| Complaint number |
NTB Type
|
Date of incident |
Location |
Reporting country or region (additional) |
Status |
Actions |
|
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. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
Botswana provided the Statutory Instrument for clarity, So the NTB is resolved |
|
|
NTB-001-065 |
5.3. Export taxes |
2022-04-01 |
Botswana: Ministry of Finance |
South Africa |
Resolved
2023-10-05 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Botswana government is about to introduce the Tax Stamps on all imported products and that would affect the South African Wine Industry. The Tax Stamp imposition has been confirmed by the Botswana Minister of Finance and they have appointed the Service Provide that would conduct a Research. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
The NTB BW NCP has provided the legal instruments gazetted by the BW Government on the matter. |
|
|
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. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
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. |
|
|
Products:
|
0901: Coffee, whether or not roasted or decaffeinated; coffee husks and skins; coffee substitutes containing coffee in any proportion. |
|
|
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. |
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|
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-001-293 |
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. |
|
|
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. |
|
|
NTB-001-294 |
1.14. Lack of coordination between government institutions |
2025-10-28 |
Botswana: Tlokweng Gate |
Botswana |
Resolved
2026-01-16 |
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:
|
The NTB can be considered resolved, taking into account the update provided by the Botswana NCP, with the BOBS information attached. |
|
|
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. |
|
|
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. |
|
|
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. |
|
|
NTB-000-053 |
2.3. Issues related to the rules of origin |
2009-01-21 |
Burundi: Ministry of Trade |
Eswatini |
Resolved
2010-11-22 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Refuse to offer a minimum reduction of 60% on standard importatiion of sugar from Swaziland as agreed.
Burundian Customs are claiming that Swaziland is not a member of COMESA. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
Issue was resolved by the COMESA Customs and Trade Committee |
|
|
NTB-000-445 |
2.8. Lengthy and costly customs clearance procedures |
2011-09-02 |
Burundi: Revenue Authority |
Tanzania |
Resolved
2012-04-26 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Burundi customs system does not interface within the customs’ systems in the Revenue Authorities in Partner States |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
Burundi and Rwanda NMC consultations held during the 3rd meeting of the Tripartite NTBs Focal Points and NMC Chairs in Dar-es-salaam on 19-20 April 2012 concluded that the issue had been resolved after Rwanda bureau of standards recognised that Burundi water meets international standards. |
|
|
NTB-000-529 |
1.8. Import bans |
2012-08-08 |
Burundi: National Police |
Rwanda |
Resolved
2013-10-16 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Ban on import of fresh fruits from Burundi to Rwanda |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
On 16 October 2013, Burundi Focal Point reported that, at the 12th EAC Regional Forum on NTBs held on 14th– 17th October, 2013 in Arusha, Tanzania, Rwanda reported that Burundi had lifted the ban. Therefore the NTB was resolved |
|
|
NTB-000-912 |
2.3. Issues related to the rules of origin
Policy/Regulatory |
2019-09-10 |
Burundi: Bujumbura Port |
Tanzania |
Resolved
2021-04-05 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Republic of Burundi has denied preferential treatment of MS -Plate (Iron sheet) produced by ALAF Company in Tanzania. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
During the NMC meeting, held in April 2021, the meeting was informed that the NTB was Resolved. |
|
|
NTB-000-952 |
1.7. Discriminatory or flawed government procurement policies
Policy/Regulatory |
2020-03-20 |
Burundi: Ministry of Trade, Industry and Tourism |
Tanzania |
Resolved
2020-09-01 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Disrimination and denial of Market Access for salt in Burundi.
There was a survey carried by Ministry incharge of Public Health in 2018 in relation to the consumption of salt, that the result revealed that only 52% of Burundians consume adequately iodized salt. On the basis of this survey the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Tourism has taken measures to authorize and license four trading companies as importers of adequately iodized packaged with an iodization rate of between 30 and 60ppm and provided with a certificate of conformity from Standards Bureau of the importing country. The companies authorized and approved by Ministry to import salt in Burundi are the followings;
1. Ubuntu Investment company
2. Geprotus
3. Gitega Business Centre
4. Burundi Import (BIMPO)
No other company or individual is authorized to import and market food salt without the authorization of the Minister in-charge of trade. The issue is the government of Burundi is discriminating other companies to import salt in Burundi. This is against EAC rules and procedures, if the issue is standard of salt there is mutual recognition concerning standard in EAC as per SQMT Act 2016.
|
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
During the RMC meeting held on 1 September 2020, Burundi reported that an official letter of the Ministry of Trade informing that the measure reducing the number of companies importing cooking salt has been removed. Now the economic operators in the salt trade are authorized and encouraged to do so in strict compliance with the law. The letter specifies however that the imported cooking salt must be a finished product, crushed, cleaned, dried and packaged, adequately iodized and provided with a certificate of conformity from the office of Standard of the import country. |
|
|
NTB-000-256 |
2.8. Lengthy and costly customs clearance procedures |
2009-09-08 |
Democratic Republic of the Congo: Kasumbalesa |
Namibia |
Resolved
2016-10-07 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
DRC customs, cause problems on road transport through delaying trucks to depart on time to Lubumbashi |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
FESARTA reported that the NTB does not exist at present. |
|
|
NTB-000-379 |
8.7. Costly Road user charges /fees
Policy/Regulatory |
2010-02-19 |
Democratic Republic of the Congo: Kasumbalesa |
Namibia |
Resolved
2016-10-07 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
DRC is charging exorbitant fees which are not in line with SADC and COMESA harmonized fees.From 01/02/10 DRC did not reduce their tolls they instead greatly increases
them. Road tolls in DRC are about 15 ( 1500 % ) times greater than the SADC
recommended. Today a foreign transporter entering DRC at Kasumbalesa going to Tenke
Fungurume mine ( 300 kms each way ) is subject to the following tolls and
fees (distance of 300 kms into DRC and 300 kms out of DRC): Road toll Kasumbalesa/Lubumbashi return $ 300 ; Road tolls Lubumbashi/Likasi return $ 300; Road tolls Likasi/Tenke return $ 150 ; Government tax $ 50 ; Fumigation Fees $ 50 ; Card entry $ 15 ; Tourism/Vaccination fees $ 35 ; Visa for truck $ 25 ; Break bulk fees $ 20. Total cost to the transporter in Fees and Tolls is $ 945. That works out at $
157.5 per 100 kms. The SADC agreed is $ 10 per 100 kms. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
FESARTA reported that the NTB does not exist at present. |
|
|
NTB-000-304 |
2.14. Other |
2009-09-09 |
Democratic Republic of the Congo: Kasumbalesa |
Democratic Republic of the Congo |
Resolved
2010-12-02 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Lack of knowledge of regulations by customs officials |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
DRC is participating in the SADC Customs Management project where by the customs officials are now actively involved in regional matters. |
|
|
NTB-000-307 |
2.10. Inadequate or unreasonable customs procedures and charges |
2009-09-09 |
Democratic Republic of the Congo: Kasumbalesa |
Democratic Republic of the Congo |
Resolved
2010-12-02 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Limited knowledge of customs procedures and documentation therefore officials impose arbitrary requirements at border posts |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
DRC is actively participating inthe SADC Customs Cooperation Committee thereby increasing knowledge of customs procedures and requirements |
|
|
NTB-000-309 |
5.3. Export taxes
Policy/Regulatory |
2009-09-09 |
Democratic Republic of the Congo: Ministry of Trade |
Democratic Republic of the Congo |
Resolved
2010-07-30 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Export duty is levied on timber. |
|
|
NTB-000-311 |
8.7. Costly Road user charges /fees
Policy/Regulatory |
2009-09-09 |
Democratic Republic of the Congo: Ministry of trade |
Democratic Republic of the Congo |
Resolved
2010-07-30 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
High road charges and transport costs for exporters |
|
|
NTB-000-358 |
2.8. Lengthy and costly customs clearance procedures |
2010-02-10 |
Democratic Republic of the Congo: Ministry of Trade |
Tanzania |
Resolved
2023-02-20 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
The process of obtaining DRC Ogeframe certificate delays cargo at the port and increases costs. Procedure is too long as it involves exporter paying fees at Tanzania Revenue Authority in DAr es Salaam Office and then take the document for endorsement by DRC. This is applicable only to transit goods to DRC. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
Member States agreed to resolve on the strength that no complaints had been received . |
|
|
NTB-000-425 |
8.7. Costly Road user charges /fees
Policy/Regulatory |
2011-07-21 |
Democratic Republic of the Congo: Kasumbalesa |
South Africa |
Resolved
2016-10-07 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
DRC transit charges are too exhorbitant. For example, a truck delivering to Tenke, will have to pay $340 + 750 + 125 + 125 = $1340 for one return trip.That is, providing the truck doesn’t wait more than one day at the Zambian border.
There have been many complaints about it, but little seems to be done. There are ongoing efforts by the RFA and other stakeholders to get the toll fees as low as possible yielded some positive resulted in a once off reduction of the fees which still are too high. Each trip through Kasumbalesa to Lubumbashi costs a staggering US$ 125.There is need for transparency and fair toll fees at regional level. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
FESARTA reported that the NTB does not exist at present. |
|
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