| Complaint number |
NTB Type
|
Date of incident |
Location |
Reporting country or region (additional) |
Status |
Actions |
|
NTB-001-294 |
1.14. Lack of coordination between government institutions |
2025-10-28 |
Botswana: Tlokweng Gate |
Botswana |
Resolved
2026-01-22 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
BOBS Division Closing their service times during Holidays, weekends and festive days while Cross-border traders and Borders run through out. We urge that there be service aligned with all borders operating times and services. Consignments are then detained until their working times. we then loose revenue, standing times, conditions or goods be affected and further be exposed to risks. |
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Resolution status note:
|
BOBS sent a letter tot eh Permanent Secretary , explaining that BOBS operates from 07:45 to 17:00, Monday to Friday, and does not currently operate on a shift basis. Nevertheless, efforts are made to assist clients outside normal working hours. During periods when BOBS offices are closed, including public holidays and the Christmas shutdown, a designated BOBS team remains available to handle urgent matters such as processing applications and resolving border-related issues, including cases involving products that do not require BOBS permits.
To minimize delays at border posts, BOBS shares a list of designated officers with BURS Officers-in-Charge at various border points. This coordination ensures that matters requiring BOBS attention are addressed promptly, thereby facilitating smoother border clearance and reducing disruptions to trade. |
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NTB-001-364 |
4. Sanitary & phyto-sanitary (SPS) measures
A1: Prohibitions/restrictions of imports for SPS reasons |
2026-01-07 |
Kenya: |
Ethiopia |
Resolved
2026-06-23 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Ethiopian maize quality standards are not accepted in Kenya, requiring additional conformity assessment. This has resulted for an extra costs of approximately 44,000 Kenyan Shillings per consignment, increasing the cost of doing business. |
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Resolution status note:
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Kenya border officials reported that all consignments including maize, are subject to standard clearance procedures and are subject to regular fees. Kenya therefore requests Ethiopia provide evidence to support the claim. |
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NTB-001-350 |
1.7. Discriminatory or flawed government procurement policies |
2026-02-02 |
Rwanda: RRA |
Kenya |
Resolved
2026-05-07 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Introduction of discriminative excise duties of 35% by Rwanda to Kenya confectionary, not subjected to local manufacturers in Rwanda. |
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Resolution status note:
|
During the 40th RMC Kenya informed the meeting that the Excise duty was removed and NTB was resolved. |
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NTB-001-331 |
3. Technical barriers to trade (TBT)
B1: Import authorization/licensing related to technical barriers to trade |
2026-02-07 |
Kenya: Namanga |
Tanzania |
Resolved
2026-04-03 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Alphakrust who trade prawns and squid into Kenya market was charged KSH 6,050.00 per consignment as inspection fee, while the product is certified by Tanzania Bureau of Standard (TBS) and has been marked with notified mark as per EAC product certification regulations. The fee is contrary to the requirements of the EAC SQMT Act. |
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Resolution status note:
|
The charges were addressed and the refund process has already been initiated and is currently in progress. |
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Products:
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0306.17: Frozen shrimps and prawns, even smoked, whether in shell or not, incl. shrimps and prawns in shell, cooked by steaming or by boiling in water (excl. cold-water shrimps and prawns) |
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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:
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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:
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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-001-360 |
2.4. Import licensing |
2026-03-01 |
South Sudan: Nimule |
Uganda |
Resolved
2026-06-04 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
The implementation of electronic permits (e-permits) and related electronic cargo tracking for goods entering South Sudan from Uganda has led to significant delyas and costs to traders eg Over 1,000 trucks are currently stranded at the Nimule border due to challenges with the e-permit system such as additional charges, and slow processing. On the same issue,there are complaints of Extortion.Truck drivers have reported that some officials refuse electronic payments and instead demand cash, leading to corruption and higher, unofficial fees. |
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Resolution status note:
|
During the 48th SCTIFI, the two Partner States agreed that the NTB is resolved, and any other pending issues will be resolved bilaterally. |
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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. |
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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. |
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NTB-001-353 |
5.14. Restrictive licenses |
2026-04-10 |
Rwanda: Rwanda FDA |
Kenya |
Resolved
2026-09-16 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
wanda FDA is subjecting Kenya products to costly charges for re-testing and registration of the products despite the products being certified by the Kenya bureau of standards with valid standardization mark.
The two products include ace pine fresh and ace citrus fresh liquid toilet cleaners. Rwanda FDA informed that the certifications for the two products had been revoked on the basis that they allegedly contained Nonyl Phenol despite successfully applying for and receiving product registrations from Rwanda FDA under certificates Rwanda FDA‑ADP‑MA‑0070 and Rwanda FDA‑ADP‑MA‑0072. Further the manufacturer confirmed they not using Nonyl Phenol
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Resolution status note:
|
The two Partner States agreed that the NTB be resolved, because there will no retesting of Ace Pine Fresh and Ave Pine Citrus toilet cleaners once certified by KEBs |
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NTB-001-356 |
1.14. Lack of coordination between government institutions |
2026-04-15 |
Zimbabwe: Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport |
Zimbabwe |
Resolved
2026-06-30 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Zimbabwe's on line COMESA system has been down since September last year. This has resulted in exporters facing some challenges in producing online COMESA certificates. We did a shipment to Tunisia and had to fill in a new COMESA certificate on a PDF format printed from the computer. This resulted in Tunisian customs rejecting this document claiming that it doesn't have a serial number, therefore its not authentic, even though it was stamped and signed by ZIM customs (ZIMRA). We notified our authorities of the ordeal, and they confirmed that the system was still being rectified. To bail out the situation ZIMRA confirmed that it would contact the Tunisian customs and clarify the prevailing issue currently in Zimbabwe with regards to the on line COMESA certificates. Our market in Tunisia is still facing some clearance problems cause of this incident. We understand that Tunisian customs, wants to resend back the shipment to Zimbabwe at our cost as the shipper. We hereby seek your intervention with regards to this matter. We are dealing with Horticultural fresh and dried produce. Tunisia has proved to be a reliable market, considering the COMESA trade agreements and both countries being member states. We look forward to your earliest response towards in solving our issue. Currently our client is exposed to USD500.00 storage fees per day. |
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Resolution status note:
|
During the 11th Meeting of the Trade an Trade Facilitation Sub Committee , Tunisia and Zimbabwe reported that the matter had been resolved . |
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Products:
|
0802.90: Nuts, fresh or dried, whether or not shelled or peeled (excl. coconuts, Brazil nuts, cashew nuts, almonds, hazelnuts, filberts, walnuts, chestnuts, pistachios, macadamia nuts, kola nuts and areca nuts) |
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NTB-001-386 |
2.3. Issues related to the rules of origin |
2026-07-22 |
Tanzania: Weights and Measures Agency |
Uganda |
Resolved
2026-09-16 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
The United Republic of Tanzania, through the Weights and Measures Agency, is undertaking the impounding and re-verification of Ugandan-manufactured roofing sheets, particularly ordinary corrugated AZED G32 (0.20mm) × 3m roofing sheets.
This matter requires urgent intervention, as it has the potential to establish a precedent whereby products manufactured in Uganda are subjected to additional verification, inspection, detention and associated charges upon entry into another EAC Partner State, notwithstanding their conformity with applicable standards and certification by the Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS).
The measure may constitute a Non-Tariff Barrier (NTB) and is inconsistent with the EAC framework aimed at facilitating and promoting free and fair trade among Partner States.
Conclusion:
The continued impounding and re-verification of Ugandan roofing sheets may hinder intra-EAC trade by imposing additional regulatory requirements and costs on Ugandan products. The matter therefore warrants urgent engagement with the Tanzanian authorities to establish the basis for the additional verification and seek an amicable resolution in accordance with the EAC trade framework.
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Resolution status note:
|
The matter was discussed bilaterally , and Uganda confirmed that the roofing sheets products are accessing Tanzania market |
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