Non-Tariff Barriers

Complaint

Complaint number

NTB-000-645  

NTB Type

1.1. Export subsidies  

Complaint

I have a consignment of used vehicles imported from UK and the USA. They are being denied entry to Botswana on transit to Zimbabwe because they are not registered. Apparently Botswana does not allow unregistered vehicles to drive on their roads  

Status note

The affected company reported that they managed to get assistance from the Namibia Customs officials who escorted the consignment back into Namibia then to the Zambia border. They used the Zambia route which is 400 kilometers longer. The company reported that the Department of Transport in Botswana informed them that there won't be a waiver for vehicles not registered in SADC or COMESA region. Only COMESA and SADC registered vehicles are allowed road transit in Botswana
However, tourism vehicles registered outside COMESA and SADC and vehicles destined for Botswana are allowed to be driven in Botswana.

FESARTA confirmed that, according to the regional policy, all vehicles not registered in COMESA or SADC would have to be loaded on other vehicles.  

Progress update note

1. On 28 January 2015, Botswana focal point reported that consultations were being carried out with the relevant authority (Ministry of Transport and Communication-MTC) to reconcile if the complainant was the same stakeholder who was being assisted by MTC in order to address the issue at the border.

2. On 28 January 2015, FESARTA expressed concern that a similar NTB number 533 was still in place and pointed out that Zimbabwe also requires imported un-registered vehicles to be loaded on to other vehicles, for transit purposes. FESARTA reported that the transport industry feels that some dispensation could be given to heavy goods vehicles. This issue was raised and debated at the 2013 Road Transport Forum held in Johannesburg. FESARTA understanding is that heavy goods vehicles are not the problem. However, nothing had been done to change the status quo since 2013. It remains that, no matter which entry point is used (Walvis Bay, Durban, and Maputo), imported un-registered vehicles must be carried on other vehicles. The relevant NMC are expected to deliberate on this policy issue that negatively impacts on movement of goods in the region. The national, SADC and COMESA NTBs focal points are therefore requested to initiate dialogue to address this issue at regional level taking cognizance of practice in other regions.

3. On 27 January 2015, The SADC Secretariat reported that a number of countries required that unregistered vehicles in transit be transported by carrier. The reasons are well known to majority of transporters .Unregistered vehicles pose a number of risks which include dumping in transit countries; vat, tax, duty evasion, safety and security, insurance liability to third parties etc. The transporter and his forwarding agent are therefore expected to have been aware of these basic requirements in the transportation of used motor vehicles. It was understood that all other importers and transporters are complying with these regulations.  

Policy or regulatory NTB

No 

Location

Botswana: Ngoma (Border post)  

Reporting Country or Region

 

Country specific trade issue

No  

Date of incident

2015-01-23  

Status

Resolved  

Date of resolution

2015-02-11  

Product Description

Computer-assisted translation

• English
• Arabic
• French
• Portuguese

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Total value

15.00  

Date reported

2015-01-25 10:32  

Modified

2015-03-24 13:30