Non-Tariff Barriers :: Complaints

Resolved complaints

Showing items 121 to 140 of 917

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-000-303	2.7. International taxes and charges levied on imports and other tariff measures	2009-09-09	South Africa: Department of Trade and Industry	Madagascar	Resolved 2010-07-22	View
Complaint:	Complex tariff and other import tax structure
Resolution status note:	South Africa reported that both countries are members of SADC hence SADC tariff reduction schedules apply
NTB-000-498	8.5. Infrastructure (Air, Port, Rail, Road, Border Posts,)	2012-03-14	Kenya: Mombasa sea port	Rwanda	Resolved 2014-12-11	View
Complaint:	Congestion in the Dar-es- Salaam and Mombasa Ports
Resolution status note:	At the 16th EAC regional forum on non tariff barriers held in Kigali in December 2014, EAC Secretariat reported that the ports of Mombasa and Dar Es Salaam are implementing National single window system to redress delays at the ports. This NTB is therefore resolved
NTB-000-895	8.8. Issues related to transit	2019-08-08	South Africa: Durban sea Port	Lesotho	Resolved 2020-02-25	View
Complaint:	Container been detention for physical exam for too long now, which will delay our exports. The requested documents were provided long time.
Resolution status note:	On 25 Februaru 2020, Lesotho Focal Point reported that the complaint had confirmed that the container had been released
NTB-000-658	8.8. Issues related to transit Policy/Regulatory	2014-12-11	Kenya: Along corridor	Rwanda	Resolved 2015-11-30	View
Complaint:	Containerized cargo is being subjected to Imposition of 4 weighbridges instead of agreed 2 as agreed by Partner States.
Resolution status note:	During the 45th SCTIFI Rwanda reported that Weighbridges exceed the designated number of two (2) that trucks should go through both in the Central Corridor (7 weighbridges) and the Northern Corridor (8 to 9 weighbridges); (a) 5 Weighbridges in Kenya which are located at Dongo Kundu, near the Port of Mombasa Mariakani, Mlolongo, Gigil, Busia mobile weighbridge (if you pass through Busia border) or Webuye (if you pass through Malaba border). At each of these weighbridges, the track is weighed which wastes time. (b) 3 to 4 weighbridges in Uganda: If passed through Malaba, there is Malaba weighbridge (If passed through Busia border there is no weighbridge), Iganga, Lukaya and Mbarara. (c) 8 Weighbridges in Tanzania which are located at Kurasini, Vigwaza, Mikese, Dumila, Dodoma, Singida, Kahama, and Nyakahura. The Republic of Kenya informed the meeting that trucks are weighed once at the Mariakani weighbridge as per the Presidential Directive. However, Kenya took note of the complaint and committed to consult the Ministry of Transport on the 5 Weighbridges and report to the 38th RMC. The United Republic of Tanzania submitted that transit trucks are weighed at three weighbridges: Vigwaza, Singida and Nyakahura. It was noted that the challenge is with truck drivers who sometimes do not differentiate between the weighbridges dedicated for transit vehicles and the ones dedicated for domestic vehicles and hence noted the need for weighbridges for international transport to bear clear signage or color to be differentiated from local weighbridges. Senior Officials noted the need to sensitize the truck drivers and weigh bridge officers on the weighbridges required for the international transfers. The SCTIFI directed Secretariat to develop a mechanism to differentiate transit truck weighbridges from domestic cargo trucks by putting clear signage or colouring them differently and circulating the information to stakeholders / transporters and report to the 46th Sectoral Council for Trade, Industry, Finance and Investment (EAC / SCTIFI 45 / Directive / 54);
NTB-000-215	2.4. Import licensing	2009-07-27	Zimbabwe: Ministry of Trade	Zimbabwe	Resolved 2010-07-30	View
Complaint:	Cooking oil can only be exported after obtaining a license from the Ministry of Industry and International trade
NTB-000-803	2.6. Additional taxes and other charges	2018-02-28	Tanzania: Importation into Tanzania	Malawi	Resolved 2026-04-14	View
Complaint:	CORI Ltd visited Tanzania last year to look for export markets for cooking oil in Tanzania. CORI was informed that the government in Tanzania does not promote/support importation and that Tanzania has a 15% surcharge on the importation of cooking oil.
Resolution status note:	During the SADC Regional Meeting on the Resolution of Reported Non-Tariff Barriers held on 14–15 April 2026 in South Africa, National Focal Points from Malawi and Tanzania deliberated on this particular non-tariff barrier. The Focal Persons from Tanzania indicated that the NTB is no longer an issue. To verify this, the National Focal Points from Malawi engaged CORI Limited to confirm the current situation. CORI Limited confirmed that they have since obtained the export licence and are now exporting cooking oil to Tanzania.
NTB-000-802	2.6. Additional taxes and other charges	2018-02-28	Zimbabwe: Ministry of Industry & Commerce Zimbabwe	Malawi	Resolved 2019-10-12	View
Complaint:	CORI Ltd visited Zimbabwe last year to explore their local market to check if there is potential for their products (cooking oil). CORI Ltd discovered that they could not export cooking oil into Zimbabwe as the government in Zimbabwe has instituted Statutory Instrument (S.I 64) that banned imports of a variety of products (cooking oil is one of them). Zimbabwe also has 40% (or $0.50/litre) duty on cooking oil imports
Resolution status note:	During the national workshop to launch the SSMS tool for Zimbabwe and training for NMC, Zimbabwe reported that the consolidated SI 122 removed the requirement for import and export licences on some products including cooking oil.
NTB-000-449	7.3. Corruption	2011-06-16	EAC	Rwanda	Resolved 2016-06-30	View
Complaint:	Corruption along the Northern and Central Corridors (police roadblocks, weighbridge and border gates.
Resolution status note:	This NTB is no longer obtaining .
NTB-001-005	2.2. Arbitrary customs classification	2021-01-05	Zimbabwe: Chirundu	Zimbabwe	Resolved 2023-04-06	View
Complaint:	CROSS BORDER TRADE RELATED Cross border trade was affected by the lockdown put in place under the COMESA COVID-19 Regulations implemented by Member States because of challenges the pandemic brought. While the COVID-19 Measures are welcome, the lockdown did not have other mechanisms which were put in place to cover the informal sector as majority of them are women who are also bread winners whose small savings and profits are meant for schools and general welfare of the family. As much as traders pay heed to COVID 19 regulations this does not substitute food on the table. Government appreciated movement of goods by trucks as a way of decongesting borders thereby small scale traders being marginalized. COMESA SIMPLIFIED REGIME is a system done by COMESA Members States to simply trade for small trade players, in this Pandemic lockdown , why don't the Government allow small scale traders to organize themselves through CBTAs and COMESA TRADE INFORMATION OFFICERS to clear their wares in a simplified manner. Traders can send their money by wire transfer or MUKURU then goods are sent to the border and all the clearing formalities are done by the TIDO, the same way clearing agents are doing it. The current arrangement where only agents allowed to do clearances for cross border traders has increased their cost of doing business drastically as the the clearing formalities takes more time 3-4 working days from time when an entry is done where as the STR clearance through TIDO takes hours for a small consignment of $1000.00 STR threshold value and goods are released, goods which are on of eligible products
Resolution status note:	COMESA Regional workshop for National Focal Points and NMCs held from 3-6 April 2023 in Rwanda made observation that this NTB was reported when there were travel restrictions due to the COVID- 19 pandemic and small-scale cross border traders were unable to clear their goods under the COMESA STR. Currently, there are no travel restrictions hence small-scale cross border traders are now able to clear goods under the COMESA STR. In view of the above developments, this NTB is therefore resolved.
Products:	2202: Waters, including mineral waters and aerated waters, containing added sugar or other sweetening matter or flavoured, and other non-alcoholic beverages, not including fruit or vegetable juices of heading 20.09., 3005: Wadding, gauze, bandages and similar articles (for example, dressings, adhesive plasters, poultices), impregnated or coated with pharmaceutical substances or put up in forms or packings for retail sale for medical, surgical, dental or veterinary purposes and 3401: Soap; organic surface-active products and preparations for use as soap, in the form of bars, cakes, moulded pieces or shapes, whether or not containing soap; organic surface-active products and preparations for washing the skin, in the form of liquid or c
NTB-000-378	7.6. Lack of information on procedures (or changes thereof)	2010-02-10	SADC	Zimbabwe	Resolved 2012-06-15	View
Complaint:	Cross border traders and exporters in general are not aware of the SADC FTA particularly the tariff reduction schedules.
Resolution status note:	The 10th SADC meeting of the Sub Committtee on Trade Facilitation held on 14-15 June 2012 noted that tariff data is available on the SADC website for the benefit of stakeholders and that Member States have the responsibility to undertake sensitisation in their respective territories to create awareness.
NTB-001-125	2.8. Lengthy and costly customs clearance procedures	2023-06-01	Democratic Republic of the Congo:	Malawi	Resolved 2026-04-15	View
Complaint:	Cross Border truck drivers from Malawi, Zambia and other COMESA Member States face cumbersome procedures of clearing goods and other transit issues at the relevant border post in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). In particular the following is reported: 1. Scanner at Mutaka- Cumbersome payment procedures for the scanner ($100) and forced parking ($30) which has led to congestion for the drivers as well as serious security concerns. 2. Unnecessary stoppages along Kasumbalesa-Kolwezi Corridor causing massive delays. 3. Delayed document processing by Mining houses. 4. Unfair treatment of drivers in an event of accidents, sickness and death.
Resolution status note:	During the NTBs workshop 17th - 19th April 2024, DRC Focal Point confirmed that the scanner and parking charges have been lifted. During NMC meeting held in Malawi in March 2026, Malawi NFP contacted their truck association who confirmed that they were no longer paying the charges therefore NTBs has been resolved.
NTB-000-413	7.9. Inadequate trade related infrastructure	2010-03-31	Zimbabwe: Kariba	Zimbabwe	Resolved 2011-07-28	View
Complaint:	Crossborders buses are not allowed to cross over Kariba Bridge, which in turn will force a number of cross border traders to use Chirundu via Makuti which is expensive to the traders then(can the tonnage limit be reviewed by Zambezi River Authority and the Ministry of transport)
Resolution status note:	At the 9th meeting of the SADC Sub-committee on trade facilitation, Zimbabwe reported that a eeting between Zimbabwe and Zambezi river Authority had agreed on th elifting of the ban. The ban has been lifted to allow cross border buses and small commercial transport of up to 11tonnes to use the bridge.
Products:	0302.11: Fresh or chilled trout "Salmo trutta, Oncorhynchus mykiss, Oncorhynchus clarki, Oncorhynchus aguabonita, Oncorhynchus gilae, Oncorhynchus apache and Oncorhynchus chrysogaster"
NTB-000-172	2.8. Lengthy and costly customs clearance procedures	2009-07-27	Malawi: Dedza	Malawi	Resolved 2016-08-24	View
Complaint:	cumbersome and bureaucratic delays encountered in the processing of documentation and clearing of goods at the border posts.
Resolution status note:	Malawi reported that she had established trade facilitation tools e.g. Development of OSBPs with Zambia,( Muchinji/Mwami) and Tanzania. Draft agreements have been Mozambique and Malawi were now awaiting Official signing at Ministerial level. Malawi has also developed a one stop Malawi Trade portal with all legal regulations and procedures for all institutions in Malawi that deal with trade in goods. All trade and business related forms and procedures for the respective institutions can be dowloaded from the trade portal.
NTB-000-159	4.1. Issues related to sanitary and phyto-sanitary measures A83: Certification requirement	2009-07-27	Tanzania: Ministry of Health	Tanzania	Resolved 2011-08-30	View
Complaint:	Cumbersome certification procedures for certification of milk inputs.Certification officers are based in Dar es Salaam and going to Tunduma for verification is very cumbersome
Resolution status note:	Tanzania Revenue Authority reported that TRA does random physical verification as part of risk management analysis before clearing mainly on textiles motor vehicles.
NTB-000-207	1.1. Export subsidies A84: Inspection requirement	2009-07-27	Malawi: Ministry of Trade	Zimbabwe	Resolved 2010-11-22	View
Complaint:	Cumbersome export certification procedures. The delays in going through the inspection process and approval process which takes a minimum of three working days, can be costly to exporters particularly for perishables. the process is that the Malawian importer seeks approval from ITS Malawi for inspection. ITS Malawi notifies ITS head office, which is in South Africa. Head office instructs ITS Zimbabwe and gives them authority to carry out the inspection at the Malawian Company's expense.
Resolution status note:	Malawi reported that these procedures are no longer applicable, phased out with PSI in 2007
NTB-000-158	1.1. Export subsidies A82: Testing requirement	2009-07-27	Tanzania: Ministry of Agriculture	Tanzania	Resolved 2016-05-18	View
Complaint:	Cumbersome procedures for , SPS certificates and the permits.The Ministry utilitises its own laboratories in Dar es Salaam with support from Tropical Pesticide Research Institute in Arusha which takes even more time.
Resolution status note:	The procedures are being streamlined
NTB-000-577	2.6. Additional taxes and other charges	2013-04-12	Zimbabwe: Zimra Head Office	Zimbabwe	Resolved 2013-07-30	View
Complaint:	Customs and Excise (Surtax Tariff) Notice ,2012, Statutory Instrument 112 of 2012, Customs has introduced surtax on almost most of the agricultural products on the STR list of Eligible products, instead of paying 10% as presumptive tax there are now required to additional tax 25% as surtax that will amount to 35% and those which are not agriculture products instead of paying 25% as vat and presumptave tax there is additional 25% that means they will pay 50%, this a barrier, this will disturb the spirit of STR and all efforts to formalise transactions, and inrease cases of smuggling and corruption ,can there be clarity from Customs/Zimra for this surtax
Resolution status note:	On 01 June 2013, Zimbabwe Revenue Authority ( ZIMRA) reported that the introduction of surtax was not targeted at STR products as the surtax is also levied on importations of the same goods from other countries taking into consideration the terms of any trade arrangements or protocols that may exist between Zimbabwe and that trading partner or block. The On 30 July 2013, Zimbabwe Focal Point advised that the NTB be conisdered resolved by the confirmation from ZIMRA that the surtax was not discriminatory.
NTB-000-578	2.10. Inadequate or unreasonable customs procedures and charges	2013-04-13	Zimbabwe: Kariba	Zimbabwe	Resolved 2013-06-13	View
Complaint:	Customs at kariba Border Post seized my goods: 12 off klorpoder 25 kg and 28 off micromatic plus all cleaning powders claiming that the prices on the invoice are not true. Invoice price for Micromatic was at $3 & $3.50 for klorpowder which are manufactured by Nemchem Zimbabwe .These prices can be verified with manufacturer, Contact Nemchem at + 263 774017418
Resolution status note:	On 12 June 2013, Zimbabwe Revenue Authority reported that, the goods were seized in accordance with the Zimbabwe Customs and Excise Act (Chapter 23:02) which provides that an officer may seize any goods which he has reasonable grounds for believing are liable to seizure. The Act empowers the Commissioner to either unconditionally or subject to such conditions, whether as to the payment of a fine, order the release of any such goods from seizure or declare them forfeited. The client is therefore advised to make the required representations for possible release of the seized goods and submit them to the office though which the goods were seized stating all the facts relating to the seizure. Any decisions made can be appealed against up to until they reach the Commissioner-Generals office or even the courts to ensure transparency
NTB-000-578	2.10. Inadequate or unreasonable customs procedures and charges	2013-04-13	Zimbabwe: Kariba	Zimbabwe	Resolved 2013-06-13	View
Complaint:	Customs at kariba Border Post seized my goods: 12 off klorpoder 25 kg and 28 off micromatic plus all cleaning powders claiming that the prices on the invoice are not true. Invoice price for Micromatic was at $3 & $3.50 for klorpowder which are manufactured by Nemchem Zimbabwe .These prices can be verified with manufacturer, Contact Nemchem at + 263 774017418
Resolution status note:	he Zimbabwe Customs and Excise Act (Chapter 23:02) provides that an officer may seize any goods which he has reasonable grounds for believing are liable to seizure. On the other hand the same Act empowers the Commissioner to either unconditionally or subject to such, conditions whether as to the payment of a fine, order the release of any such goods from seizure or declare them forfeited. The client is therefore advised to make the required representations for possible release of the seized goods and submit them to the office though which the goods were seized stating all the facts relating to the seizure. Any decisions made can be appealed against up to until they reach the Commissioner-Generals office or even the courts to ensure transparency.
NTB-000-582	2.6. Additional taxes and other charges	2013-03-18	Zimbabwe: Kariba	Zimbabwe	Resolved 2013-07-30	View
Complaint:	Customs charging duty on STR goods which are exempted from paying duty under the Comesa Simplified Trade Regime
Resolution status note:	On 30 July 2013, Zimbabwe Focal point confirmed ZIMRA report that Zimbabwe does not charge customs duty on goods that qualify under STR if the goods have been properly declared as per the requirement. It should however be taken into cognizance that Import Value Added Tax (VAT) at a rate of 15% is payable. Also where the importer does not have a Tax Clearance Certificate (ITF 263) Presumptive Tax at a rate of 10% of the Value of the goods being imported is payable. Clearance under STR is limited to a consignment of us$1000. If the consignment exceeds the US$1000 duty is paid on the excess List of goods which qualify under STR are displayed at the respective Border Posts. Furthermore TIDOs are placed at the respective Border Posts to assist persons importing such goods understand the clearance procedures.
Products:	5402.11: High-tenacity filament yarn of aramids (excl. sewing thread and yarn put up for retail sale)

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