| Complaint number |
NTB Type
|
Date of incident |
Location |
Reporting country or region (additional) |
Status |
Actions |
|
NTB-000-754 |
7.3. Corruption |
2017-07-01 |
Mozambique: Police checkpoint in Dondo |
Mozambique |
Resolved
2020-02-06 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
A week or so ago one of the drivers got stopped at Dondo Check Point in Mozambique.
They told the driver that his International Driving Permit (AA) was fake.
We ended up having to pay a fine of 50,000 mts equating to $833.00. With administration charges we have paid out $1,026.00 (fine attached)
The AA have verified our Driving permit is actually not fake.
Attached the report from our agent in Beira of Beloma Mr. Dirk Dieltiens.
Attached his report and correspondence.
Attached the old and new Permit from AA and the letter confirming documentation is in good order. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
on 6 February 2020, SADC NTBs Focal Point advised that they had contacted the Mozambican Focal Pont who confirmed that the NTB was resolved. |
|
|
Products:
|
98 - 99: Service |
|
|
NTB-000-926 |
7.3. Corruption |
2019-11-04 |
Mozambique: Delegação Aduaneira de Zobwe |
Malawi |
Resolved
2021-07-09 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Bus travelers are being charged R50 on Zobue and Cuchamano border with Mozambique for passport stamping on Entry and Exit as traders travel by Road. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
The National Migration Service (SENAMI) suspended the border fee in 2010 and, even when it was being charged, it was forty-nine Meticais and forty-four Centavos (49.44 MZN) and not fifty Rands. |
|
|
NTB-000-931 |
7.3. Corruption |
2019-11-26 |
Zambia: Mazabuka |
|
Resolved
2020-06-24 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Zambia Police (not RTSA) often demand first aid kits from Heavy Goods Drivers. As outlined in Roads and Road Traffic Act, Chapter 464, Third Schedule (Regulation 17), this is NOT a requirement for a HGV, but rather for a passenger omnibus or taxi (vehicles carrying passengers for reward). As best practice and as required by some customers, a few HGV operators do place sealed first aid kits in the cabs of the trucks. ZP then break the seal and claim the kit is incomplete. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
On June 24 2020, Zambia Focal Point reported that the complaining company had confirmed that this problem was no longer an issue therefore it id resolved |
|
|
NTB-000-344 |
7.8. Consular and Immigration Issues |
2009-12-18 |
South Africa: Ministry of Transport |
Zambia |
Resolved
2011-01-07 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
South Africa trucks with Zimbabwean and Zambian drivers are being impounded and at times foreign drivers get fined by the South African Cross Border Transport Agency for not possessing South African Professional Driving Permits disregarding section 32(3) of the National Road Traffic Act (Act No. 93 of 1996) which stipulates that "any document , serving a purpose similar to that of a professional driving permit issued by a competent authority , be deemed to be a professional driving permit".
This has been a serious issue for many years and rears its head every now and then. ( |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
South Africa reported that Zimbabwean driving a Zimbabwean registered vehicle only need to produce a credit card metal licence with a category for the Public drivers for heavy vehicles marked '2', endorsement of medical certificate and expiry date at the back of the licence.
Drivers driving a vehicle not registered in Zimbabwe should produce an A5 size white booklet type licence, International driving permit equivalent of a Proffessional Driving Permit in South Africa issued by Automobile association of Zimbabwe. An AA stamp indicating category for heavy vehicle will be displayed on the right handside of the document.
Zambian public drivers licences are similar to those of South Africa issued with a C1 to EC category of licences with endorsement (PrDP) .However the Zambian driving licences have 'P', which means passengers and 'G' indicating goods and th expiry date next to these categories
|
|
|
NTB-000-371 |
7.8. Consular and Immigration Issues |
2010-02-10 |
Tanzania: Ministry of Trade |
Zambia |
Resolved
2011-05-23 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Tanzania was charging a discriminatory US$100.00 for visa for all business people attending the Saba Saba Trade Fair in Dar es Salaam without notification. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
Tanzania reported that there is no VISA between Tanzania and Zambia. US$ 100 is not VISA but rather a Temporary Assignment Pass for any gainful activity which is undertaken for less than 3 months which is being paid at the entry and exit points respectively. Notification is communicated during the preparations of the trade fairs. |
|
|
NTB-000-063 |
7.8. Consular and Immigration Issues |
2009-07-23 |
Lesotho: Ministry of labour |
Lesotho |
Resolved
2010-11-22 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Lesotho is restricting employment of qualified manpower nit available in that country |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
Lesotho reported there are expatriates who are working in Lesotho in various professions, so there is no employment restriction of qualified manpower in the country. |
|
|
NTB-000-244 |
7.8. Consular and Immigration Issues |
2009-09-08 |
Angola: Ministry of Home Affairs |
Namibia |
Resolved
2011-11-30 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Processing of visa requirements for business travel and professional staff to enter Angola take long. (10 working days),are costly and rapidly fill the pages of one's passport. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
During the NTBs national workshop held in Angola on 30 November 2011, Angola reported that Namibian citizens do not require VISA to Angola. VISAs are processed in a period between 2-10 days. |
|
|
NTB-000-325 |
7.8. Consular and Immigration Issues |
2009-09-09 |
Mozambique: Ministry of Home Affairs |
Eswatini |
Resolved
2010-11-22 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Mozambique requires visas for swaziland business people |
|
|
NTB-000-112 |
7.8. Consular and Immigration Issues |
2009-07-26 |
Namibia: Ministry of Home Affairs |
South Africa |
Resolved
2010-11-22 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Work permits are required from consultants and business representatives even for one day visits. |
|
|
NTB-000-398 |
7.8. Consular and Immigration Issues |
2011-02-22 |
Mozambique: Ministry of Interior - Immigration Department |
Mozambique |
Resolved
2011-09-19 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Foreigners are required to have a biometric document, either visa or residence document. This document is issued by the Ministry of Interior. The fees for issuing such documents are substantially higher than the cost of issuing the actual document, given that a passport containing a number of pages is charged at a much lower rate than a visa or residence document, while a visa is a sticker in a passport and a residence document is a simple plastic credit card-style ID. In addition for any national that is not from a Lusophone country a surcharge is levied over and above the cost of issuing the document. There is no indication of what this surcharge is levied for, since it does not equate to the service of actually issuing the document (which is covered by the actual document fee). |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
Mozambique reported that there is no regional fee standard to benchmark with. Visas are issued by a private sector company. Ministry of Interrior does not therefore control the visa fees. |
|
|
Products:
|
98: Reserved for national use |
|
|
NTB-000-421 |
7.8. Consular and Immigration Issues
Policy/Regulatory |
2011-07-07 |
Zambia: Chirundu |
Zimbabwe |
Resolved
2013-04-13 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
A comercial truck driver's trip was rejected entry into Zambia ,the driver was rejected entry after the expected required number of days (90) allowed entry into Zambia had expired within a period of 12 months . The company was required to pay ZK 2 million for a three month permit. The fees are too exhobitant especially for small scale transport companies. Visa restriction on the movement of commercial vehicle drivers on duty have been experienced in Angola, Namibia, South Africa and Zambia. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
Pursuant to the SADC transport Protocol signed by Heads of States on the 22nd August 1996 in Maseru, Lesotho and the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Walvis Bay -Ndola-Lubumbashi Corridor signed in March 2010 in Livingstone, Zambia, Zambia directed all Regional Immigration Officers to issue one (01) year Transit Permit to all Foreign truck drivers. The Truck Drivers permit is issued in aacordance to section 32 ,Border Pass and Transit Permit of the Immigration Act of Zambia implememnted from 09 December 2011. |
|
|
Products:
|
1511.10: Crude palm oil |
|
|
NTB-000-442 |
7.8. Consular and Immigration Issues |
2011-09-03 |
Kenya: Immigration Department |
Rwanda |
Resolved
2014-12-11 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Lengthy procedures for issuing work permits by Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania Immigration departments.As per BCI 2008 ,business take between 1-5 months to acquire work permits for workers sourced from another EAC country.Businesses are forced to employ locals who may lack required skills. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
At the 16th EAC regional forum on non tariff barriers held in Kigali in December 2014, EAC Secretariat reported that the Kenya had abolished this requirement. This NTB is therefore resolved |
|
|
NTB-000-452 |
7.8. Consular and Immigration Issues |
2011-09-03 |
Tanzania: Mbeya |
Uganda |
Resolved
2012-04-26 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Tanzania Border posts charge Visa charges of US$ 250 for businessmen from Uganda. |
|
|
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, Tanzania reported that it does not charge visa from EAC members. |
|
|
NTB-000-777 |
7.8. Consular and Immigration Issues |
2017-05-05 |
Tanzania: Ministry of Home Affairs - Immigration |
Uganda |
Resolved
2018-05-12 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Tanzania imposes Business visa fees of US$100 charged contrary to provisions of the Common Market Protocol |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
During the Senior Officials' meeting held in October, 2017 Tanzania reported that she would follow up with the relevant Authorities on the NTB of charging Business VISA fee for drivers and report back to the Regional Forum in March, 2018. During the 25th EAC Regional Forum on NTBs held from 9- 12 May 2018 Uganda reported that the requirement had been lifted and therefore the issue has been resolved. |
|
|
NTB-000-246 |
7.7. Complex variety of documentation required |
2009-09-08 |
Namibia: Revenue Authority |
Namibia |
Resolved
2012-04-26 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Procedures for VAT (claim back) in Namibia are too complicated |
|
|
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, Namibia reported that customs only processess those refund applications accompanied by relevant documentation. The documents required are a completed NA66, a proof of export (SAD 500 that has been dully proceeded at the point of export) and the invoice that the goods have been obtained. This process was to verify that the goods are indeed obtained and exported. If any of these documents are outstanding customs has the right to refuse such payment.
The Ministry of Finance, Customs Division was in the process of reviewing customs procedures and once this exercise is finalized the revised procedures will be posted on the customs website and will be made available to the public. The meeting accepted Namibia’s submission to resolve this NTB |
|
|
NTB-000-363 |
7.7. Complex variety of documentation required |
2010-02-10 |
Kenya: Kenya Revenue Authority |
Zambia |
Resolved
2010-11-22 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Documentations requirements for exports to Kenya are too cumbersome (SGS invoice is issued after one month and you are charged inspection charges. With regards to import permits, Zambian exporter has to raise COMESA Certification and send to Kenyan importer before shipping the goods. This process takes more than 3 months. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
Issue resolved through COMESA Customs and Trade Committee |
|
|
NTB-000-933 |
7.7. Complex variety of documentation required |
2018-10-12 |
Egypt: Port Said Sea Port |
Mauritius |
Resolved
2020-10-08 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
The Egyptian authorities require a number of lengthy and costly documentation for clearance of consignment at customs. The identified cumbersome documentation requirements are as follows:
1. All export documents must be signed and stamped by the exporter's legal representative
2. All export documents must be signed and stamped by the Prime Minister's Office of Mauritius (Apostille requirement)
3. All export documents must be signed and stamped by Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Mauritius (Apostille requirement)
4. All export documents must be signed and stamped by the Egyptian Embassy in Mauritius
5. All export documents must be signed and stamped by the Mauritius Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Some products also require a Certificate of Origin issued by the Mauritius Chamber of Commerce and Industry despite being already accompanied by a COMESA Certificate of Origin. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
During the 5th Meeting of the COMESA Trade and Trade Facilitation Sub Committee held on 6- 8 October , Mauritius reported that the NTB had been resolved |
|
|
NTB-001-069 |
7.7. Complex variety of documentation required |
2016-09-15 |
Egypt: Chamber of Commerce
Egyptian Embassy
Ministry of Foreign Trade |
Mauritius |
Resolved
2025-10-08 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
A number of procedural requirements are currently impeding the exports of Mauritian products to Egypt. To that effect, the concerned authorities in Mauritius have made enquiries with a registered trader in Egypt and it has been brought to its attention that for an exporter to start trading with an Egyptian importer, the following documents, duly certified by the Chamber of Commerce and approved by the Embassy of the Arab Republic of Egypt, have to be submitted as per Ministerial Decree 43/2016:
i. A registration form by the legal representative of the factory or authorised person;
ii. A certificate of legal status of the factory and the issued license of the factory;
iii. A list of products of the factory and their brand;
iv. The brand of the product and the Trademark produced according to a license from the owner;
v. A certificate that the factory has a Quality Control System from a recognised body of The International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC) or the International Accreditation Forum (IAF) or from an Egyptian or Foreign Government body approved by the Minister of Foreign Trade.
The authorities in Mauritius consider that these procedural requirements constitute a Non-Tariff Barrier and in that regard contravene Article 49 of the COMESA Treaty.
We would appreciate that the authorities concerned in Egypt review these procedures in order to facilitate trade in line with the spirit of the COMESA Treaty.
|
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
Egypt has approved the accreditation of Mauritius Standards Bureau (MSB) as a government entity to issue quality management system certificates, as required for registration by Ministerial Decree No. 43 of 2016. The NTB can now be marked as 'Resolved' |
|
|
NTB-000-424 |
6.6. Border taxes |
2011-07-04 |
Kenya: Malaba |
Uganda |
Resolved
2011-08-29 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Effective July 2007 to date Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS) imposed a Plant Import Permit (PIP) of KShs 500 on every truckload of Uganda tea in transit to Mombasa, reason that they have to issue a Phytosanitary certificate when Uganda tea is being exported. However at this time Uganda tea is already sold off. This practice is contrary to international practice where the Phytosanitary certificate is issued by a competent authority in the country of origin in this case Uganda. The above practice also many times delays Uganda tea at Malaba due to making receipts, verification and clearing hence late for listing at Mombasa auction therefore making it less competitive. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
At the NMC meeting held in Nairobi on 29 August 2011, Kenya reported that:
1. Kenya does not issue plant import permit to goods in transit.
2. If tea is specifically declared as in transit, Malaba border verifies documentation and release without charging import permit. However if declared for local consumption, permit is invoked. |
|
|
Products:
|
0902.30: Black fermented tea and partly fermented tea, whether or not flavoured, in immediate packings of <= 3 kg |
|
|
NTB-000-650 |
6.6. Border taxes |
2015-02-01 |
Mozambique: Delegação Aduaneira de Ressano Garcia (Road) |
South Africa |
Resolved
2015-06-19 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Good day. Terminal Operator at Ressano Garcia plans to enforce fees to all cargo vehicles for the utilization of Ressano Garcia with effect from the 16th February 2015. The fees as attached to this request are ridiculous as a truck weighing 28Tons with Imports to Mozambique is expected to pay no less than R3000 on each occasion they enter Mozambique via Ressano Garcia. The upgrades at the port were an investment to ease trade facilitation and I'm of the view that traders are not opposed to paying however the required amount is way high and unfortunately the end-user will end up carrying these costs the end of the day. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
On 25 February 2015, Mozambique focal point confirmed that there has not been any fee set or fee charged for the use of the cargo Terminal of Ressano Garcia, since this matter is still under discussion internally. This NTB is therefore resolved |
|
English
Français
