Active complaints

Showing items 101 to 107 of 107
Complaint number NTB Type
Category 1. Government participation in trade & restrictive practices tolerated by governments
Category 2. Customs and administrative entry procedures
Category 5. Specific limitations
Category 6. Charges on imports
Category 7. Other procedural problems
Category 8. Transport, Clearing and Forwarding
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Date of incident Location
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EAC
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COMESA
EAC
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Actions
NTB-001-218 2.6. Additional taxes and other charges 2024-10-29 Tanzania: Dar es Salaam New View
Complaint: Tanzania's Finance Act 2024 introduced an excise duty for ‘’imported’’ products under HS Code 32.08 (Paints and varnishes including enamels and lacquers) of T Shs. 500 per kilo. However, this excise duty has NOT been imposed on any local manufacturers of the same products.

We intend to import items under this heading made in Kenya. Under the spirit of the EAC Trade protocols, which allows for free movement of goods, no duties, taxes or other non-tariff barriers should be imposed on any goods from a EAC partner country that a local manufacturer does not pay.

Therefore we believe this excise duty represents a huge disincentive to Kenyan manufacturers and hindrance to free trade within the EAC.
After writing to the TRA for assistance in the above issue, we were told that the Excise duty is chargeable to all goods falling under that heading even if it is of Kenyan origin (see our letter and their response)
We therefore request your assistance on way forward for us to import items under the HS codes mentioned from Kenya without being subject to this new excise duty of 500 T Shs. Per kilo.
 
NTB-001-220 2.3. Issues related to the rules of origin 2024-07-01 Uganda: Uganda Revenue Authorities Kenya In process View
Complaint: Certificate of Origin Declined (Issues of RoO)
Uganda has declined to recognize the Certificate of Origin for chewing gum manufactured by Kenafric Industries transferred to M/S Glorre International Limited on concern that the manufacturing process does not exceed the provisions in Rule 7 of the EAC Rules of Origin, 2015. Kenya NMC suggests that the process involves the use of machinery and technical expertise. Therefore, the process of manufacturing chewing gum exceeds the provisions under Rule 7 of the EAC rules of origin.
 
Progress: The Republic of Kenya informed the meeting that chewing gum manufactured by Kenafric qualifies to be granted preferential tariff treatment by the Uganda Revenue Authority and reiterated that the manufacturing process is substantial and qualifies to be granted tariff treatment.

The Senior Officials noted that the Republic of Uganda wrote to the Republic of Kenya requesting for some information that would guide them to make an informed decision. The meeting also noted that the Republic of Kenya had responded to the Republic of Uganda and Uganda committed to consider response and revert.
 
NTB-001-221 3. Technical barriers to trade (TBT)
B8: Conformity assessment related to TBT
2024-03-10 Kenya: Tanzania New View
Complaint: The Neelkant Tanzania company that exports its salt product to East African countries has experience difficulty to import its salt product in Kenya, because Kenya does not recognize the standard certificate issued by TBS claiming that it does not qualify, for that case, KBS have been charging six thousand shillings for each shipment from Tanzania. TBS and KBS have harmonized their standards and have been implemented for some period of time till recently  
NTB-001-222 8.8. Issues related to transit 2024-12-06 Zimbabwe: Beitbridge South Africa New View
Complaint: When submitting invoices to declare goods transiting through Zimbabwe (RIT) for import into Malawi, it was brought to our attention that Zimbabwe requires an Ozone Depleting Substances permit (ODS) for air conditioners, refrigeration units and parts thereof which comes at an exorbitant cost. These are transit goods through Zimbabwe and not fully functional at the time until they are assembled within the importing country therefore it is our understanding that no permit would be required in Zimbabwe .  
NTB-001-223 8.6. Vehicle standards 2024-12-11 Uganda: Mutukula EAC New View
Complaint: Our company has been engaged in the transportation of Ammonium Nitrate Prill (ANDP) from Tanzania to Uganda using flatbed trailers for several years. Recently, we received notification from the Security Officers at Mutukula stating that the transportation of this product on flat decks is no longer permitted. Instead, we are now required to utilize high-sided, closed-box trailers or containers.

We understand that these regulations are in place to ensure safety and compliance; however, this change represents a significant investment for transporters, both in acquiring new equipment and in adjusting transport rates. In light of this, we kindly request that the relevant laws and specifications pertaining to the transportation of this material be made available to the public. Access to this information would greatly assist us in directing our efforts and resources effectively. Thank you for your consideration.
 
NTB-001-224 2.8. Lengthy and costly customs clearance procedures 2024-11-22 South Africa: South African Revenue Authority Mauritius New View
Complaint: Mauritius Customs is unable to accept the SADC Certificate ZA PQ 56085 issued by Customs in South Africa due to missing of specimen signature at their level. The Mauritius Customs sent a request to RSA Customs to get a confirmation of the signature .Up to date they have not yet received any reply.  
NTB-001-225 5.3. Export taxes 2024-12-28 Uganda: Malaba Uganda New View
Complaint: The Kenyan government has violated the East African Community trade agreement and has begun to impose consumption taxes on products from other East African Community countries.  
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