Non-Tariff Barriers

Complaint

Complaint number

NTB-000-394  

NTB Type

1.1. Export subsidies  

NTM Code

A84: Inspection requirement 

Complaint

Ministry of Agriculture in Angola has implemented decree Nr 02/08. This decree requires the inspector to be present at the time of offloading, and to draw samples per load, line item and batch. As there are on average over 100 lines per container and more than one batch per line, this can result in as many as 300 samples being drawn per container. The remaining items will need to be placed in quarantine until testing is finalized and release given.
Given that on average 3 containers arrive in Luanda daily, more than 900 items from Shoprite alone will create a problem for the Lab. Their turn around time of 3 days will be impossible to maintain.
Many of the products are also time sensitive, which means that by the time final release is given, there may be very little shelf life left, if at all.
Then there is also the cost to consider. Sampling and testing is part and parcel of the business but taken to the extreme as is the case here, it becomes a very costly and ultimately damaging excercise both to the Business and the end consumer (reduced shelf life, less choice).

Suggestions:

1. Allow a South African authority (SABS, NRCS) to sample and inspect the goods before dispatching and issue a certificate against the findings, to accompany the load.

2. Allow Shoprite to send samples of the goods onboard via courier company so that the inspection can commence and thus be completed and the certificates issued by the time that the load arrives at the store level. The batch number can be verified by an independant body.  

Status note

On 7th April 2015, South Africa Focal Point reported that they had received confirmation from the complainant that NTB 394, reported by SA against Angola should be recorded as 'resolved' because what was complained about had not been enforced  

Progress update note

During the NTBs national workshop held in Angola on 30 November 2011, Angola reported that inspection, testing and final certification of imports is mandatory to establish if products are still fit for human consumption, considering the amount of time products stays enroute to destination. Clients have reported that as recently as the week of 21-27 November 2011, products were stale by the time they were delivered in the shops. The option of carrying out inspection in private warehouses has not worked because importers start selling the goods before test results are released. The food testing laboratory is working towards reducing turn around time. This NTB was reffered to ministry of Agriculture for processing.

2. At the SADC Trade Negotiating Forum meeting held on 24 May 2013, Angola reported that it applies the measure to protect health and that it is applied on a non-discriminatory manner  

Policy or regulatory NTB

Yes 

Location

Angola: At the point of offloading. (Other)  

Reporting Country or Region

South Africa  

Country specific trade issue

No  

Date of incident

2011-01-15  

Status

Resolved  

Date of resolution

2015-04-07  

Product Description

Milk and Meat based products, Fruit and Vegetable Products, Juices

Computer-assisted translation

• English
• Arabic
• French
• Portuguese

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Total value

0  

Date reported

2011-02-16 09:47  

Modified

2015-04-09 09:14