| Complaint number |
NTB Type
|
Date of incident |
Location |
Reporting country or region (additional) |
Status |
Actions |
|
NTB-000-823 |
2.6. Additional taxes and other charges |
2018-06-01 |
Botswana: BURS |
South Africa |
Resolved
2026-04-15 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Botswana government is imposing daily double tax on imported alcohol beverages to Botswana. The motivation for imposing the excise and not imposing on local manufacturers is that local manufacturers create jobs and have manufacturing plant in the country. It is the Wine Industry submission that wine as a commodity cannot be manufactured in Botswana due to the weather conditions.
SA Wine Companies, pay excise in South Africa and do not expect to pay another excise in Botswana for the very same products. We appeal for the repeal of the Regulations to allow both local and importers to be treated the same. Locals have more competitive edge compared to importers. Furthermore, the methodology as per Regulations is different from what is practically implemented. Enclosed self explanatory email clarifying the differences. Botswana is in breach of the WTO GATT Agreement, Article 34 |
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Resolution status note:
|
The NTB is resolved. This bases on the challenges experienced of contacting the complainant by South Africa. It was then resolved to have the NTB resolved. |
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NTB-001-298 |
7.6. Lack of information on procedures (or changes thereof) |
2025-03-14 |
Zambia: Kazungula Ferry |
Botswana |
Resolved
2026-04-15 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
On the 14th of March 2025 i encountered challenges when crossing to Zambia for business purposes. The immigration officer at the border enquired on the purpose of my visit to Zambia and i informed her that i was travelling for business and requested for a Business Visit (BV) stamp. The officer indicated that BV is only used when someone is travelling to Zambia to sell not to buy as i had intended to go and purchase sweet potatoes. I informed her that we had previously had challenges with law enforcement officers as they insist that whoever is coming to Zambia for business purposes should have a BV stamp not visitors stamp. The officer solicited a bribe amounting to BWP500.00 in order to give me the BV stamp. This contraction of information between immigration officers and the police officers in Zambia cost us as traders lots of money as well as time. It also compromises our safety when we go to Zambia |
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Resolution status note:
|
The issue was resolved during the Bi- National meeting held in February 2026. It was agreed that Zambia will increase number Business Visists from 30 days to 90 days annually. Furthermore, the Travellers are not expected to pay for the Business Visa Stamp. |
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Products:
|
0714.20: Sweet potatoes, fresh, chilled, frozen or dried, whether or not sliced or in the form of pellets |
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NTB-000-982 |
1.4. Preference given to domestic bidders/suppliers |
2020-08-24 |
Botswana: Ministry of Trade and Industry |
Zimbabwe |
Resolved
2026-04-15 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
On 24 August 2020, Botswana’s Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry released a statement that the country would be restricting the importation of baked goods. This will affect products such as pastries, cookies, muffins and other products derived from some form of grain.
The statement was supported by S.I 102 of 2020. The Botswana’s Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry highlighted that the move is meant to protect the domestic producers. |
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Resolution status note:
|
Botswana provided the Statutory Instrument for clarity, So the NTB is resolved |
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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. |
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Resolution status note:
|
Taxes have been abolished |
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NTB-001-014 |
1.6. Domestic assistance programmes for companies
Policy/Regulatory |
2021-03-17 |
South Africa: Rhodes Quality, Cape Town |
Botswana |
Resolved
2026-04-15 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
We are a freight logistics company based in Gaborone, Botswana(100% citizen). During registration on supplies portals in South Africa they require us (Foreign freight logistics companies without branches in South Africa ) to be BBBEE compliant despite we providing them with all company documents verifying that we are foreign based with Head Offices out of South Africa borders. Because of the nature of our business which compels us to conduct cross border transportation, South African supplies would immediately inform us we can't do business with them on the basis of non - compliant on BBBEE requirements. Arrangement in place promotes South African transporters to do cross border and prohibits foreign transporters to haul commodities back to country of operation. Please note we are not issued with any documents as a dispensation on our Head offices out of South African borders.
Kindly assist in the best possible way. |
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Resolution status note:
|
The SADC Regional workshop on NTBs heled on 14-15 April 2026 agreed that the requirement by South Africa for foreign companies to comply by the national investment codes is not a NTB therefore this matter is resolved |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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Resolution status note:
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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 |
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NTB-001-167 |
5.5. Import licensing requirements |
2024-05-16 |
South Africa: All border crossings by road, air or sea |
Namibia |
Resolved
2026-04-15 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Nakara (pty) , a Namibian company formally requests a dispensation from the South African Veterinary (SA VET) import permit required for imports of Namibian finished leather. Nakara (pty) Ltd, a Namibian tannery, has maintained an unblemished record and has never been implicated in any wrongdoing in the past. However, due to the current regulatory framework, we find ourselves inadvertently impacted by the necessity of the SA VET import permit on Namibian leather exports. It is important to note that no other country imposes such a requirement on imports of finished leather into South Africa. South Africa is Nakara's biggest export market and the aforementioned unnecessary NTB puts Nakara into a competitive disadvantage. A disadvantage that hinders further growth in the trade relationship between Namibia and South Africa in the leather sector, both being members of the SADC region. |
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Resolution status note:
|
During the SADC regional NTBs workshop held on 14- 15 April 2026, South Africa focal points reported that there were no restrictions on th importation of leather. The VET department issued permits as per requirement . |
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Products:
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4107.99: Leather "incl. parchment-dressed leather" of the portions, strips or sheets of hides and skins of bovine "incl. buffalo" or equine animals, further prepared after tanning or crusting, without hair on (excl. unsplit full grains leather, grain splits leath |
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NTB-000-670 |
8.6. Vehicle standards |
2015-05-08 |
Tanzania: Tunduma |
South Africa |
Resolved
2026-04-15 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Despite the passing and acceptance of EAC Vehicle Overload Bill of 2012, whereby it states under the Fourth Schedule s.5 (1) (c) - VEHICLE DIMENSIONS, AXLE LOAD CONFIGURATIONS AND VEHICLE COMBINATIONS, that the maximum vehicle combination length permissible is 22 m and which includes and covers the South African designed and developed Interlink combination of 22 m maximum. Tanzania are still insisting on abnormal vehicle permits to be issued to these vehicles on entry into Tanzania at Tunduma Border Post at a cost of US $20 per entry or face heavy penalties including the impounding of vehicles if they are not in posesion of an abnormal permit.
This is in breach of the Bill which has been accepted by all EAC Member Countries including Tanzania and this policy needs to be revoked ASAP. |
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Resolution status note:
|
During the SADC Regional meeting on resolution of NTBs held on 14-15April 2026, it w2as noted that efforts top obtain informtion facilitating resolution of the complaint had not been sucessful therefore the NTB is resolved |
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NTB-001-301 |
8.8. Issues related to transit |
2026-02-19 |
Botswana: all entry points |
Namibia |
Resolved
2026-04-15 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
I am a manufacturer of fully finished furniture leather based in Namibia. My company has historically utilised Botswana as a transit corridor to supply customers in Zimbabwe under the framework of regional trade within SADC.
Following the recent outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) in the region, I have been prevented from using Botswana as a transit country for consignments destined for Zimbabwe. This restriction effectively blocks an established and commercially critical trade route.
Namibia is a recognised FMD-free zone, and all raw materials used in our production originate exclusively from Namibian cattle. Furthermore, the industrial tanning and finishing processes applied to hides—particularly chemical treatment, liming, pickling, chrome tanning, retanning, and finishing—render the survival and transmission of the FMD virus scientifically implausible. Fully finished leather does not constitute a vector for FMD transmission and should therefore be exempt from movement restrictions associated with live animals or untreated animal products.
The inability to transit through Botswana forces us to use alternative routes into Zimbabwe that are substantially more expensive. These additional logistics costs render our trade with Zimbabwe economically unviable and undermine our competitiveness within the region.
As a SADC Member State, Namibia is entitled to the free movement of goods that comply with sanitary and phytosanitary standards. The current transit restriction on fully finished leather constitutes a non-tariff barrier inconsistent with the principles of regional integration and trade facilitation.
If this situation persists, it will have severe commercial and employment consequences. The loss of strategically important customers in Zimbabwe will directly reduce production volumes, which in turn may necessitate workforce reductions. |
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Resolution status note:
|
On 15 April 2026 , the Livestock and Livestock Products Board of Namibia (LLPBN) and DVS Botswana communicated to Botswana Focal Point that the NTB had been resolved. |
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|
Products:
|
4107: Leather further prepared after tanning or crusting, including parchment-dressed leather, of bovine (including buffalo) or equine animals, without hair on, whether or not split, other than leather of heading 41.14. |
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NTB-001-048 |
3. Technical barriers to trade (TBT)
B31: Labelling requirements |
2022-01-03 |
Tanzania: Standards Authority |
South Africa |
Resolved
2026-04-15 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Vague Labelling requirement "Statutory Warning" Clause 12 (k), rejection of the UK Chief Medical Warning which is accepted in other African countries such as Uganda, Kenya without any objection in addition to their requirement. |
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Resolution status note:
|
The labelling dispute previously raised with the Tanzania Bureau of Standards (TBS) has been resolved, and exports currently continue in line with the agreed framework.
However, as exporters to Tanzania, South African producers are required to:
Register with appointed inspection companies
Undergo container inspections at a cost of USD450 per container
Pay annual registration fees, renewable every 12 months. |
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NTB-001-090 |
8.8. Issues related to transit |
2022-10-19 |
Zambia: Katima Mulilo |
Namibia |
Resolved
2026-04-21 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Issuance of exorbitant transit permit fees by the Zambian Government went up from K3700 to K11200 and is only imposed at the Katima Mulilo Border post and not at any other borders around Zambia. The Permit was supposed to only apply to those entering Zambia for the purpose of doing business and not those in transit such as drivers transporting the goods through/via Zambia. the permit is therefore deemed to be discriminatory (no other SADC/COMESA countries are imposing a similar measure)and, the permit hinders the movement of goods as truck drivers are delayed in trying to source money to fund the permit. |
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Resolution status note:
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After a follow-up via email with the complainant, the complainant confirmed that the NTB was resolved. Secretariat is kindly requested to update status of this NTB to resolved. |
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NTB-001-193 |
3. Technical barriers to trade (TBT)
B14: Authorization requirements for importing certain products |
2023-12-10 |
Botswana: Instructions provided to the Rwanda's commercial agent based in Botswana |
Rwanda |
Resolved
2026-04-27 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Requirement by Botswana authority in charge of food imports that Rwanda needs to provide a " Free Sale certificate" prior to exporting coffee to Botswana. The issue is that such certificate is not required in 20 countries where Rwanda is exporting coffee globally. In addition, there is no institution in Rwanda that issues such certification. |
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Resolution status note:
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The requirement for a Certificate of Free Sale (or equivalent official documentation) for coffee imports is a risk-based sanitary measure consistent with the Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures of the World Trade Organization, applied uniformly to ensure imported food is safe and fit for human consumption. Where Rwanda does not issue such certificates, alternative documentation from a competent authority confirming lawful manufacture and marketing is acceptable, ensuring flexibility while maintaining public health protection. |
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Products:
|
0901: Coffee, whether or not roasted or decaffeinated; coffee husks and skins; coffee substitutes containing coffee in any proportion. |
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NTB-001-293 |
2.4. Import licensing |
2025-10-12 |
Botswana: Ministry of Lands and Agriculture |
Botswana |
Resolved
2026-04-23 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Our company is unable to be productive in our business due to shortage of chick supply in the market, caused by delays by the Government (Ministry of Lands and Agriculture) to approve us to import chicks and fertilized eggs for broiler farming. |
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Resolution status note:
|
Botswana reoprted that production has stabilized, supported by capacity expansions within local hatcheries towards the end of 2025.
Currently, there is no widespread shortage of day-old chicks in the market, and supply conditions have improved significantly. In this regard, the reported NTB may no longer be applicable. |
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