Non-Tariff Barriers :: Complaints

Resolved complaints

Showing items 121 to 140 of 883

Complaint number	NTB Type Category 1. Government participation in trade & restrictive practices tolerated by governments 1.1. Export subsidies 1.2. Government monopoly in export/import 1.3. State subsidies, procurement, trading, state ownership 1.4. Preference given to domestic bidders/suppliers 1.5. Requirement for counter trade 1.6. Domestic assistance programmes for companies 1.7. Discriminatory or flawed government procurement policies 1.8. Import bans 1.9. Determination of eligibility of an exporting country by the importing country 1.10. Determination of eligibility of an exporting establishment (firm, company) by the importing country 1.11. Occupational safety and health regulation 1.12. Multiplicity and Controls of Foreign exchange market 1.13. "Buy national" policy 1.14. Lack of coordination between government institutions 1.15. Other Category 2. Customs and administrative entry procedures 2.1. Government imposing antidumping duties 2.2. Arbitrary customs classification 2.3. Issues related to the rules of origin 2.4. Import licensing 2.5. Decreed customs surcharges 2.6. Additional taxes and other charges 2.7. International taxes and charges levied on imports and other tariff measures 2.8. Lengthy and costly customs clearance procedures 2.9. Issues related to transit fees 2.10. Inadequate or unreasonable customs procedures and charges 2.11. Lack of control in Customs infrastructure 2.12. Lack of capacity of Customs officers 2.13. Issues related to Pre-Shipment Inspections 2.14. Other Category 3. Technical barriers to trade (TBT) Category 4. Sanitary & phyto-sanitary (SPS) measures Category 5. Specific limitations 5.1. Quantitative restrictions 5.2. Exchange controls 5.3. Export taxes 5.4. Quotas 5.5. Import licensing requirements 5.6. Proportion restrictions of foreign to domestic goods (local content requirement) 5.7. Minimum import price limits 5.8. Embargoes 5.9. Non-automatic licensing 5.10. Prohibitions 5.11. Quantitative safeguard measures 5.12. Export restraint arrangements 5.13. Other quantity control measures 5.14. Restrictive licenses 5.15. Other Category 6. Charges on imports 6.1. Prior import deposits and subsidies 6.2. Administrative fees 6.3. Special supplementary duties 6.4. Import credit discriminations 6.5. Variable levies 6.6. Border taxes 6.7. Other Category 7. Other procedural problems 7.1. Arbitrariness 7.2. Discrimination 7.3. Corruption 7.4. Costly procedures 7.5. Lengthy procedures 7.6. Lack of information on procedures (or changes thereof) 7.7. Complex variety of documentation required 7.8. Consular and Immigration Issues 7.9. Inadequate trade related infrastructure 7.10. Other Category 8. Transport, Clearing and Forwarding 8.1. Government Policy and regulations 8.2. Administrative (Border Operating Hours, delays at border posts, etc.) 8.3. Immigration requirements (Visa, travel permit) 8.4. Transport related corruption 8.5. Infrastructure (Air, Port, Rail, Road, Border Posts,) 8.6. Vehicle standards 8.7. Costly Road user charges /fees 8.8. Issues related to transit Other Policy or Regulatory NTB Not a policy or regulatory NTB Check allUncheck all	Date of incident	Location COMESA Burundi Comoros Democratic Republic of the Congo Djibouti Egypt Eritrea Eswatini Ethiopia Kenya Libya Madagascar Malawi Mauritius Rwanda Seychelles Somalia Sudan Tunisia Uganda Zambia Zimbabwe EAC Burundi Democratic Republic of the Congo Kenya Rwanda Somalia South Sudan Tanzania Uganda SADC Angola Botswana Comoros Democratic Republic of the Congo Eswatini Lesotho Madagascar Malawi Mauritius Mozambique Namibia Seychelles South Africa Tanzania Zambia Zimbabwe COMESA EAC SADC	Reporting country or region (additional) COMESA Burundi Comoros Democratic Republic of the Congo Djibouti Egypt Eritrea Eswatini Ethiopia Kenya Libya Madagascar Malawi Mauritius Rwanda Seychelles Somalia Sudan Tunisia Uganda Zambia Zimbabwe EAC Burundi Democratic Republic of the Congo Kenya Rwanda Somalia South Sudan Tanzania Uganda SADC Angola Botswana Comoros Democratic Republic of the Congo Eswatini Lesotho Madagascar Malawi Mauritius Mozambique Namibia Seychelles South Africa Tanzania Zambia Zimbabwe COMESA EAC SADC	Status	Actions
NTB-000-926	7.3. Corruption	2019-11-04	Mozambique: Delegação Aduaneira de Zobwe	Malawi	Resolved 2021-07-09	View
Complaint:	Bus travelers are being charged R50 on Zobue and Cuchamano border with Mozambique for passport stamping on Entry and Exit as traders travel by Road.
Resolution status note:	The National Migration Service (SENAMI) suspended the border fee in 2010 and, even when it was being charged, it was forty-nine Meticais and forty-four Centavos (49.44 MZN) and not fifty Rands.
NTB-000-931	7.3. Corruption	2019-11-26	Zambia: Mazabuka		Resolved 2020-06-24	View
Complaint:	Zambia Police (not RTSA) often demand first aid kits from Heavy Goods Drivers. As outlined in Roads and Road Traffic Act, Chapter 464, Third Schedule (Regulation 17), this is NOT a requirement for a HGV, but rather for a passenger omnibus or taxi (vehicles carrying passengers for reward). As best practice and as required by some customers, a few HGV operators do place sealed first aid kits in the cabs of the trucks. ZP then break the seal and claim the kit is incomplete.
Resolution status note:	On June 24 2020, Zambia Focal Point reported that the complaining company had confirmed that this problem was no longer an issue therefore it id resolved
NTB-000-261	7.4. Costly procedures	2009-09-08	Angola: Ondjiva Customs	Namibia	Resolved 2011-11-30	View
Complaint:	Extended and unpredictable turnaround time resulting in additional costs of trucking into Angola.
Resolution status note:	During the NTBs national workshop held in Angola on 30 November 2011 it was reported that customs observations were that truck drivers leave trucks at the Angola borders for 3 or more days and return to Oshikango to resolve personal issues, claiming that they are processing documents. Too many trucks are parked at the border without information where the drivers are. In some cases drivers have reported that they are not clear of the physical addresses of destination of the load in Angola. Angola Customs is investing in creating the best conditions for commercial and non commercial border users. Santa Clara border is undergoing a massive expansion with a view to become a regional and international example of trade facilitation infrastructures.
NTB-000-161	7.4. Costly procedures	2009-07-27	Tanzania: Ministry of Trade	Tanzania	Resolved 2016-06-15	View
Complaint:	A number of non-tariff fees are levied on agricultural and manufactured products. Examples are: inspection fees, Warehousing fees; Air Cargo levy; Agricultural Cess, Livestock Marketing Cess, landing and parking fees, seaman's levy and farm support fees.
Resolution status note:	The SADC Sub Committee on Trade facilitation carried out a review of long standing NTBs and found out that the various fees identified above, i.e. inspection fees, warehousing fees; air cargo levy; agricultural cess, livestock marketing cess, landing and parking fees, seaman's levy and farm support fees were acceptable as long as they are for the services rendered and are also provided for in the national legislations. This is finding therefore resolves the NTB
NTB-000-391	7.4. Costly procedures	2011-02-14	Mozambique: Ministry of Finance	Mozambique	Resolved 2011-09-29	View
Complaint:	Withholding tax of 20% is charged on any payment made to a company not registered in Mozambique. Export of fresh produce to Europe by airfreight, or to South Africa by refrigerated road haulage cannot be carried out by any company registered in Mozambique. Therefore payment to service providers such as international airlines and road hauliers engaging in export of perishable goods to Europe or South Africa is subject to payment of 20% withholding tax. International airlines and road hauliers do not accept the deduction of this tax meaning the exporting company based in Mozambique must assume this as a cost, thus increasing the cost of export products, and reducing the margin made on exporting these products
Resolution status note:	At the consultative meeting held between SADC Secretariat and Mozambique NTBs focal Points in Maputo on 19 September 2011, Mozambique reported that all compaines doing commercial business in the territory must be registered in that country. Foreign haulage companies wishing to participate in local business must therefore conform with legal requirements.
Products:	0708.10: Fresh or chilled peas "Pisum sativum", shelled or unshelled
NTB-000-402	7.4. Costly procedures Policy/Regulatory	2011-03-01	Mozambique: Ministry of Finance	Mozambique	Resolved 2011-09-19	View
Complaint:	Withholding tax is charged on payment to any company not registered in Mozambique. Any truck from a neighbouring country delivering goods to Beira is required to pay this tax on any backload which it may return with to its home destination. In practice this leads to the belief that no foreign truck can collect goods from Beira Port
Resolution status note:	Mozambique reported that for all foreign operatorso undertake commerciaal transit operations, in that country, they must be conform to requirements as per article 25 of the ministerial decree 10/2002 of January 30th.
Products:	2523.29: Portland cement (excl. white, whether or not artificially coloured)
NTB-000-477	7.4. Costly procedures Policy/Regulatory	2011-12-02	South Africa: Kopfontein	Botswana	Resolved 2012-08-28	View
Complaint:	With effect from the 1st of January 2012 SARS will no longer be accepting bank guaranteed cheques as a mode of payment for the 14% VAT on imports into South Africa. A note from SARS reports that the reason for this major is due to modernization that SARS customs is currently under going and has impact on various areas of business including revenue division whereby every process will be automated. With SARS having stopped allowing foreign clients to participate in the deferment in 2007 and with SARS having on its cards at some point in 2012 they will discontinue those foreign clients who registered fro a deferment account prior 2007. This means foreign companies importing into South Africa will effectively have to pay cash or make use of a South African clearing agent with a deferred account at the boarders. Other alternatives given would be 1. Establish a company in SA which will be invoiced for all products sent to SA and would be liable for the 14% VAT and then on - sell to our current customers. 2. Approach SARS clearing agent, who would then pay the VAT and charge for it as well as clearing our products, note that current monthly VAT payments can go up to a million rands. 3. Approach our SA customers to open VAT deferred accounts with SARS which as proven difficult. further more SARS no longer accepts export documents that are filled in by individual companies, the requirement is that companies use the services of the SA clearing agents, of which a charge of 150 per document in rands is required. An average truck carrying various products for various clients could easily run into thousands of rands per truck load. It is increasingly becoming difficult to export into South Africa.
Resolution status note:	In their letter dated 28 August 2012 to Focal Point South Africa, Sout Africa Revenue Services reported that the NTB had been resolved bilaterally.
NTB-000-723	7.4. Costly procedures	2016-09-06	Zambia: All ports of entry	South Africa	Resolved 2018-01-25	View
Complaint:	Drivers are experiencing long delays in processing of the maize export permits in Zambia. It takes more than 90 days for permits to be processed by the authorities causing drivers to exceed their 90 day limit in Zambia.Once drivers reach this limit, they are required to buy work permits at a very high cost of $225. This impacts heavily on already small margins.
Resolution status note:	Zambia reported that the Ministry of Agriculture through the Department of Agribusiness and Marketing is responsible for facilitating trade through the issuance of Control of Goods Import and Export Permits for Agriculture Commodities. The process of issuance of permits starts and is completed within a period of 24 hours. Maize Grain is an agricultural commodity whose export is subject to the Control of Goods Act. Export Permits, Control of Goods, for maize are processed within 24 hours. Delays previously reported were an isolated incident that may have been caused by externalities at play then. The current status is that Export Permits, Control of Goods, for maize are processed within 24 hours. We propose that this be considered resolved.
NTB-000-737	7.4. Costly procedures	2017-03-01		South Africa	Resolved 2019-08-21	View
Complaint:	KBP company who constructed the new border between Zambia and DRC , about 6 years or so ago pegged crossing fees at $100/truck for the Zambia side and $100 for DRC side. The same charge is levied for the return journey therefore transporters pay total crossing fees of $400/truck for a round trip .Further , parking fees of $25/truck/day are enforced for units that stay over 24 hours in the parking bay. These fees were justified at the beginning as these were to modernize the border. However, the transport rates have tumbled by as much as 40 % and we all now have to look at cutting costs. Taking into account the number of vehicle crossings daily, the US$ 400 crossing fees per round trip has now become a barrier to trade and is having an impact on growth in trade in the region.
Resolution status note:	During the meeting of NTBs Focal Points held on 19- 21 August 2019, Zambia reported the charges are part of the contractual obligations which will expire in 2023.
NTB-000-767	7.4. Costly procedures	2017-05-05	Tanzania: Tanzania Food and Drugs Authority	Kenya	Resolved 2019-04-30	View
Complaint:	TFDA delays issuance of registration certificate causing Kenyan companies to lose out on trade. The finalization of the accepted label can take between 3-12 months. This additionally increase the cost of doing business as a manufacturer would have to pay certification fees more than three times to have one label approved due to the deadlines imposed in terms of getting labels approved. Kenya products have been stranded at the borders or manufacturers warehouse because they have not passed TFDA requirements.
Resolution status note:	Tanzania informed the Regional Monitoring Committee meeting on 3rd May 2019, that TFDA had reduced the certification period from 3- 12 months to 45 days as per international requirements. She observed that most delays were caused by late submission of required information by agents at the time of processing the registration and therefore urged Partner States to respond to queries logged on them on time , to avoid unnecessary delays.
NTB-000-770	7.4. Costly procedures	2017-05-05	Tanzania: Namanga	Kenya	Resolved 2018-11-16	View
Complaint:	Kenya is facing challenges with the delays in verification of perishable goods namely industrial gases and milk products. Industrial gases are exported in liquid state but they very quickly evaporate into gas if the export trucks are left out in the open sun for more than 48 hours. Also, milk is a sensitive product which if not preserved in conducive environment it will get spoiled therefore, should be treated as perishable products under special clearance.
Resolution status note:	During SCTIFI meeting held on 16 November 2018, Tanzania reported that since the commencement of the SCT, goods are not verified at the border and hence there are no more delays. NTB was therefore resolved
NTB-000-925	7.4. Costly procedures	2019-06-03	Tanzania: Namanga & Arusha	Kenya	Resolved 2020-09-10	View
Complaint:	TRA cannot issue assessment for confectionery until Atomic Energy Certificate is attached in the system. This means samples have to be provided by agent / client to the Atomomic Energy in Arusha and a fee of 0.4% of invoice value paid. Samples from the whole country have to be sent to Arusha. It then takes about 3-4 days for the certificate to be issued. The agent can then proceed with lodging the assessment after attaching the certificate in the system
Resolution status note:	The SCTIFI held in September 2020, noted that this is an operational Issue and should be resolved from the EAC Time Bound Programme
NTB-000-959	7.4. Costly procedures	2020-05-18	Mozambique: Delegação Aduaneira de Zobwe	Malawi	Resolved 2022-06-28	View
Complaint:	Introduction of escort fees. An escort fee at Zobue to escort Illovo Sugar (Malawi) trucks to Beira. It is US$ 200 per batch of 3 vehicles. If there is a single vehicle/truck that must get to the port the fee is still $ 200. And there is also a scanning charge of US $ 20 per vehicle.
Resolution status note:	This NTB has been reported as resolved, considering the update provided earlier, which included some documents in the attachment.
NTB-000-953	7.4. Costly procedures	2020-04-11		Namibia	Resolved 2026-02-18	View
Complaint:	At Katima Mulilo border post between the Republic of Namibia and the Republic of Zambia, Zambian Authorities/ Command centres, specifically the Zambia Police Service and the Ministry of Health Officials stationed at Katima Mulilo border post from the Provincial Administration in Western Province tasked to screen truck drivers at the border post, are charging Namibian transporters and truck drivers to meet logistical costs of escorting their respective quarantined truck drivers to Kazungula, Livingstone, Lusaka and Kasumbalesa transits especially perishables and other essential commodities such as medicines, clearly at variance with World Customs Organisation (WCO) and World Trade Organisation (WTO) Protocols on Trade, destined for the Republic of Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo via the Walvis Bay - Ndola - Lubumbashi Development Corridor (Namibia, Zambia, DRC). In the Republic of Zambia and other SADC Member states, and in line with World Health Organisation (WHO) Public Health Protocols, screening, testing and quarantining of truck drivers for covid - 19 are State operations and are at variance with the agreed SADC Guidelines on Harmonisation and Facilitation of Cross Border Transport Operations during the covid - 19 outbreak. This is an added cost of doing business, unnecessary cross border delays without prior notification to transporters and a Non - Tariff Barrier to Trade. This is unprecedented, Namibian transporters are being charged as much as K800 for each Police Officer for at least 3 days and each convoy of trucks has at least 3 Police officers. The cost is meant to cover lodging and subsistence allowance for the officers. This is an encumbrance to trade, against the SADC Guidelines on movement of goods and services in the region amid covid - 19 and adds to the cost of doing business, against WCO, WTO, and WHO best practices on global trade facilitation and Public Health.
Resolution status note:	Based on the update provided above, the complaint can be considered as resolved.
NTB-000-061	8.7. Costly Road user charges /fees Policy/Regulatory	2009-07-22	Zambia: Ministry of Transport	Zimbabwe	Resolved 2011-05-23	View
Complaint:	Zambia has increased its carbon tax and is now charging US$40 per trip instead of US$40 per annum
Resolution status note:	Zambia reported that she does not charge US$ 40 per trip but charges US$40 per every three (3) months and during that period payment is made only once regards less of how many trips are made until the three months expires.
NTB-000-116	8.7. Costly Road user charges /fees	2009-07-26	Malawi: Ministry of Transport	South Africa	Resolved 2012-04-26	View
Complaint:	Malawi charges very high road leivies
Resolution status note:	At the 3rd meeting the Tripartite NTBs Focal Points and NMC Chairs,Malawi reported that it was difficult to get further information from the complainant as this was uploaded before the online system allowed complainants to provide their contact details. However, Malawi would consult with the Ministry of Transport to gather all the transport related charges and upload them on the NTB website, for transparency. It was resolved that this NTB could not be processed for now until such time South Africa provides adequate information on the complaint. In the meantime, the NTB would be considered resolved, until the agreed information is made available. South Africa requested that the NTB be transffered to the section for resolved NTBs of policy and regulatory nature since the regulations are in place in Malawi.
NTB-000-115	8.7. Costly Road user charges /fees Policy/Regulatory	2009-07-26	Botswana: Ministry of Transport	South Africa	Resolved 2011-01-10	View
Complaint:	Botswana charges very high road levies.
Resolution status note:	Botswana reported that Botswana charges road levies on entry to Botswana at the border only. Road levies are used for road maintenance in Botswana, and are only paid once at entry point.
NTB-000-216	8.7. Costly Road user charges /fees	2009-07-27	SADC	Zimbabwe	Resolved 2016-10-07	View
Complaint:	Toll fees variation within the region hampers smooth transit of goods. Toll fees should be rationalised.
Resolution status note:	FESARTA reported that the NTB does not exist at present.
NTB-000-298	8.7. Costly Road user charges /fees	2009-09-08	SADC	Namibia	Resolved 2012-06-15	View
Complaint:	Bond registration fees are generally high in all SADC countries
Resolution status note:	The 10th meeting of SADC Committee on Trade facilitation held on 14-15 June 2012 noted that the issue of bonds is normally managed by private sector, mostly banks therefore commercial rates would prevail. It was also noted that within the SADC Customs work programme, there is work to facilitate single transit bond, the result of which should be ready by March 2013. This NTB was therefore considered resolved on grounds that bond registration fees are cahrged at market rates.
NTB-000-355	8.7. Costly Road user charges /fees	2010-02-10	SADC	Namibia	Resolved 2012-06-15	View
Complaint:	Bond registration fees are excessively high in all SADC countries. Especially when cargo transits in two countries the bond registration fees become a constraint.
Resolution status note:	The 10th meeting of SADC Committee on Trade facilitation held on 14-15 June 2012 noted that the issue of bonds is normally managed by private sector, mostly banks therefore commercial rates would prevail. It was also noted that within the SADC Customs work programme, there is work to facilitate single transit bond, the result of which should be ready by March 2013. This NTB was therefore considered resolved on grounds that bond registration fees are cahrged at market rates.

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