Non-Tariff Barriers

Complaint

Complaint number

NTB-000-818  

NTB Type

3. Technical barriers to trade (TBT)  

NTM Code

B42: TBT regulations on transport and storage 

Complaint

Failure to implement Article 5.8 (6.2 Road Traffic Policy) leading to variable treatment of the transport of High Cube containers with height exceeding 4.3 metres.

The transport of High Cube Containers, on “standard” deck height (1.5 metres) vehicles and trailers results in overall height of approximately 4.5 metres.
Botswana: Imposes requirement for abnormal load permits for each load.
South Africa threatens to repeal moratorium on prosecution from 1 Jan 2019
Other countries ignoring “illegal” height, but “illegality” leaves insurance threats to operators.
Zambia (4.8), Zimbabwe 4.65), Malawi (4.6); Tanzania (4.6) have increased legal height to at least 4.6 metres.
Uncertainty in region is causing growing concerns regarding viability of international transport routes amid fears of further enforcement costs and barriers.  

Progress update note

The Meeting of NTB-Market Access Task Force 18-20 March 2020 in Gaborone reported that MCBRTA standards agreed at the TSMCI of 31 October 2029 maximum vehicle height of 4.6m which will resolve this NTBs if South Africa complies with this standard.  

Policy or regulatory NTB

No 

Location

Botswana: Ministry of Transport (Government institution)  

Reporting Country or Region

South Africa  

Country specific trade issue

No  

Date of incident

2018-05-17  

Status

In process  

Product Description

All products

Computer-assisted translation

• English
• Arabic
• French
• Portuguese

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Total value

0  

Date reported

2018-05-17 10:19  

Modified

2020-02-09 23:56