Non-Tariff Barriers

Complaint

Complaint number

NTB-000-590  

NTB Type

7.1. Arbitrariness  

Complaint

This complaint is registered by FESARTA.
UNACCEPTABLE PROCEDURE FOR ESCORTING VEHICLES, BY MOZAMBIQUE CUSTOMS
Mozambique customs at Beira should only require the escorting of vehicles between Beira and Machipanda, and return, under special circumstances, eg abnormal or high value loads. The decision to call for escorts is made by the head of customs in Beira.
However, the escorting process is not efficient and reasonable, viz:
• Escorting is called for randomly and often for trucks carrying normal cargo such as tobacco and sugar
• The escorting fee is high at USD100 per truck
• Delays are caused whilst customs waits for 3 or more trucks to be escorted together. Or they may wait until the next day to suit their convenience
• Often, a customs officer does not even travel with the vehicles, but goes in a separate vehicle to take the documents to the next check point. On occasion, the trucks have to wait at the next check point because the officer is not there with the documents
• It is suggested that the escorting fees are merely split up between the various officers.
Escorting should not be necessary since transit bond guarantees are in place and the route between Beira and Machipanda is simple, direct and short. Furthermore, there are several check points along the route.  

Status note

The Mozambique Revenue Authority clarified that the referred escort fee of USD 100 was illegal. Mozambique Revenue Authority issued the Circular nº09/GD/DRC/2013, of 1st July, that has been published in all customs branches, and also uploaded onto the online system which states in summary that:
• The Fiscal Escort happens only and uniquely in the case of customs transit of high risk merchandise in terms of loss of revenue.
• In this case, Mozambique Revenue Authority will have to support the Escort expenses.
• It is prohibited to collect any values and deductions when this Escort is determined by customs.  

Progress update note

On 18 June 2013, Mozambique Focal Point reported that NMC is following up on the issue with the border posts of Beira and Machipanda and they would report the outcome as soon as it is available.  

Policy or regulatory NTB

No 

Location

Mozambique: Delegação Aduaneira de Machipanda (Road) (Border post)  

Reporting Country or Region

South Africa  

Country specific trade issue

No  

Date of incident

2013-05-16  

Status

Resolved  

Date of resolution

2014-03-17  

Product Description

All products

Computer-assisted translation

• English
• Arabic
• French
• Portuguese

×

Close window

 

Total value

0  

Date reported

2013-05-30 21:03  

Modified

2014-03-17 13:19