| Complaint number |
NTB Type
Check allUncheck all |
Date of incident |
Location |
Reporting country or region (additional) |
Status |
Actions |
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NTB-000-750 |
8.8. Issues related to transit |
2017-03-01 |
Zambia: On the road |
Zambia |
Resolved 2018-01-25 |
View |
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Complaint:
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There are approximately 600 hundreds trucks ferrying "mukula" logs legally from DRCongo. The loads had genuine documents from Congo and the trucks were checked at kasumbalesa border upon entry to Zambian soil.
We understand that Zambia banned mukula harvesting within its territories but the activity is not banned in Congo. it is unfortunate that the trucks from Tanzania underwent the legal custom check at the border only to be impounded through an impromptu statutory instrument. The drivers and their drivers have been living under deplorable condition with their employing companies not only going through loss by way of their trucks staying idle but also through regular upkeep of their employees.
It also unfortunate that after impounding the said trucks, the relevant authorities in Zambian kept quiet. No meaningful willingness to resolve the issue has been portrayed by the relevant authorities in question. Going by SADC protocol on transit/transportation protocol there is evidence of breach/contravention of the same.
We wish to see a quick resolution of the matter to mitigate the pangs of the losses companies are making and hence the respective governments from which the same operates under.
We do need each other and we'll always need each other owing the same to globalization. |
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Resolution status note:
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On 25 January 2018, Zambia Focal Point reported that all 600 trucks had been released. The last 15 were released in September 2017. Attached is the statutory instrument prohibiting the exportation of certain forestry products. Therefore, this NTB should was resolved. |
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NTB-000-747 |
8.8. Issues related to transit |
2017-05-03 |
Zambia: Several Locations in Zambia |
South Africa |
Resolved 2019-08-21 |
View |
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Complaint:
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There are plus minus 540 trucks loaded with Mukula Wood which were loaded in the DRC, impounded by the Zambian Government in Zambia.
There is another plus minus 600 trucks still on the DRC side which have been refused entry through Zambia. These 540 trucks impounded in Zambia have been there for approximately 60 to 70 days in all different areas of the country, in the middle of the bush without any water, sanitation or access to supplies.
There has already been incidence of drivers having to leave their trucks in critical condition with malaria and other drivers with diabetes that have run out of medication, as well as a driver who suffered a stroke this morning at Kafue.
The goods were loaded in Lubambashi and other areas in the DRC and the wood is in transit through Zambia to various Ports in Namibia, South Africa, Tanzania and Mozambique.
No Seizure Notices of any sort have been given to the drivers, they trucks were impounded by the Zambian National Services and according to them it comes from the top and their hands are tied.
Last week Friday 28 April, a contingent of around 28 transporters and exporters from the DRC met with the Zambian Director of Lands to try and resolve this matter and after discussion, he informed us that there were two teams travelling around the country to verify the cargoes and endeavour to get them released.
After this meeting we met with the Permanent Secretary’s Office in Lusaka and demanded a meeting. Whereafter, we had a consultation lasting approximately 1.5 hours. The Secretary assured us that two teams had been appointed to the task of travelling around Zambia with the aim of releasing the impounded vehicles.
We brought to his attention the inhumane conditions in which these drivers have been detained and although he empathized he didn’t seem overly concerned about their plight.
On the same day, Friday a team had to be rushed to Nkonde Border between Zambia and Tanzania where there were about 110 trucks stuck on the Zambian side as Tanzania had temporarily closed the border due to the discontent on the drivers. The Secretary told us these trucks would be released the same day but until now, nothing has happened and the trucks are still there.
The 180 trucks stuck at the Kasumbalesa Border between DRC and Zambia on the Zambian side which were inspected and verified on Sunday are still stuck there and no one has been released and ZNS are not telling the drivers why they have not been released.
We estimate that there is in the region of 80-90 South Africa trucks being detained and the rest comprise of Zambian, Tanzanian, Botswana and Namibia trucks.
As you can imagine this has caused chaos with the Transporters as the banks are not getting paid and people are losing their businesses because of the dire situation. We need urgent intervention to prevent any further destruction of our businesses and the welfare of our drivers.
We have this minute been informed by drivers on the Zambian/Tanzania Border on the Zambian Side, that plus minus 250 trucks have been locked and surrounded by the Zambian Army and the drivers told to go home until further notice.
NOT ONE TRUCK HAS BEEN ALLOWED TO LEAVE. |
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Resolution status note:
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During the meeting of NTB Focal Points held on 19- 21 august 2019, Zambia Focal point confirmed the report that All 600 trucks had been released. The last 15 were released in September 2017. Attached is the statutory instrument prohibiting the exportation of certain forestry products. |
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NTB-000-715 |
2.6. Additional taxes and other charges Policy/Regulatory |
2016-06-30 |
Tanzania: Ministry of Envinronment |
Kenya |
Resolved 2016-12-06 |
View |
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Complaint:
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Tanzania authority requires that heat treated wooden pallets be fumigated again at the Border, failure of which they charge penalties. |
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Resolution status note:
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At the 22nd EAC NTB Forum held in December 2016, Kenya reported that Tanzania Revenue Authority had lifted the requirement that heat treated wooden pallets be
fumigated again at the Border, failure of which they charge penalties. |
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NTB-000-707 |
2.3. Issues related to the rules of origin Policy/Regulatory |
2016-05-04 |
Rwanda: Rwanda Revenue Authority |
Tanzania |
Resolved 2017-05-06 |
View |
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Complaint:
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Rwanda does not give preferential treatment for rice originating from Tanzania as per the requirement of the EAC Rules of origin |
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Resolution status note:
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During the 23rd Meeting of the EAC NTBs Forum held from 4- 6 MAy 2017 in Kampala, Rwanda reported that she was now according preferential treatment to Rice imported from Tanzania |
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NTB-000-703 |
2.8. Lengthy and costly customs clearance procedures |
2015-11-10 |
Tanzania: Tanzania Revenue Authority |
Kenya |
Resolved 2018-11-16 |
View |
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Complaint:
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Single Customs Territory (SCT) export documents processing in Tanzania are taking longer up to 10 days to be cleared instead of 3 days. |
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Resolution status note:
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During the SCTIFI in November, 2018, the meeting was informed that TRA requires a Bonded Transportation document (BT) to control movement of cargo. Currently, there is no linkage between the BT and the exit note. TRA ICT experts are expected to resolve the matter by 9th November 2018. The meeting agreed that this is a single customs territory (SCT) matter and not an NTB. Hence the NTB was Resolved. |
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NTB-000-702 |
2.3. Issues related to the rules of origin |
2015-09-17 |
Tanzania: National Environment Management |
Rwanda |
Resolved 2018-05-12 |
View |
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Complaint:
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Delays in issuance of certificates by Tanzania’s NEMA (National Environmental management Authority) which has the validity for three months. It also takes three months to renew the certificate that allows Bralirwa Ltd to export broken glasses and bottles to Dar es Salaam to be recycled by KIOO Ltd.
Reported in 2015.
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Resolution status note:
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During the 25th EAC NTBs Forum held on 9- 12 May 2018, URT and Rwanda reported that this issue hadbeen resolved. |
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NTB-000-701 |
6.5. Variable levies Policy/Regulatory |
2015-07-15 |
Tanzania: Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment |
Kenya |
Resolved 2017-10-24 |
View |
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Complaint:
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United Republic of Tanzania has introduced a railway development levy of 1.5 per cent for imports from Kenya.
Reported in 2015. |
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Resolution status note:
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The EAC NTBs Focal Point reported that the NTB had been resolved by the meeting of the Dedicate Session of Senior Officials held in Kampala from 21st - 24th October 2017 |
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NTB-000-680 |
2.3. Issues related to the rules of origin Policy/Regulatory |
2015-09-04 |
Tanzania: Namanga |
Kenya |
Resolved 2016-04-29 |
View |
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Complaint:
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General Motors East Africa sold some vehicles to its dealer in Tanzania which vehicles were charged duty, despite the provisions of the rules of origin which qualify vehicles assembled from CKD as local products and should be sold free of duty within EAC. The Rules of Origin were gazette on the 23rd day of January 2015 and they are fully operational. This is a clear violation of the EAC Rules of Origin. Copies of the EAC Certificate of Origin, the Commercial invoice, the Import Duty Assessment Document & the Import Duty Payment Note for four vehicles that were charged duty at the Namanga border are available for scrutiny if required. We sought an explanation from the Tanzania Revenue Authority but they have not given a substantial explanation except that, in their opinion the rules take effect from October this year |
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Resolution status note:
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The new EAC rules became fully operational in Tanzania at the end of April 2016 and the the operational manuals were circulated to all borders. The vehicles qualifies for preferential treatment under the new rules. This issue was considered resolved during EAC 20th NTBs Forum |
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NTB-000-670 |
8.6. Vehicle standards |
2015-05-08 |
Tanzania: Tunduma |
South Africa |
Resolved 2026-04-15 |
View |
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Complaint:
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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:
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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-000-669 |
8.3. Immigration requirements (Visa, travel permit) Policy/Regulatory |
2014-09-02 |
Tanzania: Immigration |
Kenya |
Resolved 2016-06-30 |
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Complaint:
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Delay of issuance of work permit by United Republic of Tanzania |
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Resolution status note:
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The issue is not about integrating the permits but the 'delays' in issuing the permit. This anomaly can be corrected. Focal points need to get more information on the nature of Delay. At the Tanzania NMC meeting, Immigration reported that the work permits are processed within 14 days maximum if all information is provided. |
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NTB-000-664 |
3. Technical barriers to trade (TBT) B3: Labelling, Marking and Packaging requirements Policy/Regulatory |
2013-01-01 |
Tanzania: Tunduma |
Burundi |
Resolved 2015-11-09 |
View |
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Complaint:
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TFDA is imposing new requirements on export of BRARUDI beers into Tanzania. TFDA is requesting new labels to include additional information and storage condition for the product that was not required when they submitted the application for export. |
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Resolution status note:
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Burundi reported that TFDA had finally registered Burundi beers and that the company had received its certificate of registration. |
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NTB-000-657 |
5.15. Other Policy/Regulatory |
2014-12-11 |
Tanzania: Various State Agencies |
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Resolved 2023-07-03 |
View |
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Complaint:
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Numerous monetary charges required by various agencies in the United Republic of Tanzania on exports of dairy products |
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Resolution status note:
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The 42nd SCTIFI noted that the Republic of Uganda and the Republic of Kenya are handling the diary issues bilaterally with the United Republic of Tanzania whereby several meetings at the Ministerial and Summit levels have taken place and are at the final stages to be resolved. Also, the issue is being handled in the ongoing process of harmonization of fees, levies, and charges, and all the charges will be harmonized together with other charges. The SCTIFI hence guided that the NTB should be removed from the Time Bound program and allow the ongoing bilateral processes to be finalized. |
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NTB-000-654 |
2.3. Issues related to the rules of origin |
2014-12-11 |
Uganda: Mutukula |
Tanzania |
Resolved 2015-12-15 |
View |
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Complaint:
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Rwanda and Uganda have not accorded preferential treatment on exports of rice from Tanzania through Rusumo and Mutukula borders respectively. |
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Resolution status note:
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On 21st December 2015, Uganda Focal Point reported that Uganda was now according preferential treatment for rice originating from Tanzania. This NTBis therefore resolved |
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NTB-000-653 |
3. Technical barriers to trade (TBT) B15: Authorization requirements for importers Policy/Regulatory |
2014-12-11 |
Tanzania: Tanzania Food and Drugs Authority |
Kenya |
Resolved 2019-08-21 |
View |
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Complaint:
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Requirement by Tanzania Food and Drugs Authority for companies exporting to URT to register, re-label, and retesting of certified EAC products exported by other Partner States Reported in 2003. |
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Resolution status note:
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During the meeting of the NTBs Focal Points held from 19- 21 august 2019 , Tanzania reported that TFDA was disbanded therefore the requirements are no longer enforced . |
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NTB-000-651 |
8.8. Issues related to transit |
2014-12-11 |
Tanzania: Along Central corridor |
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Resolved 2016-06-30 |
View |
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Complaint:
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Tanzania has several weigh bridge stations along the central corridor |
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Resolution status note:
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At the 21st EAC NTBs Regional Forum , Tanzania reported that the NTB had been resolved because there are only three weigh bridges Vigwaza at the coastal region, Njuki in Singida and Nyakahura in Kagera region weigh in motion weighbridges. It takes maximum of 4 days to exit the border from Dar Port and 2 days for fuel tankers. |
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NTB-000-649 |
8.7. Costly Road user charges /fees Policy/Regulatory |
2014-12-11 |
Tanzania: Ministry of Transport |
Burundi |
Resolved 2015-11-30 |
View |
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Complaint:
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United Republic of Tanzania is charging USD200.00 as transit permit for containers with chemical products. |
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Resolution status note:
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Following the recommendations of the 16th EAC Forum on NTBs, Tanzania removed the transit charges . |
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NTB-000-647 |
8.7. Costly Road user charges /fees Policy/Regulatory |
2014-12-11 |
Tanzania: Tanzania National Park |
Rwanda |
Resolved 2015-11-04 |
View |
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Complaint:
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Tanzania National Park charges Rwanda transporters transiting through the national park US$300 per truck as national park fees . |
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Resolution status note:
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Tanzania National Park is no longer charging Rwanda transporters transiting through the national park US$300 per truck as national park fees |
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NTB-000-643 |
2.6. Additional taxes and other charges |
2014-12-09 |
Tanzania: Dar-es-Salaam Port |
Burundi |
Resolved 2015-03-26 |
View |
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Complaint:
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Tanzania Ports Authority is charging all Transit containers located at at Tanzania International Container Terminal Services (TICTS) a miscellaneous Port Charges. On 05 June 2014, a transporter from Burundi was charged US$90 being for miscellaneous port services for a 20ft container |
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Resolution status note:
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At the 16th EAC regional forum on non tariff barriers held in Kigali in December 2014, Tanzania reported that the double handling charges were abolished. This NTB is therefore resolved. |
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NTB-000-643 |
2.6. Additional taxes and other charges |
2014-12-09 |
Tanzania: Dar-es-Salaam Port |
Burundi |
Resolved 2015-03-26 |
View |
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Complaint:
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Tanzania Ports Authority is charging all Transit containers located at at Tanzania International Container Terminal Services (TICTS) a miscellaneous Port Charges. On 05 June 2014, a transporter from Burundi was charged US$90 being for miscellaneous port services for a 20ft container |
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Resolution status note:
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At the 17th NTB forum held in Nairobi on 24th to 26th March 2015, Tanzania confirmed that these charges were no longer applicable and therefore the NTB was resolved. |
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NTB-000-642 |
2.9. Issues related to transit fees |
2014-12-09 |
Tanzania: Dar-es-Salaam Port |
Burundi |
Resolved 2014-12-11 |
View |
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Complaint:
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The United Republic of Tanzania via the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare is charging USD200 as registration fee for transit permit on each transit container which contain which contain Chemical products. |
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Resolution status note:
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At the 16th EAC regional forum on non tariff barriers held in Kigali in December 2014, Tanzania reported that the levy was abolished in 2012.This NTB is therefore resolved. |
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