimbabwe |
Resolved
2019-10-12 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Lack of a SADC simplified trading regime hampers small traders from doing business with their SADC counterparts. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
During the national Workshop to launch SMS tool for Zimbabwe and training on online system, held on 10- 12 October 2019, Zimbabwe reviewed all outstanding NTBs and reported that SADC had made progress in developing the SADC STR and therefore this resolves the issue. |
|
|
NTB-000-375 |
2.3. Issues related to the rules of origin |
2010-02-10 |
SADC |
Zimbabwe |
Resolved
2011-11-10 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
There is lack of clarity and information on the authorities issuing and processing SADC certificates of origin in Member states. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
SADC secretariat reported that : as stated in rule 9 of the 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 reception. Additionally, 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 process of SADC RoO, but also all the binding documentation that enhances trade in the Region. |
|
|
NTB-000-321 |
7.9. Inadequate trade related infrastructure |
2009-09-09 |
SADC |
Seychelles |
Resolved
2011-06-03 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Innadequate air passenger links between Member states. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
Seychelles reported that she is in the process of liberalizing trade and expanding trade within COMESA, SADC and IOC in order to facilitate trade within the region and access to food imports |
|
|
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-000-378 |
7.6. Lack of information on procedures (or changes thereof) |
2010-02-10 |
SADC |
Zimbabwe |
Resolved
2012-06-15 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Cross border traders and exporters in general are not aware of the SADC FTA particularly the tariff reduction schedules. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
The 10th SADC meeting of the Sub Committtee on Trade Facilitation held on 14-15 June 2012 noted that tariff data is available on the SADC website for the benefit of stakeholders and that Member States have the responsibility to undertake sensitisation in their respective territories to create awareness. |
|
|
NTB-000-238 |
7.6. Lack of information on procedures (or changes thereof) |
2009-08-13 |
SADC |
Mozambique |
Resolved
2011-02-06 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Mozambique is experiencing difficulties using the NTBs online reporting system because it does not have a portuguese version. It is not enough to translate the user guide because users need to intract with the system itself. The secretariat should urgently look into this issue to enable Portuguese speaking countries to utilise the system. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
Website has been translated into French and Portuguese languages |
|
|
NTB-000-204 |
1.1. Export subsidies
B41: TBT regulations on production processes |
2009-07-27 |
SADC |
Zimbabwe |
Resolved
2010-11-22 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Non recognition given of ZIMBABWE standards as having equivalent outcomes by SADC countries Authorities |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
SADC Secretariat advised that there is no obligation for any country to recognize another country’s national standard in SADC. However if a standard has been harmonized at regional level, all SADC countries are expected to adopt and recognize that standard. Many national standards bodies adopt international standards as their national standards. It would be highly unusual and unexpected for one country not to recognize a national standard - which is an adoption of an international standard - of a second country |
|
|
NTB-000-224 |
5.4. Quotas
Policy/Regulatory |
2009-07-28 |
SADC |
Zambia |
Resolved
2010-11-22 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Import Quotas into SACU member states for sugar |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
Botswana reported that this is a SACU wide policy decision. |
|
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