| Complaint number |
NTB Type
|
Date of incident |
Location |
Reporting country or region (additional) |
Status |
Actions |
|
NTB-001-023 |
8.1. Government Policy and regulations |
2021-07-26 |
Democratic Republic of the Congo: The DRC government. Ministry of Transport |
South Africa |
Resolved
2026-04-15 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
The DRC has just published legislation prohibiting foreign vehicles from loading mining products and to remove (export) them from the DRC. The unofficial translation of the new DRC amendment:Article 4-It is strictly forbidden for any vehicle not registered in the Democratic Republic of Congo to load goods, in this case mining products from the national territory; In the event of violation of the above paragraph, the goods are immediately unloaded at the shipper's risk.
According to an unofficial translation of article four of the amendment affecting the DRC's road freight sector, "it is strictly forbidden for any vehicle not registered in the DRC to load goods, in this case mining products, from the national territory”.
The article continues, saying "in the event of violation of the above paragraph, the goods are immediately unloaded at the shipper's risk”. The decision is expected to have a wide-ranging impact on exports out of the DRC's Copperbelt region, with some transporters going so far as to say that it's wholly impractical and a protectionist strategy that is bound to boomerang against the government in Kinshasa. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
During the SADC Regional workshop on resolution of NTBs it was agreed that SADC Carbotage regulations do not allow foreign trucks to load on return trip |
|
|
NTB-001-118 |
8.7. Costly Road user charges /fees |
2023-05-16 |
Democratic Republic of the Congo: Mitaka, Lualaba province Democratic republic of Congo |
Namibia |
Resolved
2026-04-15 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
DRC authorities in Mutaka, Lualaba province are charging 100 United states dollars for scanning each commercial truck loaded with cargo.
Cumbersome barriers, lengthy procedures have caused unprecedented congestion of hundreds of trucks in Mutaka area.
Truck drivers no sanitation, no wellness facilities, power security. One truck driver died in his truck on the due to Kasumbalesa border. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
Taxes have been abolished |
|
|
NTB-001-120 |
7.5. Lengthy procedures |
2023-06-12 |
Democratic Republic of the Congo: |
Zambia |
Resolved
2026-01-23 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
SADC Truck drivers at all Borders with DRC are experiencing cumbersome payment procedures for the scanner costing $100 and forced parking costing $30 which has led to congestion (long queues) subjecting drivers to as; no sanitation, delayment on average by 8 days and serious security concerns; and Delayed document processing by mining houses i.e. It takes an average of 14 - 30 days to be cleared after loading. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
Considering the Zamia NMC report above, which indicates that the Truckers Association of Zambia stated that the parking fees and scanner charges had been lifted, this NTB is therefore considered resolved. |
|
|
NTB-001-125 |
2.8. Lengthy and costly customs clearance procedures |
2023-06-01 |
Democratic Republic of the Congo: |
Malawi |
Resolved
2026-04-15 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Cross Border truck drivers from Malawi, Zambia and other COMESA Member States face cumbersome procedures of clearing goods and other transit issues at the relevant border post in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). In particular the following is reported:
1. Scanner at Mutaka- Cumbersome payment procedures for the scanner ($100) and forced parking ($30) which has led to congestion for the drivers as well as serious security concerns.
2. Unnecessary stoppages along Kasumbalesa-Kolwezi Corridor causing massive delays.
3. Delayed document processing by Mining houses.
4. Unfair treatment of drivers in an event of accidents, sickness and death. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
During the NTBs workshop 17th - 19th April 2024, DRC Focal Point confirmed that the scanner and parking charges have been lifted.
During NMC meeting held in Malawi in March 2026, Malawi NFP contacted their truck association who confirmed that they were no longer paying the charges therefore NTBs has been resolved. |
|
|
NTB-001-311 |
5.3. Export taxes |
2026-03-02 |
Democratic Republic of the Congo: Kasumbalesa |
|
Resolved
2026-05-25 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
It is reported by the Truckers Association of Zambia that the DRC Revenue Authority - General Directorate of Taxes, 3 weeks ago, introduced an import and export tax of about $85, and this has been reported at Kasumbalesa Border Post. The procedure and rationale in which this was introduced is unknown to Zambia, therefore, feedback is sought from our colleagues in DRC on this matter. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
On 4 May 2026, the Zambia Focal Point reported that they had not received any feedback or official communication from the complaint. Additionally, no further complaints have been brought by Zambian nationals, so the matter can be regarded as resolved. |
|
|
NTB-000-053 |
2.3. Issues related to the rules of origin |
2009-01-21 |
Burundi: Ministry of Trade |
Eswatini |
Resolved
2010-11-22 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Refuse to offer a minimum reduction of 60% on standard importatiion of sugar from Swaziland as agreed.
Burundian Customs are claiming that Swaziland is not a member of COMESA. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
Issue was resolved by the COMESA Customs and Trade Committee |
|
|
NTB-000-445 |
2.8. Lengthy and costly customs clearance procedures |
2011-09-02 |
Burundi: Revenue Authority |
Tanzania |
Resolved
2012-04-26 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Burundi customs system does not interface within the customs’ systems in the Revenue Authorities in Partner States |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
Burundi and Rwanda NMC consultations held during the 3rd meeting of the Tripartite NTBs Focal Points and NMC Chairs in Dar-es-salaam on 19-20 April 2012 concluded that the issue had been resolved after Rwanda bureau of standards recognised that Burundi water meets international standards. |
|
|
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-000-912 |
2.3. Issues related to the rules of origin
Policy/Regulatory |
2019-09-10 |
Burundi: Bujumbura Port |
Tanzania |
Resolved
2021-04-05 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Republic of Burundi has denied preferential treatment of MS -Plate (Iron sheet) produced by ALAF Company in Tanzania. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
During the NMC meeting, held in April 2021, the meeting was informed that the NTB was Resolved. |
|
|
NTB-000-952 |
1.7. Discriminatory or flawed government procurement policies
Policy/Regulatory |
2020-03-20 |
Burundi: Ministry of Trade, Industry and Tourism |
Tanzania |
Resolved
2020-09-01 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Disrimination and denial of Market Access for salt in Burundi.
There was a survey carried by Ministry incharge of Public Health in 2018 in relation to the consumption of salt, that the result revealed that only 52% of Burundians consume adequately iodized salt. On the basis of this survey the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Tourism has taken measures to authorize and license four trading companies as importers of adequately iodized packaged with an iodization rate of between 30 and 60ppm and provided with a certificate of conformity from Standards Bureau of the importing country. The companies authorized and approved by Ministry to import salt in Burundi are the followings;
1. Ubuntu Investment company
2. Geprotus
3. Gitega Business Centre
4. Burundi Import (BIMPO)
No other company or individual is authorized to import and market food salt without the authorization of the Minister in-charge of trade. The issue is the government of Burundi is discriminating other companies to import salt in Burundi. This is against EAC rules and procedures, if the issue is standard of salt there is mutual recognition concerning standard in EAC as per SQMT Act 2016.
|
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
During the RMC meeting held on 1 September 2020, Burundi reported that an official letter of the Ministry of Trade informing that the measure reducing the number of companies importing cooking salt has been removed. Now the economic operators in the salt trade are authorized and encouraged to do so in strict compliance with the law. The letter specifies however that the imported cooking salt must be a finished product, crushed, cleaned, dried and packaged, adequately iodized and provided with a certificate of conformity from the office of Standard of the import country. |
|
|
NTB-000-104 |
2.7. International taxes and charges levied on imports and other tariff measures |
2009-07-26 |
Botswana: Ministry of Agriculture |
South Africa |
Resolved
2011-01-10 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Botswana imposed 15% levy on wheat imports |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
Botswana advised that she does not impose levy on wheat imports. |
|
|
NTB-000-115 |
8.7. Costly Road user charges /fees
Policy/Regulatory |
2009-07-26 |
Botswana: Ministry of Transport |
South Africa |
Resolved
2011-01-10 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Botswana charges very high road levies. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
Botswana reported that Botswana charges road levies on entry to Botswana at the border only. Road levies are used for road maintenance in Botswana, and are only paid once at entry point. |
|
|
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-000-136 |
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:
|
An import levy of 15% is charged on wheat flour |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
Botswana reporte4d that she does not impose levy on wheat |
|
|
NTB-000-136 |
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:
|
An import levy of 15% is charged on wheat flour |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
Botswana reported that she does not impose levy on wheat imports. Botswana is imposing the 15% levy on wheat flour.The wheat flour Levy was introduced in 2003, through the Control of Goods, Prices and other charges Act Chapter 43 section 8 Subsection 3 which restrict importation on wheat flour, thereby encouraging the protection of industries in Botswana. The ACt is still under review. The 15% levy is intended as protection for millers in Botswana and is also designed to support value addition. Consultations are in progress with relevant Ministry. Botswana indicated that resolution of this complaint is dependent on the results of the review of the “Control of Goods, Prices and Other Charges Act” which has been stalled pending the establishment of a National Body. A study to assess the relevance of the levy on wheat flour is still being planned. 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-000-346 |
1.1. Export subsidies
B81: Product registration/approval requirements |
2010-02-09 |
Botswana: Ministry of Health |
Botswana |
Resolved
2011-06-08 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
The Botswana drug registration process was intended to safeguard public health. However, due to lack of human resources, to administer the process, half of the drugs available in South Africa are no longer available in Botswana |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
Botswana reported that it regulates medicines to safeguard public health and to assess products/ drugs.
There is a priority list for drugs, e.g. for the following diseases; HIV, Tuberculoses and Malaria.
The issue of lack of human resources is being addressed |
|
|
NTB-000-348 |
5.1. Quantitative restrictions |
2010-02-09 |
Botswana: Ministry of Trade |
Botswana |
Resolved
2011-07-22 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Botswana regulates importation and pricing of petroleum products |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
Botswana reported that petroleum products are not regulated |
|
|
NTB-000-348 |
5.1. Quantitative restrictions |
2010-02-09 |
Botswana: Ministry of Trade |
Botswana |
Resolved
2011-07-22 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Botswana regulates importation and pricing of petroleum products |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
On 22 July 2011, Botswana reported that petroleum products are not regulated |
|
|
NTB-000-099 |
1.2. Government monopoly in export/import |
2009-07-26 |
Botswana: Ministry of Trade |
South Africa |
Resolved
2010-11-22 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Botswana has single marketing channel for maize |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
Botswana reported that she has multi channel maize marketing. Ministry of Agriculture issue import permits to ensure balance between local sourcing and importation. |
|
English
Français
