Non-Tariff Barriers

Complaint

Complaint number

NTB-000-432  

NTB Type

2.3. Issues related to the rules of origin  

Complaint

Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA) is charging duty on of fridges and freezers manufactured in Swaziland and exported into Zimbabwe under the FTA preferential trade regime querying the originating status.  

Status note

On 24th March 2016, Zimbabwe Focl Point reported that a joint verification mission on the Palfridge case was carried out during the period 19 to 21 January 2016 in Swaziland between the Swaziland Revenue Authority (SRA) and the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA). In attendance was the COMESA Secretariat and representatives from the Ministries responsible for Trade from the two countries. After deliberations and tests carried out SRA and ZIMRA agreed that he fridges and freezers are listed as goods of economic importance to Swaziland and should acquire a minimum value addition of 25% for them to qualify under COMESA preferential treatment. The freezers and fridges qualify as originating from Swaziland under COMESA as they acquired a minimum value addition of 25% should therefore be accorded preferential treatment when imported into Zimbabwe  

Progress update note

1. During the 2nd meeting of COMESA Heads of Customs Sub committee held on 19-20 June 2015 in Nairobi, the COMESA secretariat reported that earlier bilateral meetings had so far been unfruitful. Another bilateral meeting would be organised as per the Council decision of March 2015 meeting. The meeting urged to the two countries to address the situation so that trade could resume on preferential terms .

2.On 10 March 2012, Swaziland focal point reported that the matter is being handled by Trade in Swaziland and Zimbabwe Revenue Authority and Ministry of Trade and the affected company, Palfridge.
3. On March 11 2012 COMESA secretariat reported that a further verification visit had been undertaken to Swaziland in December 2011, there was some information which the company was supposed to provide to ZIMRA durng which time Palfridge was requested by ZMRA to provide additional information to assist in the processing of the complaint.
3. On 12 March 2012, Zibmabwe Revenue Authrity reported that the requested information had not been received to that date and therefore ZMRA continued to collect duties using normal rates on imports.

4. On 15 November 2012, Swaziland Focal Point responded to a suggestion by Zimbabwe Focal Point to delete this complaint from the system, to say that they are in contact with the concerned company to submit the information and as that this NTB be maintained as this is very important matter for Swaziland.  

Policy or regulatory NTB

No 

Location

Zimbabwe: Beitbridge (Government institution)  

Reporting Country or Region

Eswatini  

Country specific trade issue

No  

Date of incident

2010-09-01  

Status

Resolved  

Date of resolution

2016-03-24  

Product Description

Fridges and Freezers

Computer-assisted translation

• English
• Arabic
• French
• Portuguese

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Total value

0  

Date reported

2011-09-06 16:11  

Modified

2016-04-06 10:26