| Complaint number |
NTB Type
|
Date of incident |
Location |
Reporting country or region (additional) |
Status |
Actions |
|
NTB-001-063 |
8.2. Administrative (Border Operating Hours, delays at border posts, etc.) |
2022-03-24 |
Zambia: Kasumbalesa |
Zimbabwe |
Resolved
2023-03-06 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
There is slow Clearance by border agencies ( Zambia Customs) causing truck delays. Trucks following a queue 34km long at morning of 24 March 2022 . |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
A Bilateral Ministerial Meeting between the Republic of Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) was held on 6th March 2023. It was agreed that all border agencies of both countries put in place procedures to allow for 24-hour border operations at Kasumbalesa, Sakania, Mokambo and Kipushi in accordance with internal procedures.Based on the outcome of the Bilateral meeting, the NTB is resolved |
|
|
NTB-001-064 |
8.5. Infrastructure (Air, Port, Rail, Road, Border Posts,) |
2022-03-24 |
Zambia: Mokambo Border to Mfulira Road |
Zimbabwe |
Resolved
2023-04-06 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
The Mokambo Border to Mfulira road has become impassable with trucks getting stuck in the mud and being damaged as a result of the poor road condition |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
During the COMESA Regional capacity building workshop for National focal Points held in Rwanda from 3-6 April 2023, Zambia focal point reported that reconstruction of the Mokambo border to Mfulira had been commenced. It was therefore recommend that this NTB be regarded as resolved considering that Zambia is taking efforts to reconstruct the road |
|
|
NTB-001-090 |
8.8. Issues related to transit |
2022-10-19 |
Zambia: Katima Mulilo |
Namibia |
Resolved
2026-04-21 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Issuance of exorbitant transit permit fees by the Zambian Government went up from K3700 to K11200 and is only imposed at the Katima Mulilo Border post and not at any other borders around Zambia. The Permit was supposed to only apply to those entering Zambia for the purpose of doing business and not those in transit such as drivers transporting the goods through/via Zambia. the permit is therefore deemed to be discriminatory (no other SADC/COMESA countries are imposing a similar measure)and, the permit hinders the movement of goods as truck drivers are delayed in trying to source money to fund the permit. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
After a follow-up via email with the complainant, the complainant confirmed that the NTB was resolved. Secretariat is kindly requested to update status of this NTB to resolved. |
|
|
NTB-001-153 |
2.3. Issues related to the rules of origin |
2024-01-26 |
Zambia: ZAMBIA REVENUE AUTHORITY |
Tanzania |
Resolved
2026-04-14 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
The ZB Card company shipped a shipment to Zambia at the end of January which is subject to the original SADC laws. When you arrived at ZRA, they refused to allow it, claiming that the HS Code is incorrect, so they ordered ZB Card to change it. ZB Card did that but ZRA has rejected the CoO claiming that it is not authentic. We have contacted TCCIA so that they can confirm its authenticity and TCCIA has done so but since 10/02/2024 there has been no success |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
During the NTBs workshop held in Johannesburg on 14 April 2026, Zambia and Tanzania reported that this issue was resolved , There is no new complain regarding this issue. |
|
|
NTB-001-237 |
7.10. Other |
2024-05-28 |
Zambia: Chirundu |
Zimbabwe |
Resolved
2025-03-19 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
The authorities on the Zambian customs are issuing COMESA certificates on ploughs and parts exported into Zimbabwe when these products are Imported from India and China. Zambia have no ploughs and parts manufacturer except for wheels. Again how does a COMESA certificate get issued with no manufacturer name inscribed? |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
The Ministry of Commerce, Trade & Industry and our customs authorities have reviewed this matter and wish to advise that Zimbabwe should not honour the STR Document.
Further to your report that you have seen similar matters, the authorities have gone a step further to look into the said matters.
If our response (i.e. Zimbabwe should not honour this STR Document) is satisfactory, we request that the NTB status be changed to resolved. |
|
|
Products:
|
8432.90: Parts of agricultural, horticultural or forestry machinery for soil preparation or cultivation or of lawn or sports-ground rollers, n.e.s. |
|
|
NTB-001-298 |
7.6. Lack of information on procedures (or changes thereof) |
2025-03-14 |
Zambia: Kazungula Ferry |
Botswana |
Resolved
2026-04-15 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
On the 14th of March 2025 i encountered challenges when crossing to Zambia for business purposes. The immigration officer at the border enquired on the purpose of my visit to Zambia and i informed her that i was travelling for business and requested for a Business Visit (BV) stamp. The officer indicated that BV is only used when someone is travelling to Zambia to sell not to buy as i had intended to go and purchase sweet potatoes. I informed her that we had previously had challenges with law enforcement officers as they insist that whoever is coming to Zambia for business purposes should have a BV stamp not visitors stamp. The officer solicited a bribe amounting to BWP500.00 in order to give me the BV stamp. This contraction of information between immigration officers and the police officers in Zambia cost us as traders lots of money as well as time. It also compromises our safety when we go to Zambia |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
The issue was resolved during the Bi- National meeting held in February 2026. It was agreed that Zambia will increase number Business Visists from 30 days to 90 days annually. Furthermore, the Travellers are not expected to pay for the Business Visa Stamp. |
|
|
Products:
|
0714.20: Sweet potatoes, fresh, chilled, frozen or dried, whether or not sliced or in the form of pellets |
|
|
NTB-000-033 |
5.10. Prohibitions |
2008-12-22 |
Uganda: Ministry of Rourism, Trade and Industry |
Kenya |
Resolved
2019-04-26 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Ban on Imports
Kenya has complained that Uganda had placed a ban on beef imports |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
Uganda reported that the issue is not for Kenya but all other Partner States. And it is only on frozen beef she resolved the issue. |
|
|
Products:
|
0202.30: Frozen, boneless meat of bovine animals |
|
|
NTB-000-034 |
8.6. Vehicle standards |
2004-12-22 |
Uganda: Ministry of Transport |
Kenya |
Resolved
2010-11-22 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Transit Regulations
Kenya complained that Ugandan authorities were enforcing a requirement that all transit trucks be covered. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
Uganda reported that the matter was resolved in 2006 |
|
|
NTB-000-035 |
2.7. International taxes and charges levied on imports and other tariff measures |
2008-12-22 |
Uganda: Ministry of Trade |
Kenya |
Resolved
2010-11-22 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Import Tariffs
Kenya complained that Ugandan authorities were utilizing 1994 tariff levels as base year for calculating COMESA discounts. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
Uganda reported that she is no longer using 1994 tariff levels as base year for calculations |
|
|
NTB-000-036 |
4. Sanitary & phyto-sanitary (SPS) measures
A82: Testing requirement |
2004-05-21 |
Uganda: Uganda Bureau of Standards |
Kenya |
Resolved
2010-11-29 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Kenya complained that Ugandan authorities were requesting for samples of milk to Uganda Dairy Development Authority for testing and that they were not accepting the certificate of analysis from Kenya Bureau of Standards on Kenyan Products. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
Uganda reported that the Uganda Dairy Development Authority (DDA) has never denied entry of milk from Kenya except for a one-off incident that happened in 2007 where the denial of entry was attributed to the water content, about 27%, in the imported milk.
The Uganda DDA respects quality certification from the country of origin and does not subject that milk to fresh certification. Some companies however prefer to bring into Uganda samples for analysis but neither the Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) nor the Uganda (DDA) analyze items that have been analyzed by the Kenya Bureau of Standards( KEBS). They only monitor and consult with the sister bureaux of standards in the EAC Partner States. |
|
|
Products:
|
0402.10: Milk and cream in solid forms, of a fat content by weight of <= 1,5% |
|
|
NTB-000-473 |
2.3. Issues related to the rules of origin |
2011-11-05 |
Uganda: Malaba |
Rwanda |
Resolved
2013-04-10 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Certificates of origin are not provided at the borders between Rwanda and Uganda and cross border traders are obliged to collect them from Kampala for goods exceeding 500 US$. The long distance to Kampala is time consuming and additional cost to doing business. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
At the Tripartite NTBs Online Reporting, Monitoring and Eliminating Mechanism Meeting to Launch the SMS Reporting Tool held from 9-10 April 2013 in Lusaka, Zambia, Uganda reported that Certificates are issued at the border so this NTB has been resolved. Rwanda intervened that it is only simplified certificate of origin for small scale traders that are available at the border but that for large scale traders has to be obtained from Kampala. Uganda undertook to confirm on whether Certificates of origin for large scale traders are available at the border. |
|
|
NTB-000-475 |
1.13. "Buy national" policy |
2011-10-06 |
Uganda: Uganda National Police |
Rwanda |
Resolved
2012-12-03 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Removal of plate numbers on vehicles that have had accidents.The argument given is to force the driver to report to the police. The consequence is loss of goods and vehicle parts because with no plate number the truck/vehicle seems to belong to nobody. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
On 21st December 2015, Uganda Focal Point reported that the NTB was resolved in 2012 by Uganda |
|
|
NTB-000-648 |
5.3. Export taxes
Policy/Regulatory |
2014-12-11 |
Uganda: Uganda Revenue Authority |
Rwanda |
Resolved
2015-11-18 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Charge of "export tax" of 0.2 % of raw materials exported from Uganda by Rwanda Premier Tobacco Company Ltd |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
At the 16th EAC Forum on NTBs, Uganda undertook to study evidence provided by Rwanda and report back to the next meeting of the forum. UGANDA is adhering to EAC preferential treatment. |
|
|
NTB-000-654 |
2.3. Issues related to the rules of origin |
2014-12-11 |
Uganda: Mutukula |
Tanzania |
Resolved
2015-12-15 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Rwanda and Uganda have not accorded preferential treatment on exports of rice from Tanzania through Rusumo and Mutukula borders respectively. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
On 21st December 2015, Uganda Focal Point reported that Uganda was now according preferential treatment for rice originating from Tanzania. This NTBis therefore resolved |
|
|
NTB-000-661 |
2.7. International taxes and charges levied on imports and other tariff measures |
2014-12-11 |
Uganda: Uganda Revenue Authority |
Kenya |
Resolved
2015-03-16 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Uganda charges 25% duty rate on scrapping rolls manufactured in Kenya and also on products manufactured in Kenya using glucose. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
At the Kenya NMC NTBs meeting held in Nairobi on 16th March 2015, Kenya confirmed that Uganda had scrapped the 25% duty .This position was endorsed by the 17th NTB forum thereby resolving this issue. |
|
|
NTB-000-668 |
8.8. Issues related to transit |
2015-02-17 |
Uganda: It is the Police of Iganga in the Republic of Uganda who take in hostage of the truck and its driver because they get and accident. |
Burundi |
Resolved
2015-12-21 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Following the accident held in IGANGA in the Republic of Uganda on 17 February, 2015 at 19h30, east african time, the truck which is registered in Burundi has been taken in hostage by Uganda Police until today and the driver is in prison at IGANGA. The truck have a COMESA Insurance that occurs wherever you are in the sub region.The COMESA insurance number is 0067772 (truck ) and 0067773 (trailer) valid from 23/03/2014 to 03/22/2015. The truck has the registration number of A2588A (truck) and T0110A (trailer). We are requesting that this truck and its driver can be released, so that they can continue their travel. Note that the truck contains the construction materials and shoes and was returning to Burundi. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
On 21st December 2015, Uganda Focal Point reported that they had contacted the Police Chief- Director of Traffic who is also a member of the NMC. The truck was released long time ago and therefore this is a resolved NTB. |
|
|
NTB-000-668 |
8.8. Issues related to transit |
2015-02-17 |
Uganda: It is the Police of Iganga in the Republic of Uganda who take in hostage of the truck and its driver because they get and accident. |
Burundi |
Resolved
2015-12-21 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Following the accident held in IGANGA in the Republic of Uganda on 17 February, 2015 at 19h30, east african time, the truck which is registered in Burundi has been taken in hostage by Uganda Police until today and the driver is in prison at IGANGA. The truck have a COMESA Insurance that occurs wherever you are in the sub region.The COMESA insurance number is 0067772 (truck ) and 0067773 (trailer) valid from 23/03/2014 to 03/22/2015. The truck has the registration number of A2588A (truck) and T0110A (trailer). We are requesting that this truck and its driver can be released, so that they can continue their travel. Note that the truck contains the construction materials and shoes and was returning to Burundi. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
Uganda Focal Point contacted the Police Chief- Director of Traffic who is also a member of the NMC. The truck was released long time ago and therefore this is a resolved NTB. |
|
|
NTB-000-681 |
7.2. Discrimination
Policy/Regulatory |
2015-10-12 |
Uganda: Malaba |
|
Resolved
2016-06-30 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Uganda discriminatively imposed a 10 percent duty on Kenya manufactured Laundry bar soaps. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
At he 21st EAC NTBs Forum, Uganda reported that the 10% charged is Excise duty on cosmetics and soaps.
The NTB was resolved upon receipt of the statutory instrument from Uganda. |
|
|
NTB-000-693 |
8.6. Vehicle standards |
2016-04-22 |
Uganda: Lira Mobile weighbridge |
Uganda |
Resolved
2016-04-25 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
truck number UAQ 474t/UAD 291Q is being held at the LIRA mobile weigbride due to overload after it was weighed in Mbale and bares the weighbridge ticket with the right tonnage as requires to be carried by the truck.
the truck was weighed in mbale with a gross weight of 48 and when weighed in lira, it has a gross weight of 56 tonnes
the truck is loaded with world food program relief food destined for Sudan and this barrier is affecting the supply to the sudannese people who are in urgent need of food |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
Uganda Focal point reported that the truck had been released on the same day. |
|
|
NTB-000-704 |
1.14. Lack of coordination between government institutions |
2016-04-22 |
Uganda: Ministries responsible for Trade in Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda |
Kenya |
Resolved
2016-12-07 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Inadequate or no information on the change of export and import procedures |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
This NTB was resolved by the meeting of the 22nd NTBs Forum held from 5-7 December 2016. |
|
English
Français
