| Complaint number |
NTB Type
|
Date of incident |
Location |
Reporting country or region (additional) |
Status |
Actions |
|
NTB-001-224 |
2.8. Lengthy and costly customs clearance procedures |
2024-11-22 |
South Africa: South African Revenue Authority |
Mauritius |
Resolved
2025-01-23 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Mauritius Customs is unable to accept the SADC Certificate ZA PQ 56085 issued by Customs in South Africa due to missing of specimen signature at their level. The Mauritius Customs sent a request to RSA Customs to get a confirmation of the signature .Up to date they have not yet received any reply. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
At the level of MRA Customs, an issue was reported on certificate ZA P956085 which has been resolved since we received communication from SARS on 23rd January 2025. |
|
|
NTB-001-211 |
2.13. Issues related to Pre-Shipment Inspections |
2024-10-01 |
Uganda: UNBS |
Kenya |
Resolved
2024-11-23 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Kenya is experiencing unfair treatment by UNBS. Where the institution refused to recognize PERMITS Issued by KEBS. Unfortunately, efforts to engage with border and Headquarters UNBS officials have not been fruitful because the manufacturer didn't receive any help insisting that Kenya manufacturers pay the destination Inspection fee despite products having standardization marks with harmonized standards.
UNBS demand that payments for destination must be done without any other documents issued by UNBS.
Additionally, it’s been a challenge getting sample receipts when UNBS pick samples for every consignment. Manufacturers would demand drivers to pay for lack of evidence of the huge samples taken by UNBS. Also clients receive less paid items due to samples collected by UNBS. This is unfair and has raised concerns to Kenya manufacturers and clients in Uganda.
Affected products include cosmetics products |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
EAC has Harmonized Standards for Furniture, but they are not exhaustive. The trader was transferring types of furniture falling in a category where no harmonized standard exists. In such circumstances the goods might be subject to retesting.
The meeting hence noted that this was not an NTB but an operational challenge and should be referred to the Committee on Standards for consideration. |
|
|
NTB-001-226 |
1.1. Export subsidies |
2024-11-20 |
Lesotho: Maseru Bridge |
Lesotho |
Resolved
2026-04-15 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Samples being sent by road-freight to South Africa for testing at an accredited laboratory were refused passage.
Company was informed that the only way to send the samples for testing was to send via air. The challenges are that bulk orders do not fit on an Airlink flight and therefore would require a specific mode of chartered transport .This increases costs significantly and could potentially be the cause that orders are cancelled |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
The SADC NTBs held in Johannesburg South Africa resolved this NTB referencing (General regulations made in terms of the medicines and related substances act of 1965(Act No:101 of 1965)- Amendment published on the 1st August 2025). The amended legislation designate Maseru border post as Land Border Posts for import of any medicine or scheduled substance into the Republic of South Africa provided that the Authority is notified of and approves the intended importation. The email has been sent to BMA requesting for confirmation of the enforcement of the amended legislation by 15 April 2026. The amended legislation is attached for ease of reference. |
|
|
NTB-001-212 |
2.10. Inadequate or unreasonable customs procedures and charges |
2024-10-01 |
Uganda: URA |
Kenya |
Resolved
2024-11-23 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Kenya is experiencing unfair treatment by URA. Where the institution refuses to recognize the weights of export documents of the sealed goods, C2 and road consignment notes. Uganda usually issues notice of seizure for mis appropriation of weight across items. Unfortunately, efforts to engage with border officials have not been fruitful because the officers demand for 100% verification for all the consignments every time at the cost of the manufacturer. This is regardless the products being fragile and without good equipment to offload and load. At times the items brake causing loses to paid products.
All shipments to Uganda are subjected to 100% verification by URA, This has huge cost implications and delay in delivery of the goods. Some of the products affected include ceramic products - Close Couple Toilet, Basin and Pedestal. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
The Senior Officials noted that it is a customs procedure to verify goods transferred and not an NTB. The meeting further emphasized the need for due consideration to be given considering the nature of the products which are fragile. |
|
|
NTB-001-228 |
2.8. Lengthy and costly customs clearance procedures |
2025-01-16 |
Tanzania: Tanzania Revenue Authority
Ministry of Minerals |
Zambia |
Resolved
2026-04-14 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Tanzania Revenue Authority has introduced a new system for copper imports whereby the Ministry of Minerals must stamp the export permit. Only once this is done can the assessment be completed and the vehicles cross the border (Nakonde/Tunduma) to Tanzania. Once the vehicle is on the Tanzania side, the Ministry of Minerals must stamp the assessment. After the assessment is stamped, it must be scanned to the TRA HQ in Dar es Salaam for approval. The Approval is then scanned back to the border, and the T1 can be generated and the vehicles cleared for movement. This is time-consuming and leads to further congestion at this border post, where containerised cargo to Zambia takes a fortnight to cross between Tunduma and Nakonde. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
During SADC Regiomal NTBs meeting held on 14 April 2026, Zambia confirmed that the NTB was resolved |
|
|
NTB-001-213 |
5.14. Restrictive licenses
Policy/Regulatory |
2021-01-01 |
Rwanda: Rwanda FDA |
Kenya |
Resolved
2024-11-23 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Rwanda requires manufacturers in Kenya to register their cosmetic products with FDA. The process of pproduct registration is cumbersome, not clear and it takes long, sample of evidence attached shows payment was done in 2021 for 63 products but up to date only 37 products have been registered.
The registration and payment are demanded despite the products having the Kenya recognized quality marks (SMark) with harminised standard. This is a violation of the SQMT Act. In addition, Rwanda FDA had committed that they are not going to retest nor charge the same fees to products that have been certified with recognised SMark.
Invoice number $14,150 and invoice $1,600 FDA. Rwanda use these FDA registration to restrict our cosmetics products and food into Rwanda as Rwanda has not issued licenses for cosmetics since 2021. Additionally, these has reduced shipments of goods to Rwanda and the charges charged to products has made the prices rising. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
During the Sectoral Committee on Trade meeting Partner States agreed that the NTB be referred to the East African Standards Committee (EASC) for consideration. |
|
|
NTB-001-230 |
6.2. Administrative fees |
2024-11-28 |
Tanzania: Ngara District Council |
Rwanda |
Resolved
2025-05-30 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Tanzania charged 100,000Tsh on trucks transporting agricultural products from Kahama and Ngara District to Rwanda, and this is not fair for goods in transit. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
During the RMC, Tanzania reported that it is a district developmental fee and is charged non-discriminatorily to all traders transferring agricultural produce from the districts and provided evidence for the same.
Hence, the NTB is resolved |
|
|
NTB-001-213 |
5.14. Restrictive licenses
Policy/Regulatory |
2021-01-01 |
Rwanda: Rwanda FDA |
Kenya |
Resolved
2024-11-23 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Rwanda requires manufacturers in Kenya to register their cosmetic products with FDA. The process of pproduct registration is cumbersome, not clear and it takes long, sample of evidence attached shows payment was done in 2021 for 63 products but up to date only 37 products have been registered.
The registration and payment are demanded despite the products having the Kenya recognized quality marks (SMark) with harminised standard. This is a violation of the SQMT Act. In addition, Rwanda FDA had committed that they are not going to retest nor charge the same fees to products that have been certified with recognised SMark.
Invoice number $14,150 and invoice $1,600 FDA. Rwanda use these FDA registration to restrict our cosmetics products and food into Rwanda as Rwanda has not issued licenses for cosmetics since 2021. Additionally, these has reduced shipments of goods to Rwanda and the charges charged to products has made the prices rising. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
During the Sectoral Committee on Trade meeting, Partner States agreed that this issue be referred to the East African Standards Committee (EASC) for consideration. |
|
|
NTB-001-232 |
2.6. Additional taxes and other charges |
2025-01-23 |
Tanzania: Tanzania Revenue Authority |
Rwanda |
Resolved
2025-05-30 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Refusing to grant Preferential Tariff Treatment on Fridges and Freezers.The United Republic of Tanzania denied Preferential Tariff Treatment to Rwandan fridges and freezers manufactured by ALMAHA INDUSTRY CO. LTD, in Rwanda, despite the EAC Customs Management Act and Legal Notice No. EAC/287/2024 offers a 10% import duty remission under regional preferential tariff treatment. Thus, all EAC Partner States are obliged to allow preferential tariff treatment for these products |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
The 38th RMC was informed that the NTB was resolved |
|
|
NTB-001-214 |
6.6. Border taxes |
2024-10-01 |
Tanzania: Rusumo, Mutukula, Kabanga |
Rwanda |
Resolved
2025-11-25 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Through Port Health at Rusumo, Kobero / Kabanga and Mutukula/Mutukula, the United Republic of Tanzania charges the Republic of Rwanda and the Republic of Burundi Trucks 5 USD or the equivalent in Tshs as Free Pratique which is not in the EAC legal framework for free movement of cross-border trade. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
This charge is not discriminative. |
|
|
NTB-001-217 |
1.1. Export subsidies |
2024-09-24 |
Tanzania: Kabanga |
Burundi |
Resolved
2026-03-04 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
URT IS IMPOSING TO BURUNDI A TAX FOR SALUBRITY FOR TRANSIT TRUCKS imposed by port health on borders. This case is for 2 borders : Kabanga and Mutukula with different dates: 24 September 2024 and 02 October 2024. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
URT reported that the matter is not discriminative. The measure applies to all entry and exit points and it applies to Tanzanians as well. The Republic of Burundi confirmed that the NTB was resolved. |
|
|
NTB-001-237 |
7.10. Other |
2024-05-28 |
Zambia: Chirundu |
Zimbabwe |
Resolved
2025-03-19 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
The authorities on the Zambian customs are issuing COMESA certificates on ploughs and parts exported into Zimbabwe when these products are Imported from India and China. Zambia have no ploughs and parts manufacturer except for wheels. Again how does a COMESA certificate get issued with no manufacturer name inscribed? |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
The Ministry of Commerce, Trade & Industry and our customs authorities have reviewed this matter and wish to advise that Zimbabwe should not honour the STR Document.
Further to your report that you have seen similar matters, the authorities have gone a step further to look into the said matters.
If our response (i.e. Zimbabwe should not honour this STR Document) is satisfactory, we request that the NTB status be changed to resolved. |
|
|
Products:
|
8432.90: Parts of agricultural, horticultural or forestry machinery for soil preparation or cultivation or of lawn or sports-ground rollers, n.e.s. |
|
|
NTB-001-220 |
2.3. Issues related to the rules of origin |
2024-07-01 |
Uganda: Uganda Revenue Authorities |
Kenya |
Resolved
2025-05-30 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Certificate of Origin Declined (Issues of RoO)
Uganda has declined to recognize the Certificate of Origin for chewing gum manufactured by Kenafric Industries transferred to M/S Glorre International Limited on concern that the manufacturing process does not exceed the provisions in Rule 7 of the EAC Rules of Origin, 2015. Kenya NMC suggests that the process involves the use of machinery and technical expertise. Therefore, the process of manufacturing chewing gum exceeds the provisions under Rule 7 of the EAC rules of origin. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
The 38th RMC was informed by the Republic of Kenya that the NTB was resolved |
|
|
NTB-001-234 |
2.2. Arbitrary customs classification |
2025-01-20 |
Botswana: Tlokweng Gate |
South Africa |
Resolved
2025-05-27 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
We are a small female-owned company based in Gaborone, Botswana that manufactures small leather goods, mostly for corporates, government and individuals. Our team consists of 5 female employees with 4 full time and 1 on contractual basis. We import our raw material (which is mostly finished leather) from South Africa. We have been importing our material since 2019, however, since 2021 we have been facing a challenge of our raw materials being misclassified. we import finished leather products which is not subjected to Veterinary requirements since it is a finished product. However, we are subjected to go through veterinary regulations which causes delays and confusions on the applicable regulations. We request the proper application of regulations be applied when dealing with our product. The veterinary processes must be done away if there are not applicable.
Our company imports material about 3 times a month from South Africa, with a total average of 3200 dm of finished leather. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
A virtual meeting was held on the 29th of April, 2025, between Customs Services(External Eelations & Classification office), the Tlokweng Border Post Manager, Ministry of Trade officials, SADC officials, and the trader to learn more about the trader's challenge. The trader was given the contact details of the Tlokweng Border Manager for assistance in case she faces similar challenges in the future. |
|
|
Products:
|
4113.20: Leather further prepared after tanning or crusting "incl. parchment-dressed leather", of pigs, without hair on, whether or not split (excl. chamois leather, patent leather and patent laminated leather, and metallised leather) |
|
|
NTB-001-238 |
1.11. Occupational safety and health regulation |
2025-02-16 |
South Africa: Beit Bridge |
Zimbabwe |
Resolved
2026-02-02 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Our delivery truck (ADS 3378, AFQ 8744, AFQ 8746) destined for South Africa was detained at Beitbridge border post last night by South Africa Port Health authorities due to concerns regarding a cholera outbreak in Zimbabwe and the potential risk of contamination in the water. |
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|
Resolution status note:
|
The Public Health concern has since been uplifted and a number of consignments of purified water have been allowed to enter the South African market. |
|
|
NTB-001-240 |
1.1. Export subsidies |
2024-11-01 |
Kenya: Kenya Diary Board (KDB) |
Uganda |
Resolved
2025-05-30 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
The Government of Kenya, through the Kenya Dairy Board (KDB), has not issued export permits for Ultra-High Temperature (UHT) milk destined for Kenya since November 2024. This action constitutes a violation of the East African Community (EAC) Common Market Protocol and the Non-Tariff Barrier (NTB) Act, which is designed to facilitate the free movement of goods within the region.
The continued restriction has had severe consequences for Ugandan traders, leading to significant financial losses and, in many cases, the closure of their export businesses. This situation not only undermines regional trade commitments but also disrupts economic integration efforts within the EAC. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
Kenya informed the 38th RMC that:
1. Transfers of milk from Uganda to Kenya is ongoing
2. 10 million litres of milk were transferred from Uganda to Kenya between January and March 2025
3. 70 million Kgs have been transferred from Uganda to Kenya in 2024, and 67 million Litres transferred in the same period.
4. Kenya has no quotas on milk, and over 100 importers have been registered to transfer milk from Uganda to Kenya
5. Issued permits for milk if not absorbed effectively, do not allow for extension as per the regulations.
Kenya confirmed that the applications for the permits applied in November 2024 by Uganda were issued in March 2025 and provided evidence to Uganda for that matter. Hence, the NTB was resolved |
|
|
NTB-001-241 |
7.6. Lack of information on procedures (or changes thereof) |
2025-03-06 |
Kenya: Mandera |
Kenya |
Resolved
2025-05-30 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Tanzania Revenue Authority officers do not seem to have RECTS seals, therefore, demanding for facilitation from transporters. The facilitation includes, Per diem, incidental allowance, in transit allowance and fuel for the government vehicles. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
The meeting noted that the complaint was administrative and should be referred to the Committee on Customs for consideration
The meeting noted that the trader did not pay the amount requested of them.
The NTB was referred to SCOC for consideration and resolution |
|
|
Products:
|
6117.90: Parts of garments or clothing accessories, knitted or crocheted, n.e.s. |
|
|
NTB-001-246 |
2.3. Issues related to the rules of origin |
2024-11-01 |
Tanzania: Ministry of Agriculture |
Uganda |
Resolved
2025-11-25 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Quantitative restrictions on Ugandan Sugar transfers to Tanzania only up to 20,000 MT, are accepted
These Quotas have been subject to bilateral negotiations to allow market access for Uganda Sugar.
We request that Tanzania to remove quantitative restrictions. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
Tanzania removed all restrictions related to Sugar from the Community. The two Partner States to trade in normal EAC terms. |
|
|
NTB-001-248 |
8.2. Administrative (Border Operating Hours, delays at border posts, etc.) |
2024-11-01 |
Kenya: Diary board |
Uganda |
Resolved
2025-05-30 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Delays in issuance of import permits for milk
Permits take up to 5 months with no communication |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
The meeting noted that the NTB issue had been resolved.
Uganda requested Kenya to fast-track the issuance of milk import permits. Kenya is committed to issuing permits timely manner |
|
|
NTB-001-249 |
6.5. Variable levies |
2025-02-04 |
Kenya: KRA |
Uganda |
Resolved
2025-11-25 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Excise duty being charged on onions, potatoes, potato crisps and potato chips transferred from Uganda to Kenya.
This means they are being treated as imports. This was effective 1st July 2022, at a rate of 25% imposed against the EAC CUP.
Kenya is requested to consider removing the excise duty with immediate effect |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
Uganda submitted that the discriminatory Law was repealed through the Finance amendment Act of 2025. |
|
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