Complaint

Complaint number
NTB-001-254  
NTB Type
2.13. Issues related to Pre-Shipment Inspections  
Complaint
We are a company that exports groundnuts from Malawi to Kenya. On average we export three containers in a month to Kenya. Before loading the cargo into the container, the cargo is being inspecting by the MRA official who certify the accuracy of the cargo being loaded into the container for Export.

Once the container is loaded, a seal is placed on it till the container reaches the exit border post, where this seal is removed again for the second confirmation of the load being exported. This requires offloading the consignment, running the risk of contamination, damage and delays as well as cost of offloading and loading. We have been exporting to Kenya since 2022. However, since October 2024, we have been encountering these challenges of being forced to offload cargo at the exit boarder post for inspection purposes by MRA officials, both to and from. This is despite that the cargo is being loaded into the container in the presence of the MRA official at the point of origin of goods. As a result of this we are paying unnecessary costs which is expensive and at times delays the clearance process. All these costs are being encountered by the exporter/importer.

The exit border has machine scanners which have been out of service for some time now. If these were working, we could not encounter this delay and expense which is originating from the offloading and loading of the cargo. At the same times some of the exported or imported cargo gets damaged when carrying out this exercise. Hygiene is also another issue, considering the places where we are doing the off-loading and loading exercise.
A resolution needs to be found ASAP to avoid such delays, repetitive inspections and costs before exiting the country.  
Progress update note
 
Policy or regulatory NTB
No 
Location
Malawi: Songwe (Border post)  
Reporting Country or Region
Malawi  
Country specific trade issue
No  
Date of incident
2025-04-01  
Status
New  
Product Description
Shelled Groundnuts packaged in 50kg bags


 
Total value
45 900.00  
Date reported
2025-05-21 16:21  
Modified
2025-05-21 16:21  

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