Non-Tariff Barriers

Complaint

Complaint number

NTB-000-486  

NTB Type

8.7. Costly Road user charges /fees  

Complaint

We are a South African Transport Company transporting goods into DRC. We are paying on weekly basis exorbitant road duties in Botswana, Zambia, and Zimbabwe & DRC if we offload loads from Johannesburg RSA to Mutanda DRC. Our cost on a tri-axle on road fee is 1060 Pula on return trip (Martinsdrif to Kazangula and back), insurance 50P for 3 months and then about 100 Pula on a yearly level also. Zambia insurance 300 000KW for year, then toll fee for 285USD on return trip Kazangula to DRC border and back, 200 000KW carbon tax, 70 000KW for extra toll fees on road. Zimbabwe insurance 170USD for year, the 100USD on toll fees, then coupons another 10USD and environmental cost depends on the load and weight up to 160USD & 90USD carbon 3 months. Going into the DRC, border customs parking 133USD, entry fee and costing 350USD, 300USD PEAGE, 4x 150USD for toll fees going to Mutanda and coming back.
None of the foreign trucks from DRC, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Botswana or Namibia pay this cost when entering South Africa. We drive on the roads to supply clients with goods, we provide a service, the same as for the foreign transporters, but they don't pay similarly high costs when entering South Africa. We need an explanation from the countries listed above as to why is this done. At the moment, we give to a driver for one load going to DRC from JHB, 2400USD, 2500 PULA & R5000 to cover these expenses and we cannot increase our rates easily, without risking losing our clients. What can be done about this situation?  

Status note

Focal Points from Botswana, Zambia and Zimbabwe reported the current standard official charges and argued that these are in accordance established regional protocols. At the 11th meeting of the SADC Sub -Committee on Trade Facilitation held on 23 May 2013, South Africa focal point requested that the NTB be considered non actionable as they could not trace the complainant.

However, the NTB is considered resolved as it does not fall under the ' non actionable' category of complaints.  

Progress update note

1. On 23 March 2012, Zimbabwe Revenue Authority clarified the charges by Zimbabwe which are asfollows: The following are the charges lewvied in zimbabwe

a) Carbon Tax $30 Horse and $10 Trailer ZIMRA
b) Insurance $50-00 ZIMRA (If your vehicle is not insured in Zimbabwe)
c) Agric permit $10-00 Plant Inspector (when carrying plants)
d) Transit $1 per 10 km mechanical horse and trailers in tow VID(road toll fees are already included)
e) 80% of value($1) per km Rigid trucks
f) 60% of value ($1) per km Buses
g) Environmental fees (depends on classification and weight of laden trucks for harzardous substances)
i) Green from $10-$40.00 EMMA
ii) Amber from $20-$100
iii) Red from $30-$200

h) Health $20-00 Hazardous substances Port Health ;$10-30 General goods

i) Gate Pass $27.25 NLB (Beit Bridge only)

The transit or VID chrges are standard charges agreed to at regional level and these include toll fees in Zimbabwe. the foreign trucks are not charged at toll gates provided they show evidence of paying to VID.

The compliainant is not correct that foregn trucks do not pay anything in South Africa because they do pay as well.

2. Botswana reported that all road charges are collected by Botswana Unified Revenue Service (BURS) at points of entry on behalf of Department of Road Transport and Safety and the charges are standard in all countries. BURS works as a collection agency in such an instance. However, all charges on a tri-axle on road vary depending on the tar weight of the truck horse and of the trailers GVM (Gross Vehicle mass). An additional P50 is charged for insurance, and P20 road disc charge per horse (and P20 extra for each trailer attached to the horse).

3. At the 11th meeting of the SADC Sub -Committee on Trade Facilitation held on 23 May 2013 in Gaborone, Zambia reported that its road user fees are applied in accordance with established regional protocols. South Africa requested that the report be marked as "Non-actionable" because the Focal Points were not able to contact the reporter for details.  

Policy or regulatory NTB

Yes 

Location

SADC  

Reporting Country or Region

South Africa  

Country specific trade issue

No  

Date of incident

2012-02-15  

Status

Resolved  

Date of resolution

2013-05-23  

Product Description

All products

Computer-assisted translation

• English
• Arabic
• French
• Portuguese

×

Close window

 

Total value

170.00  

Date reported

2012-02-15 16:15  

Modified

2013-09-27 14:35