Non-Tariff Barriers

Complaint

Complaint number

NTB-000-830  

NTB Type

8.2. Administrative (Border Operating Hours, delays at border posts, etc.)  

Complaint

A Zambian Registered Tanker carrying sulphuric acid from South Africa was weighed at the Martins Drift weighbridge with the following axle masses: Steer axle - 5200 kg (legal limit 8000 kg); Drive axles - 18200 kg (legal limit 18000 kg); Trailing axles - 22800 kg (legal limit 24000 kg). Tolerance is 5% on an axle set or on GVM, in this case it would be 900 kg on the driving axle set. The weigh bridge official instructed the Driver to Park telling him that his driving axle was overloaded without the application of the 5% tolerance. It is observed that only at this weigh bridge there is no application of the 5% tolerance. In the spirit of harmonization South Africa, Zambia and Botswana the legal limits are the same with a 5% tolerance except at Martins Drift weighbridge. Kindly assist to resolve this issue at Martins Drift which is causing unnecessary loss of transit time and charges. Please note that this is not a one off incidence.  

Progress update note

1. The Meeting of NTB-Market Access Task Force 18-20 March 2020 reported that SADC has set up a Task Force to look into this matter among other NTBs.
2. On 22nd June 2020, Botswana Focal Point reported that they have contacted the relevant institution and they stated that they are still investigating on the matter and will give their feedback sometime during week 30 June - 4 July 2020  

Policy or regulatory NTB

No 

Location

Botswana: Martins Drift (Weighbridge)  

Reporting Country or Region

Zambia  

Country specific trade issue

No  

Date of incident

2018-07-16  

Status

In process  

Product Description

Chemicals, Sulphuric Acid

Computer-assisted translation

• English
• Arabic
• French
• Portuguese

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Total value

3 827.20  

Date reported

2018-07-20 17:04  

Modified

2018-11-20 09:41