Non-Tariff Barriers

Complaint

Complaint number

NTB-000-658  

NTB Type

8.8. Issues related to transit  

Complaint

Containerized cargo is being subjected to Imposition of 4 weighbridges instead of agreed 2 as agreed by Partner States.  

Status note

During the 45th SCTIFI Rwanda reported that Weighbridges exceed the designated number of two (2) that trucks should go through both in the Central Corridor (7 weighbridges) and the Northern Corridor (8 to 9 weighbridges);
(a) 5 Weighbridges in Kenya which are located at Dongo Kundu, near the Port of Mombasa Mariakani, Mlolongo, Gigil, Busia mobile weighbridge (if you pass through Busia border) or Webuye (if you pass through Malaba border). At each of these weighbridges, the track is weighed which wastes time.
(b) 3 to 4 weighbridges in Uganda: If passed through Malaba, there is Malaba weighbridge (If passed through Busia border there is no weighbridge), Iganga, Lukaya and Mbarara.
(c) 8 Weighbridges in Tanzania which are located at Kurasini, Vigwaza, Mikese, Dumila, Dodoma, Singida, Kahama, and Nyakahura.

The Republic of Kenya informed the meeting that trucks are weighed once at the Mariakani weighbridge as per the Presidential Directive. However, Kenya took note of the complaint and committed to consult the Ministry of Transport on the 5 Weighbridges and report to the 38th RMC.

The United Republic of Tanzania submitted that transit trucks are weighed at three weighbridges: Vigwaza, Singida and Nyakahura.

It was noted that the challenge is with truck drivers who sometimes do not differentiate between the weighbridges dedicated for transit vehicles and the ones dedicated for domestic vehicles and hence noted the need for weighbridges for international transport to bear clear signage or color to be differentiated from local weighbridges.

Senior Officials noted the need to sensitize the truck drivers and weigh bridge officers on the weighbridges required for the international transfers.

The SCTIFI directed Secretariat to develop a mechanism to differentiate transit truck weighbridges from domestic cargo trucks by putting clear signage or colouring them differently and circulating the information to stakeholders / transporters and report to the 46th Sectoral Council for Trade, Industry, Finance and Investment (EAC / SCTIFI 45 / Directive / 54);  

Progress update note

1. On 18th March 2015, Kenya Focal Point reported that Kenya adheres to the decision of Ministers and containerized trucks are weighed at points of entry and exit. Containerized Trucks are weighed on motion in all weighbridges except at Malaba. Containerized trucks whose cargo have moved due to topography are the only ones which are diverted to spread load evenly in line with the axle to take care of the roads


2. The 16th EAC NTBs Forum held in Kigali, urged Kenya to adhere to the Council decision for Partner States to have two weigh bridges, one at the point of entry and another at point of exit and also agreed that the NTB be handled during the bilateral meeting in January, 2015.The time frame for addressing this issue is March 2015.  

Policy or regulatory NTB

Yes 

Location

Kenya: Along corridor (Weighbridge)  

Reporting Country or Region

Rwanda  

Country specific trade issue

No  

Date of incident

2014-12-11  

Status

Resolved  

Date of resolution

2015-11-30  

Product Description

All products

Computer-assisted translation

• English
• Arabic
• French
• Portuguese

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Total value

0  

Date reported

2015-02-06 15:59  

Modified

2016-03-29 13:45