| Complaint number |
NTB Type
|
Date of incident |
Location |
Reporting country or region (additional) |
Status |
Actions |
|
NTB-000-812 |
8.2. Administrative (Border Operating Hours, delays at border posts, etc.) |
2017-11-17 |
Tanzania: Tunduma |
Rwanda |
Resolved
2018-11-16 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Delays in releasing trucks at Tunduma & Rusumo border post by Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA) as a result of manual lodging of import documents |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
The NTB was resolved during the meeting of SCTIFI of 16th November,2018 |
|
|
NTB-000-811 |
3. Technical barriers to trade (TBT)
B11: Prohibition for TBT reasons
Policy/Regulatory |
2017-10-02 |
Kenya: State Department of Trade |
Rwanda |
Resolved
2018-11-16 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Kenya banned exports of scrap metals destined to Rwanda in accordance with scrap metal Act NO. 1 OF 2015 |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
Kenya informed the SCTIFI in November 2018 that the scrap metal is a restricted business in Kenya and that Rwanda traders require a permit to transfer the scrap metal from Kenya. Rwanda informed the meeting that NTB is resolved. |
|
|
NTB-000-810 |
8.7. Costly Road user charges /fees |
2017-10-02 |
Tanzania: Tunduma |
Rwanda |
Resolved
2018-10-31 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Escorted trucks carrying Zambia brown sugar and white maize in transit to Rwanda are forced to pay to Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA) Tunduma border station a sum of Tsh 960,000 to accompany trucks. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
The Committee on Customs during its meeting in May noted that Mtera route is the shortest to transit to Rwanda and the route was not yet gazetted. It was recommended to geo-map all the transit routes and gazette the Mtera route.
The Mtera route was gazetted vide Legal Notice No. 48 of 10th May, 2018. The Regional Forum on NTBs at its meeting in October, 2018 was informed that Trucks to Kigali are no longer required to have escorts.
The NTB was resolved. |
|
|
NTB-000-809 |
2.3. Issues related to the rules of origin |
2017-06-01 |
Uganda: Uganda Revenue Authority |
Kenya |
Resolved
2018-11-16 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Lack of preferential treatment of hats and other headgear, hand knitted and crocheted by Vajas manufacturers ltd in Kenya and exported into Uganda. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
The SCTIFI meeting held on 16 November 2018 was informed that Uganda had reported that the Company manufacturing the referenced products was under duty remission regime and hence should attract full CET but it was later confirmed that it is not under duty remission and the Uganda Revenue Authority started granting preferential Treatment. The NTB was resolved. |
|
|
NTB-000-808 |
2.3. Issues related to the rules of origin |
2017-06-01 |
|
Kenya |
Resolved
2018-11-16 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Lack of preferential treatment of Edible Oil and products manufactured in Kenya by all edible oil manufacturers in Kenya when exported to Tanzania. The products are being subjected to full CET duties by Rwanda and Tanzania. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
The SCTIFI in November, 2018 was informed that where the certificate of origin is queried, goods should not be stopped from moving but the custom administration should call for a bond as security of the goods until the verification exercise is complete.
Tanzania reported that she complied with the recommendations of the Verification except for products under Rule 11 (Separation of materials) of the EAC Rules of Origin.
Kenya reported that the NTB for Lubricants & edible oils has been resolved. |
|
|
NTB-000-807 |
2.3. Issues related to the rules of origin |
2017-06-01 |
Tanzania: Tanzania Revenue Authority |
Kenya |
Resolved
2018-05-12 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Denial of preferential treatment on automotive products manufactured in Kenya by Toyota Tsusho East Africa Ltd. (TTEA) when exported to Tanzania i.e. for both Toyota Land cruiser 79 pickups and Hino trucks and buses. The products are being subjected to full CET duties. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
During the 25th EAC Regional Forum on NTBs held from 9- 12 May 2018, Tanzania reported that she observed EAC RoO on Motor vehicles which grants preferential treatment for automotive products assembled in EAC Partner States. Kenya reported during the Forum that this issue was resolved. |
|
|
NTB-000-806 |
8.7. Costly Road user charges /fees |
2015-04-01 |
Tanzania: Ministry of Transport |
|
Resolved
2018-02-09 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Tanzania requirement that trucks passing three weigh bridges are required to buy stickers at US$40 per sticker despite the fact that trucks are clearly marked transit in the central corridor. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
Today, 10:10
During the Extra Ordinary SCTIFI taht sat in February, 2018, the USD 40 sticker fee was waived with immediate Effect. Hence the NTB was resolved. |
|
|
NTB-000-805 |
Existence of several weighbridge stations in the central and Northern corridors. |
2014-04-01 |
EAC |
EAC |
Resolved
2019-08-21 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Rwanda, Uganda and Burundi are affected by the existence of several weighbridge stations in the central and Northern corridors (Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda). |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
During the meeting of Focal Points held on 19- 21 August 2019 , EAC NTBs Focal Points reported that this matter had been resolved. The weigh bridges have been reduced to 3 in the central corridor . |
|
|
NTB-000-802 |
2.6. Additional taxes and other charges |
2018-02-28 |
Zimbabwe: Ministry of Industry & Commerce Zimbabwe |
Malawi |
Resolved
2019-10-12 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
CORI Ltd visited Zimbabwe last year to explore their local market to check if there is potential for their products (cooking oil). CORI Ltd discovered that they could not export cooking oil into Zimbabwe as the government in Zimbabwe has instituted Statutory Instrument (S.I 64) that banned imports of a variety of products (cooking oil is one of them).
Zimbabwe also has 40% (or $0.50/litre) duty on cooking oil imports |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
During the national workshop to launch the SSMS tool for Zimbabwe and training for NMC, Zimbabwe reported that the consolidated SI 122 removed the requirement for import and export licences on some products including cooking oil. |
|
|
NTB-000-801 |
2.6. Additional taxes and other charges |
2018-02-28 |
Zambia: Ministry of Trade. |
Malawi |
Resolved
2019-08-20 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
1. CORI (Capital Oil Refining Industries) Ltd intend to export cooking oil and soya bean cake into Zambia. However, the
company has been advised to pay 5% SGS surcharge on export of its product into Zambia.
2. The company (CORI Ltd) is also considering to register a company in Zambia in which case they have been advised that they require an import permit from Zambian Authorities for every consignment (of cooking oil and soya bean cake) that will be sent to Zambia. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
During the bilateral consultations between Zambia and Malawi at the TFTA NTBs Focal points meeting held on 19- 21 August 2019 , Malawi confirmed that the issues has been resolved. |
|
|
NTB-000-801 |
2.6. Additional taxes and other charges |
2018-02-28 |
Zambia: Ministry of Trade. |
Malawi |
Resolved
2019-08-20 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
1. CORI (Capital Oil Refining Industries) Ltd intend to export cooking oil and soya bean cake into Zambia. However, the
company has been advised to pay 5% SGS surcharge on export of its product into Zambia.
2. The company (CORI Ltd) is also considering to register a company in Zambia in which case they have been advised that they require an import permit from Zambian Authorities for every consignment (of cooking oil and soya bean cake) that will be sent to Zambia. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
During the bilateral consultations between Zambia and Malawi at the 5th TFTA NTBs Focal points meeting, Malawi confirmed that the issues has been resolved. We again propose that it be marked as resolved. |
|
|
NTB-000-800 |
2.3. Issues related to the rules of origin |
2017-11-01 |
|
|
Resolved
2019-10-15 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Lack of preferential treatment to Cerelac product manufactured in Kenya and exported into Tanzania on the basis that Kenya via Legal Notice No.EAC/70/2017 was granted stay application of CET in respect to raw sugar.
EAC Legal Notice No.EAC/70/2017 granted Kenya duty remission on raw sugar not a stay. For a company to import, it has to follow due process of gazettement. So far no company has applied, no DRS application received and no company has been gazetted to import raw sugar.
|
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
The Regional Monitoring Committee held on 15th October, 2019 agreed that the NTB was resolved. |
|
|
NTB-000-799 |
2.6. Additional taxes and other charges
Policy/Regulatory |
2018-01-08 |
Kenya: Namanga |
|
Resolved
2018-11-16 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Tanzania does not give preferential treatment to printed labels manufactured in Kenya by SKANEM LTD and exported into Tanzania. Entry No.TZNG18-1016642. Export suspended. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
During the SCTIFI meeting held on 16 November2018, Tanzania and Kenya reported that the two Partner States had
identified and resolved the issues causing the NTB |
|
|
Products:
|
4821.90: Paper or paperboard labels of all kinds, non-printed |
|
|
NTB-000-798 |
8.5. Infrastructure (Air, Port, Rail, Road, Border Posts,) |
2018-01-25 |
Zimbabwe: Forbes |
Zambia |
Resolved
2018-02-09 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Due to the topographic nature of the Forbes Border Post, trucks cannot be parked and cleared at the Border as it would create congestion. The trucks are allowed to proceed out of the Valley where the border is situated and must park in Customs Approved Yards in Mutare. Dry Cargo (Flat Decks) have a Dry Port Yard whilst Petroleum Tankers must park at the RMS Yard (Railway Maintenance Yard Customs created the yards to enable them to clear the loads.
1. Transporters are charged a fee to park in these RMS yards. This is an unnecessary charge and there is no evidence that the funds are used for the upkeep of the yard.
2. Despite the fact that this yard houses Dangerous Goods there is limited access control at a rickety gate. The perimeter is not suitably fenced. The view of the tankers is blocked from the main road by strategically placed defunct railway wagons. There is no access control and the yard is surrounded by a maze of tunnels and hedges where trade in stolen fuel is conducted. Third Party vehicles are allowed access to the yard and unfortunately siphoning from side tanks is evident. Given the lack of security staff, fencing and lighting, the situation worsens at nightfall. Recently truckers have been plagued by theft of items from trucks eg batteries from the trucks.
3. There are no facilities for the drivers. The congestion at Forbes is already well documented due to the failing Ascudya system and inefficiencies in the Customs Sealing process and drivers are stuck a minimum of 48 hours in this yard. There are no ablutions and limited access to running water. It is an inappropriate holding yard where a driver cannot rest before leaving on the next leg of his journey. When it rains, the area becomes a muddy morass
There are several truck yards in the area that are well equipped and offer the drivers clean facilities. Customs are requested to not charge for the RMS yard, clean it up and offer the appropriate security and facilities, or allow vehicles to park in other yards.
Transporters have brought this situation to the authorities before but to no avail. Its seems there are vested interests in keeping valuable cargo parked in this insecure area. Drivers are spending too long in filthy and dangerous conditions while being charged for a service that forms part of Customs responsibilities. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
On 9 Beruary 2018, Zimbabwe Revenue Authority advised that Vehicles with uncleared goods are sent to park at a Depot licenced and bonded to keep goods before Customs clearance. This is a privately owned premises which does not belong to Customs and therefore the owner charges for accommodating the trucks.
2. The concerns raised for RMS have since been addressed. Tankers are as from 7.2.18 being parked at a new premises (truck yard) while awaiting finalization of clearance process. The new premises has a perimeter fence, ablution facilities, showers and CCTVs |
|
|
NTB-000-797 |
1.14. Lack of coordination between government institutions |
2018-01-02 |
South Africa: The DTI |
South Africa |
Resolved
2019-08-22 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Distell, a Tape Town based exporting company is experiencing delays and high costs of processing SAD500 entries and SADC certificates for their wine exports to Zimbabwe. The current procedure where the Distell driver cannot take the SAD500 entry and SADC certificate to Customs to have it stamped and signed over the counter is cumbersome and costly for the company. The company has to wait for at least 2 days for either the release notification or the stamped and signed SADC certificates. This leads to the truck waiting at the depot for the documents, which results to either standing time cost at the depot or standing time at the border.
The requirement is as follows: Distell Company loads Bulk orders in Tanktainers and Drums from Monis in Paarl or Adam Tas in Stellenbosch, Cape Town which goes by road to Zimbabwe. Currently export documents can only be done by the Freight forwarder immediately after the Tanktainer or Drums are loaded. Export documentation cannot be processed earlier, as company has to wait for the final weight loaded into the truck. The alternative method to use flow meters and cut off the loading on a specific amount of liters is used because it is does produce accurate measurements.
Actual Current process for Bulk - Tanktainers (Tankerservices transport)
- Truck to be arranged for loading very early on a Tuesday morning @ 07:00am
- Most of the time 2 to 3 truckloads which will load one after the other.
- The following is all also done on the Tuesday:
o The wine is loaded.
o Distell invoices and forward the relevant documentation to Imperial Logistics in Johannesburg.
o Imperial Logistics processes the Customs entry via EDI.
- Once EDI release is received (after at least 2 days), Imperial Logistics sends the Release notification via e-mail.
- Distell advises Tanker Services to collect the relevant documentation and leave for the border.
- Imperial Logistics will have the SADC certificate stamped at the border.
- Tanker services driver to collect the original SADC certificates at the border.
A permanent solution for exporters in Cape Town to provide an over the counter service for our SAD500 & SADC entries is required. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
Zimbabwe Focal Point reported that the NTB had been resolved . South Africa was issuing SAD500 on time |
|
|
Products:
|
2204.10: Sparkling wine of fresh grapes |
|
|
NTB-000-792 |
8.7. Costly Road user charges /fees |
2017-11-01 |
Zambia: Chililabombwe |
|
Resolved
2019-01-11 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Transporters are being charged a motor vehicle fee by Chililabombwe Municipal Council. There is no justification for such a fee since the transporters do not receive any services from the Council. The transporters are travelling on national roads, which are maintained by the government and not the Council. The transporters pay road user charges to the government to maintain the roads. According to NTB-000-480, this was addressed on the 7 September 2016, but this problem has emerged again since 20th October 2017. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
Zambia reported that the by-law has now been revoked and councils have stopped charging the said fees. |
|
|
NTB-000-791 |
8.6. Vehicle standards
Policy/Regulatory |
2017-11-10 |
Botswana: Kazungula Road |
|
Resolved
2018-04-10 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Botswana requires that transporters get exemption permits issued either in Francistown or Gaborone, the same original permits must then be couriered to Kazungula where the permit then must be presented to the Kazungula PTC for authorisation and stamping, then to the Botswana Power Corporation for authorisation and stamping, only then can the truck proceed to Kazungula weighbridge and present the permit and be inspected and weighed.These permits are only valid for 7 days so the window in which to use the same permit is very narrow, especially since there are sometimes issues where Zambia Revenue Authority Asycuda system experiences failures and down time.
Further, Transporters are required to put up abnormal signs and red flags on the trucks before they can be released by the Kazungula weighbridge staff. The weighbridge does not permit trucks with over 4.3 Metres high is not permit and yet most of the trailers which the transporters run are just under 4.4 Meters high with a High Cube container on board.
There are no bridges or low power lines, to which a High cube container with a height of 4.6 Metres , would pose a threat to on the entire route from Zambia through Botswana and South Africa .
This is another one of many hurdles being put in the road which is increasing the costs of regional trade and is yet another barrier to trade on our corridor to South Africa. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
On 10th April 2018 , Botswana Focal Point reported that Botswana is in compliance with the Regional Standard Dimensions of Vehicles in all its aspects; and specifically the 4.3m overall height.
Exemption permits for over height vehicles is issued from two (2) central locations i.e. Gaborone and Francistown. However Botswana has eased the problem on transporters by issuing Annual exemptions which means the transporter need only to apply once in a year for his Fleet crossing into Botswana. The exemption has no limitations on the number of trips the transporter undertakes nor when the trips are made. The frequent users of the corridor are at liberty to apply for a one year permit.
Transporters are expected to apply for the permit either through their representatives or agents well in advance to enable Department of Roads to process the permit on time. Copies are sent to all the weighbridges along the route that the truck will follow.For safety purposes abnormal signs and red flags are supposed to be mounted on the vehicles before they are allowed onto the public road. |
|
|
NTB-000-789 |
2.10. Inadequate or unreasonable customs procedures and charges |
2017-10-31 |
Zimbabwe: Chirundu |
Zimbabwe |
Resolved
2018-01-22 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
There is a problem on processing of Temporary Import Permits since Zimbabwe Revenue Authority came up with a system of doing more Temporary Import Permits for one vehicle. Transporters are now made to write 3 Temporary Import Permits on one truck. 1 Temporary Import Permit for the horse and 2 for the 2 trailers. Processing the Temporary Import Permits is taking too long , for example, Temporary Import Permits for 93 & 98 which we submitted at 01:20hrs ( 31st October 2017) were not ready by mid morning 1st November 2017. Another Temporary Import Permit submitted at 1900hrs last in the night of 31st was only done at 03:15 hrs in the morning of 1st November 2017 .
ZIMRA is now making the clearing agent do a TIP for every unit of the truck. The truck itself then the trailer as well. In the case of an interlink, that is 3 TIPS. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
On 5 December 2017, Zimbabwe Focal Point confirmed the feedback by Revenue Authority that the client should approach the Station Manager for the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority at Chirundu One Stop Border Post to be guided on the proper forms to use. With this explanation issue should be taken as resolved. |
|
|
Products:
|
8709.19: Works trucks, self-propelled, not fitted with lifting or handling equipment, of the type used in factories, warehouses, dock areas or airports for short distance transport of goods; tractors of the type used on railway station platforms (excl. electrical |
|
|
NTB-000-789 |
2.10. Inadequate or unreasonable customs procedures and charges |
2017-10-31 |
Zimbabwe: Chirundu |
Zimbabwe |
Resolved
2018-01-22 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
There is a problem on processing of Temporary Import Permits since Zimbabwe Revenue Authority came up with a system of doing more Temporary Import Permits for one vehicle. Transporters are now made to write 3 Temporary Import Permits on one truck. 1 Temporary Import Permit for the horse and 2 for the 2 trailers. Processing the Temporary Import Permits is taking too long , for example, Temporary Import Permits for 93 & 98 which we submitted at 01:20hrs ( 31st October 2017) were not ready by mid morning 1st November 2017. Another Temporary Import Permit submitted at 1900hrs last in the night of 31st was only done at 03:15 hrs in the morning of 1st November 2017 .
ZIMRA is now making the clearing agent do a TIP for every unit of the truck. The truck itself then the trailer as well. In the case of an interlink, that is 3 TIPS. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
On 22 January 2018, FESARTA sent email to Focal Point, Zimbabwe advisng that the NTBs had been resolved as per advice from ZIMRA. ZIMRA advised complainant to approach the ZIMRA office at Chirundu for assistance since this was an issue concerning lack of information on how to go about the procedure. The complainant was guided on the proper forms to use. |
|
|
Products:
|
8709.19: Works trucks, self-propelled, not fitted with lifting or handling equipment, of the type used in factories, warehouses, dock areas or airports for short distance transport of goods; tractors of the type used on railway station platforms (excl. electrical |
|
|
NTB-000-788 |
2.3. Issues related to the rules of origin |
2017-06-01 |
Ethiopia: All Ethiopian banks. |
Egypt |
Resolved
2020-07-09 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Ethiopian banks are requiring invoices for sales to Ethiopian customers to be stamped by a Chamber of Commerce in Egypt as validation for letters of credit, which is contrary to COMESA rules. Indeed, as per Rule 10 of the COMESA Protocol on Rules of Origin, the only documentary evidence to demonstrate that a good originates from a COMESA Member State is a certificate of origin (not invoices). Consequently, any company should be able to issue an invoice from any country inside or outside the COMESA region, as long as the origin of the products themselves is correctly documented according to COMESA rules through a certificate of origin. Ethiopian banks should comply with Rule 10 of the COMESA Protocol on Rules of Origin and stop requiring invoices to be stamped by predetermined entities (including, inter alia, by a Chamber of Commerce in Egypt). |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
On 9 July , Egypt reported that Egypt accepted Ethiopia feedback which is compliant with the COMESA Rules of Origin |
|
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