Non-Tariff Barriers

Complaint

Complaint number

NTB-001-025  

NTB Type

8.1. Government Policy and regulations  

Complaint

The Rwanda truck carrying Fertilizer TPT from Tanzania to Malawi Lilongwe was refused to enter Malawi and charged USD 1000 for violating third country rule a provision that is being applied betwen Zambia and Malawi to protect their national transport operators against foreign transporters not registered in Malawi. This is a discrimination against other trucks transporting goods to Malawi  

Status note

The COMESA workshop on Capacity building for Member States held on 2- 6 April 2023, reviewed this matter and recommended that the Secretariat to recommend to Rwanda to regard this NTB as resolved considering that there are Legal Instruments supporting its implementation. The relevant transport instruments would be shared with Rwanda.  

Progress update note

1. On 14 September 2021, Malawi Focal Point advised that the complaint was being attended and would revert with concrete feedback as soon as possible.
2. On 13 October advised that "The Third Country Rule is operational in Malawi and is supported by the bilateral Agreements in force between Malawi and its neighbouring countries. The charges were gazetted as per the attached Regulations" However it is observed that this is a Non tariff Measure . It is recommended that The COMESA Secretariat NTB Unit facilitates consultations with relevant authorities to get this matter considered .
3. The COMESA workshop on Capacity building for Member States held on 2- 6 April 2023, reviewed this matter and recommended that the Secretariat to recommend to Rwanda to regard this NTB as resolved considering that there are Legal Instruments supporting its implementation. The relevant transport instruments would be shared with Rwanda.  

Policy or regulatory NTB

No 

Location

Malawi: SONGWE KARONGA BOX 8 WEIGHBRIDGE (Weighbridge)  

Reporting Country or Region

Rwanda  

Country specific trade issue

No  

Date of incident

2021-08-10  

Status

Resolved  

Date of resolution

2023-04-06  

Product Description

Rwanda Truck Cargo carrying fertilizer TPT

Computer-assisted translation

• English
• Arabic
• French
• Portuguese

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Total value

MK840 000.00  

Date reported

2021-08-23 09:57  

Modified

2023-08-28 10:47