| Complaint number |
NTB Type
|
Date of incident |
Location |
Reporting country or region (additional) |
Status |
Actions |
|
NTB-000-006 |
2.12. Lack of capacity of Customs officers |
2004-05-29 |
Egypt: Egypt Revenue Authority |
Uganda |
Resolved
2010-11-22 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Authorisation fees for endorsement of COMESA Certificate of
Origin
Uganda has complained that Egypt authorities require that Certificates of Origin be endorsed by the Egyptian Embassy in Kampala before dispatch of the goods. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
Egypt reported that she does not require consular or Embassy export documentation. A ministerial Decree issued by the Government of Egypt was circulated to all COMESA Member States on March 22 2007. |
|
|
NTB-000-678 |
2.3. Issues related to the rules of origin
Policy/Regulatory |
2011-08-25 |
Egypt: Egyptian Customs Authority - Ministry of Finance |
Kenya |
Resolved
2016-02-08 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Non acceptance of COMESA certificates of origin on mill white sugar, LG Electronics (TV sets) originating from Kenya |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
On 8th February 2016 , Focal Point for Egypt reported that the NTB be considered resolved on the basis of a recommendation from a joint visit on the spot verification for Mill White Sugar and LG products (TV Sets) was undertaken that White sugar & LG Electronics (TV sets) qualify for preferential treatment according to COMESA protocol of ROO. |
|
|
NTB-000-933 |
7.7. Complex variety of documentation required |
2018-10-12 |
Egypt: Port Said Sea Port |
Mauritius |
Resolved
2020-10-08 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
The Egyptian authorities require a number of lengthy and costly documentation for clearance of consignment at customs. The identified cumbersome documentation requirements are as follows:
1. All export documents must be signed and stamped by the exporter's legal representative
2. All export documents must be signed and stamped by the Prime Minister's Office of Mauritius (Apostille requirement)
3. All export documents must be signed and stamped by Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Mauritius (Apostille requirement)
4. All export documents must be signed and stamped by the Egyptian Embassy in Mauritius
5. All export documents must be signed and stamped by the Mauritius Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Some products also require a Certificate of Origin issued by the Mauritius Chamber of Commerce and Industry despite being already accompanied by a COMESA Certificate of Origin. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
During the 5th Meeting of the COMESA Trade and Trade Facilitation Sub Committee held on 6- 8 October , Mauritius reported that the NTB had been resolved |
|
|
NTB-001-058 |
2.3. Issues related to the rules of origin |
2022-03-12 |
Egypt: Egypt Revenue Authority |
Egypt |
Resolved
2023-04-06 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
The Egyptian customs rejected to apply the COMESA certificate of origin issued by Madagascar attached because the signature is different. COMESA Secretariat is therefore requested to check the attached received from the shipper and advise on way forward. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
During the COMESA Workshop on Capacity building for Member States held on 2- 6 April 2023, which reviewed this NTB, Egypt National Focal Point was requested to update status of the rejected consignment which was accompanied by the COMESA Certificate of Origin in the online system. However, on further review, it the meeting recommended that this complaint be regarded as resolved because the COMESA Certificate of Origin in question was not confirmed to be authentic. |
|
|
NTB-001-069 |
7.7. Complex variety of documentation required |
2016-09-15 |
Egypt: Chamber of Commerce
Egyptian Embassy
Ministry of Foreign Trade |
Mauritius |
Resolved
2025-10-08 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
A number of procedural requirements are currently impeding the exports of Mauritian products to Egypt. To that effect, the concerned authorities in Mauritius have made enquiries with a registered trader in Egypt and it has been brought to its attention that for an exporter to start trading with an Egyptian importer, the following documents, duly certified by the Chamber of Commerce and approved by the Embassy of the Arab Republic of Egypt, have to be submitted as per Ministerial Decree 43/2016:
i. A registration form by the legal representative of the factory or authorised person;
ii. A certificate of legal status of the factory and the issued license of the factory;
iii. A list of products of the factory and their brand;
iv. The brand of the product and the Trademark produced according to a license from the owner;
v. A certificate that the factory has a Quality Control System from a recognised body of The International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC) or the International Accreditation Forum (IAF) or from an Egyptian or Foreign Government body approved by the Minister of Foreign Trade.
The authorities in Mauritius consider that these procedural requirements constitute a Non-Tariff Barrier and in that regard contravene Article 49 of the COMESA Treaty.
We would appreciate that the authorities concerned in Egypt review these procedures in order to facilitate trade in line with the spirit of the COMESA Treaty.
|
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
Egypt has approved the accreditation of Mauritius Standards Bureau (MSB) as a government entity to issue quality management system certificates, as required for registration by Ministerial Decree No. 43 of 2016. The NTB can now be marked as 'Resolved' |
|
|
NTB-000-058 |
2.3. Issues related to the rules of origin |
2009-02-09 |
Eritrea: Eritrea Revenue Authority |
Kenya |
Resolved
2010-11-22 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Kenya reported that the Government of Eritrea is rejecting the COMESA Certificate of origin on processed meat exports from the Farmers Choice in Kenya due to authenticity of Signatures. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
Eriteria reported that the issue was resolved by the COMESA customs and trade committee meeting |
|
|
Products:
|
2102.10: Active yeasts |
|
|
NTB-000-129 |
2.10. Inadequate or unreasonable customs procedures and charges
Policy/Regulatory |
2009-07-26 |
Eswatini: Bordergate |
Botswana |
Resolved
2011-06-06 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
A total lack of consistency in the application of customs procedures at all clearing offices especially with regards to VAT. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
The Swaziland Revenue Authority (SRA) started operating in January 2011 and replaces the Department of Customs and Excise. The organization is therefore in process of developing appropriate customs clearances procedures which will be uniformly applied at all border posts. This also applies to recruitment and training of staff which is still is ongoing to reach the desired levels which will bring efficiencies in the provision of service at all borders. |
|
|
NTB-000-129 |
2.10. Inadequate or unreasonable customs procedures and charges
Policy/Regulatory |
2009-07-26 |
Eswatini: Bordergate |
Botswana |
Resolved
2011-06-06 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
A total lack of consistency in the application of customs procedures at all clearing offices especially with regards to VAT. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
Swaziland reported that the Swaziland Revenue Authority (SRA) started operating in January 2011 and replaces the Department of Customs and Excise. The organization is therefore fairly new and is still in process of developing appropriate customs clearances procedures which will be uniformly applied at all border posts. This also applies to recruitment and training of staff which is still is ongoing to reach the desired levels which will bring efficiencies in the provision of service at all borders. |
|
|
NTB-000-130 |
2.8. Lengthy and costly customs clearance procedures |
2009-07-26 |
Eswatini: Bordergate |
Eswatini |
Resolved
2011-06-06 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Lack of proper customs procedures and harmonization at the boarder posts. Customs regulations differ per individual officer, per border post , per country. There is no standard procedure of operation which is common to SADC countries |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
Swaziland reported that the Swaziland Revenue Authority (SRA) started operating in January 2011 and replaces the Department of Customs and Excise. The organization is therefore fairly new and is still in process of developing appropriate customs clearances procedures which will be uniformly applied at all border posts. This also applies to recruitment and training of staff which is still is ongoing to reach the desired levels which will bring efficiencies in the provision of service at all borders. |
|
|
Products:
|
2004.90: Vegetables and mixtures of vegetables, prepared or preserved otherwise than by vinegar or acetic acid, frozen (excl. preserved by sugar, and tomatoes, mushrooms, truffles and potatoes, unmixed) |
|
|
NTB-000-328 |
2.8. Lengthy and costly customs clearance procedures
Policy/Regulatory |
2009-09-09 |
Eswatini: Revenue Authority |
Eswatini |
Resolved
2011-06-06 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
The customs declaration system linking Swaziland Borders is not automated. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
Swaziland reported that the Swaziland Revenue Authority (SRA) started operating in January 2011 and replaces the Department of Customs and Excise. The organization is therefore fairly new and is still in process of developing appropriate customs clearances procedures which will be uniformly applied at all border posts. This also applies to recruitment and training of staff which is still is ongoing to reach the desired levels which will bring efficiencies in the provision of service at all borders. |
|
|
NTB-000-329 |
2.13. Issues related to Pre-Shipment Inspections |
2009-09-09 |
Eswatini: Customs |
Eswatini |
Resolved
2010-07-28 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Swaziland borders are seriously understaffed and there is to control smuggling. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
Swaziland reported that the Swaziland Revenue Authority (SRA) started operating in January 2011 and replaces the Department of Customs and Excise. The organization is therefore fairly new and is still in process of developing appropriate customs clearances procedures which will be uniformly applied at all border posts. This also applies to recruitment and training of staff which is still is ongoing to reach the desired levels which will bring efficiencies in the provision of service at all borders. |
|
|
NTB-000-332 |
2.3. Issues related to the rules of origin |
2009-09-09 |
Eswatini: Customs |
Eswatini |
Resolved
2010-07-28 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Delays have been experienced in the issuing Certificates of Origin |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
Swaziland reported that Customs Department issues certificates of origin for exports destined to US through AGOA and EU through Euro 1. The Trade Promotion Unit issues certificates for SADC and COMESA. Therefore there is need for clarity on which of these institutions is causing delays. |
|
|
NTB-000-334 |
1.14. Lack of coordination between government institutions |
2009-09-09 |
Eswatini: Ministry of Trade |
Uganda |
Resolved
2015-12-21 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Permits are issued by diffrent authorities in diffrent cities. Agricultural import permits are issued by NAMBOARD in Manzini.; Dairy products imports are issued by Dairy Board in Manzini. Other miscellaneous goods import permits issued by Ministry of Finance in Mbabane. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
On 21st December 2015, Uganda Focal point reported that this NTB had been long resolved. Uganda received a letter from Swaziland indicating that the issuance of permits had been streamlined. |
|
|
NTB-000-334 |
1.14. Lack of coordination between government institutions |
2009-09-09 |
Eswatini: Ministry of Trade |
Uganda |
Resolved
2015-12-21 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Permits are issued by diffrent authorities in diffrent cities. Agricultural import permits are issued by NAMBOARD in Manzini.; Dairy products imports are issued by Dairy Board in Manzini. Other miscellaneous goods import permits issued by Ministry of Finance in Mbabane. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
This NTB has been long resolved. Uganda received a letter from Swaziland indicating that the issuance of permits has been streamlined. |
|
|
NTB-000-106 |
2.7. International taxes and charges levied on imports and other tariff measures |
2009-07-26 |
Eswatini: Ministry of Trade |
South Africa |
Resolved
2010-11-22 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Swaziland imposed import levy for dairy products. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
Swaziland reported that there is an import levy on dairy products imposed and collected by Swaziland Dairy Board |
|
|
NTB-000-126 |
1.2. Government monopoly in export/import
Policy/Regulatory |
2009-07-26 |
Eswatini: Ministry of Trade |
Eswatini |
Resolved
2010-11-22 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Single channel marketing for sugar and sugar products. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
Swaziland reported that the status quo remains because the Sugar Act has not been reviewed. |
|
|
NTB-000-127 |
1.3. State subsidies, procurement, trading, state ownership
Policy/Regulatory |
2009-07-26 |
Eswatini: NAMBOARD |
Eswatini |
Resolved
2010-11-22 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Government owns several parastatals that carry out trade.NAMBOARD receives vegetables on consignment from farmers and sells in hotels etc. If the consignment spoils because it is not bought, the farmer loses. At the same time NAMBOARD issues out licences for importing of similar items to those it trades in. The products affected are maize, rice, wheat, fruits and vegetables, flour, poultry, animal feed. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
Swaziland reported that NAMBOARD issues import permits for vegetables and wheat as per the infant industry protection provision in the SACU 2002 Agreement. |
|
|
NTB-000-128 |
2.10. Inadequate or unreasonable customs procedures and charges |
2009-07-26 |
Eswatini: Bordergate |
South Africa |
Resolved
2010-11-22 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Lack of standardization in application of regulations, which currently differ per individual officer, per border post. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
Swaziland reported that Standards in application of procedures are in place. Where these are not clear officers may use discretion. This results in non uniformity. |
|
|
NTB-000-327 |
2.8. Lengthy and costly customs clearance procedures |
2009-09-09 |
Eswatini: Bordergate |
Eswatini |
Resolved
2010-11-22 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
There is a lack of proper customs procedures and harmonization at the border posts as well as lack of an automated customs declaration system linking Swaziland Borders. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
Swaziland reported that ASYCUDA ++ has been rolled out in 60 percent of the border posts. However it is fully operational on exports. Some modules especially those related to deferment on imports have not yet been implemented yet. Capacity constraints and lack of financial resources and telecommunications infrastructure continue to pose a challenge. Nonetheless, the amendment to the Customs and Excise Act seeking to introduce mandatory electronic declaration has gone through the first reading in Parliament. It is believed that the law will facilitate the allocation of resources to the automation programme. The Department has reviewed the Memorandum of Agreement signed with South Africa with an aim to initiate discussions that will lead to ICT interconnectivity. |
|
|
NTB-000-330 |
7.9. Inadequate trade related infrastructure |
2009-09-09 |
Eswatini: Bordergate |
Eswatini |
Resolved
2010-11-22 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Anti Smuggling, Quality Control & Examination Teams at border posts lack proper equipment such as forklifts, motor vehicles to carry out inspection. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
Swaziland reported that the procurement of equipment is affected by the lack of financial resources. However, measures are taken to have goods examined at owner’s premises where equipment is available. |
|
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