Resolved complaints

Showing items 361 to 380 of 818
Complaint number NTB Type
Category 1. Government participation in trade & restrictive practices tolerated by governments
Category 2. Customs and administrative entry procedures
Category 5. Specific limitations
Category 6. Charges on imports
Category 7. Other procedural problems
Category 8. Transport, Clearing and Forwarding
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Date of incident Location
COMESA
EAC
SADC
Reporting country or region (additional)
COMESA
EAC
SADC
Status Actions
NTB-000-425 8.7. Costly Road user charges /fees
Policy/Regulatory
2011-07-21 Democratic Republic of the Congo: Kasumbalesa South Africa Resolved
2016-10-07
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Complaint: DRC transit charges are too exhorbitant. For example, a truck delivering to Tenke, will have to pay $340 + 750 + 125 + 125 = $1340 for one return trip.That is, providing the truck doesn’t wait more than one day at the Zambian border.
There have been many complaints about it, but little seems to be done. There are ongoing efforts by the RFA and other stakeholders to get the toll fees as low as possible yielded some positive resulted in a once off reduction of the fees which still are too high. Each trip through Kasumbalesa to Lubumbashi costs a staggering US$ 125.There is need for transparency and fair toll fees at regional level.
 
Resolution status note: FESARTA reported that the NTB does not exist at present.  
NTB-000-428 2.3. Issues related to the rules of origin 2011-08-01 Tanzania: Mbeya Kenya Resolved
2013-10-17
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Complaint: EXPORT OF PLASTIC FROM KENYA TO TANZANIA ARE SUBJECTED TO 25% DUTY  
Resolution status note: At the 12th Regional Forum on NTBs held from 14th – 17th, October 2013, at EAC Headquarters, Arusha, Tanzania, the EAC secretariat reported that a report of the verification mission was considered by the meeting of SCTIFI following which , letters were sent out to Partner States and revenue authorities informing them that plastic products are supposed to benefit from preferential treatment.  
Products: 3905.21: Vinyl acetate copolymers, in aqueous dispersion  
NTB-000-467 2.14. Other 2011-08-08 Zimbabwe: Kariba Zimbabwe Resolved
2011-10-25
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Complaint: On the 8/8/2011 a trader came with 45 pairs of slippers that is plastic footwear which qualifies the product to be traded using Comesa certificate of Origin under code 6404 since the onset of the project, the trader was charged duty of $72.00 calculated from total value of $31.10 yet she was only to pay vat & p-tax of $7.76, after discussions with Customs Manager she then paid $14.00 for vat, p-tax,and storage charge of $6.00 for 3days. from this day custom then banned importation of plastic footwear under this code 6404 and this ban is only at Kariba border Post, Zimbabwe, yet on Zambian side they give Comesa Certificate of Origin for the same product ,this is now promoting smuggling of this product along Zambezi River if that person dont want to Chirundu route  
Resolution status note: Zimbabwe Revenue Authority reported that the product Plastic Slippers is classified in tariff 6402.2000 which is not on the COMESA STR Common List of products therefore customs officers could not clear under that instrument. However, following consultations between officials from Zimbabwe and Zambia, products in HS code 6402 will be put up for consideration to be included on the COMESA STR list of products at the next reveiw meeting.  
Products: 6404.19: Footwear with outer soles of rubber or plastics and uppers of textile materials (excl. sports footwear, incl. tennis shoes, basketball shoes, gym shoes, training shoes and the like, and toy footwear)  
NTB-000-430 2.3. Issues related to the rules of origin 2011-08-23 Tanzania: Lungalunga Kenya Resolved
2013-10-17
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Complaint: plastic bags doubted as to the rule of origin despite the existence of rule of origin certificate  
Resolution status note: At the 12th Regional Forum on NTBs held from 14th – 17th, October 2013, at EAC Headquarters, Arusha, Tanzania, the EAC secretariat reported that a report of the verification mission was considered by the meeting of SCTIFI following which , letters were sent out to Partner States and revenue authorities informing them that plastic products are supposed to benefit from preferential treatment.  
NTB-000-678 2.3. Issues related to the rules of origin
Policy/Regulatory
2011-08-25 Egypt: Egyptian Customs Authority - Ministry of Finance Kenya Resolved
2016-02-08
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Complaint: Non acceptance of COMESA certificates of origin on mill white sugar, LG Electronics (TV sets) originating from Kenya  
Resolution status note: On 8th February 2016 , Focal Point for Egypt reported that the NTB be considered resolved on the basis of a recommendation from a joint visit on the spot verification for Mill White Sugar and LG products (TV Sets) was undertaken that White sugar & LG Electronics (TV sets) qualify for preferential treatment according to COMESA protocol of ROO.  
NTB-000-444 1.1. Export subsidies
A83: Certification requirement
Policy/Regulatory
2011-09-02 Kenya: Ministry of Agriculture Uganda Resolved
2014-12-11
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Complaint: Non recognition by Kenya for SPS certificates issued by Uganda for tea destined for Mombasa action.  
Resolution status note: At the 16th EAC regional forum on non tariff barriers held in Kigali in December 2014, Kenya reported that the requirement would be abolished. Kenya reported that tea destined for auction at Mombasa for export must be warehoused in a bonded Customs warehouse (Transit Go down) of their choice. This NTB is therefore resolved  
NTB-000-445 2.8. Lengthy and costly customs clearance procedures 2011-09-02 Burundi: Revenue Authority Tanzania Resolved
2012-04-26
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Complaint: Burundi customs system does not interface within the customs’ systems in the Revenue Authorities in Partner States  
Resolution status note: Burundi and Rwanda NMC consultations held during the 3rd meeting of the Tripartite NTBs Focal Points and NMC Chairs in Dar-es-salaam on 19-20 April 2012 concluded that the issue had been resolved after Rwanda bureau of standards recognised that Burundi water meets international standards.  
NTB-000-448 8.8. Issues related to transit 2011-09-02 EAC Rwanda Resolved
2014-12-11
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Complaint: Inadequate Police Escort mechanism.  
Resolution status note: At the 16th EAC regional forum on non tariff barriers held in Kigali in December 2014, EAC Secretariat reported that the All Partner States were providing police escorts. This NTB is therefore resolved  
NTB-000-442 7.8. Consular and Immigration Issues 2011-09-03 Kenya: Immigration Department Rwanda Resolved
2014-12-11
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Complaint: Lengthy procedures for issuing work permits by Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania Immigration departments.As per BCI 2008 ,business take between 1-5 months to acquire work permits for workers sourced from another EAC country.Businesses are forced to employ locals who may lack required skills.  
Resolution status note: At the 16th EAC regional forum on non tariff barriers held in Kigali in December 2014, EAC Secretariat reported that the Kenya had abolished this requirement. This NTB is therefore resolved  
NTB-000-446 8.7. Costly Road user charges /fees 2011-09-03 EAC Kenya Resolved
2015-09-24
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Complaint: Port Charges are not harmonized. Port charges should be benchmarked with international port charges  
Resolution status note: Kenya and URT submitted the Port procedures manual to the EAC Secretariat.  
NTB-000-447 2.8. Lengthy and costly customs clearance procedures 2011-09-03 EAC Rwanda Resolved
2016-06-30
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Complaint: Customs working hours are not harmonized  
Resolution status note: Customs working hours have been harmonized by OSBPs  
NTB-000-450 2.11. Lack of control in Customs infrastructure 2011-09-03 EAC Uganda Resolved
2014-12-11
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Complaint: There is lack of verification sheds and parking yards at most border posts in the EAC partner states.  
Resolution status note: At the 16th NTBs forum held in Kigali in December 2014, EAC Secretariat reported that the 15th EAC Forum on NTBs noted that the ongoing construction of OBSP was addressing this NTB and Partner states reported that construction of OSBPs was at advanced stages at key border posts. This NTB is therefore resolved  
NTB-000-451 8.7. Costly Road user charges /fees
Policy/Regulatory
2011-09-03 Kenya: Mombasa sea port Uganda Resolved
2014-12-11
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Complaint: Additional charges by Container freight stations.The port charges should include charges on container freight charges.  
Resolution status note: At the 16th EAC regional forum on non tariff barriers held in Kigali in December 2014, Kenya reported that the port charges by ICDs and CFS should be the one approved by port authorities. Kenya Ports Authority has signed a service level agreement to guide charges by CFS. This NTB is therefore resolved.  
NTB-000-452 7.8. Consular and Immigration Issues 2011-09-03 Tanzania: Mbeya Uganda Resolved
2012-04-26
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Complaint: Tanzania Border posts charge Visa charges of US$ 250 for businessmen from Uganda.  
Resolution status note: At the 3rd meeting the Tripartite NTBs Focal Points and NMC Chairs held in Dar -es-Salaam on 19-20 April 2012, Tanzania reported that it does not charge visa from EAC members.  
NTB-000-453 8.8. Issues related to transit 2011-09-03 Tanzania: Ministry of Transport Burundi Resolved
2012-04-26
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Complaint: No movements of Cargo Trucks beyond 6:00 pm within Tanzania. This affects trucks from Rwanda, Burundi & Uganda  
Resolution status note: At the 3rd meeting the Tripartite NTBs Focal Points and NMC Chairs held in Dar -es-Salaam on 19-20 April 2012, Burundi agreed that this NTB be resolved on the basis that Tanzania was modernising the tracking equipment so as to have electronic devices that can be monitored electronically along the transport corridor to the final destination. This provision allows Tanzania Revenue Authprity to make the necessary timely interventions. Burundi and Tanzania have signed a joint MoU in joint patrol and were provided equipment to maintain security along the affected areas. However Tanzania wouldl notify Burundi on the operationalization of the Electronic Cargo Tracking System (ECTS).  
NTB-000-454 8.8. Issues related to transit 2011-09-03 Tanzania: Central Corridoor,Tanzania Uganda Resolved
2012-04-26
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Complaint: TRA has introduced check points in the Central Corridor with timeframes and imposed charges for the delays to reach the destinations  
Resolution status note: At the 3rd meeting the Tripartite NTBs Focal Points and NMC Chairs held in Dar -es-Salaam on 19-20 April 2012, Tanzania reported that the time frame of clearance of Transit goods from the point of entry to the point of exit had been used as control measure to ensure that there was no divergence of transit goods into local markets. In the Central corridor there are 3 check points that is Missugusugu, Dumila and Isaka.
From all these check points it takes 5 days to across border. In the southern corridor there are also 3 check points and it takes about 3 days to cross borders. Tanzania launched Electronic cargo Tracking System (ECTS) on 12th March, 2012 which was expected to commence operations in June, 2012. With ECTS there will be no need for Time frame as the goods would be monitored electronically. The legal document was given to Rwanda
 
NTB-000-455 8.8. Issues related to transit 2011-09-03 Kenya: Central Corridor Rwanda Resolved
2011-09-19
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Complaint: Varying application of axle load specifications by Kenya. Kenya demands that trucks should noit weigh more than 48Tonnes axle load whereas other partner states allow 56tons.  
Resolution status note: The 6th EAC Regional Forum on Non tariff barriers held from 12-13 March 2012, adopted recoomendation from the meetin of EAC permanent secretaries of the sectoral Council of transport , communications and metrology held in Nairobi on 16-19 August 2011 that a meeting of experts be convined by EAC secretariat to develop supportive legal, institutional and operative framework for approval by the council in 2012. This NTB is therefore considered resolved by the regional forum.  
NTB-000-455 8.8. Issues related to transit 2011-09-03 Kenya: Central Corridor Rwanda Resolved
2011-09-19
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Complaint: Varying application of axle load specifications by Kenya. Kenya demands that trucks should noit weigh more than 48Tonnes axle load whereas other partner states allow 56tons.  
Resolution status note: The axle load was agreed at 56 tons in the recent past and could possibly be a case where a hiccup arises due to lack of information by the implementing agency. When we have such cases of varying application of axle load specifications by Kenya along the Northern Corridor (Weighbridge), then it is useful to specify the weighbridge and give necessary details for us to follow and address the complain . However, the issue of varying application of axle load specifications should no longer occur because the region has adopted a uniform applicable axle load of 56 Tonnes  
NTB-000-456 1.1. Export subsidies
A83: Certification requirement
2011-09-03 EAC Kenya Resolved
2014-12-11
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Complaint: EAC Standards Bureaus have varying procedures for issuance of certification marks, inspection and testing.  
Resolution status note: At the 16th NTBs forum held in Kigali in December 2014, EAC Secretariat reported that Partner States Regulatory Agencies are collaborating in clearance of goods and that there is now mutual recognition of certificates issued by Partner States Testing bodies. This NTB was therefore resolved.  
NTB-000-458 2.8. Lengthy and costly customs clearance procedures 2011-09-08 Botswana: Martins Drift Botswana Resolved
2012-12-11
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Complaint: Time taken to clear both side, high cost of paid to clearing agents both sides and attitude of Botswana customs officials is a seriuos concern and a mojr NTB. What you encounter at boarders is inconsistant and contradicts what the government preaches in relation to SMME development.  
Resolution status note: Botswana reported that BURS is committed to ensuring that all procedures are standard, transparent and consistent at all times to all traders and are working hard to ensure that this is maintained. BURS are working hard on those issues to ensure efficient service delivery to all traders including SMMEs as they recognize the fact that they also contribute hugely to the growth of the country’s economy.

With regards to clearance, Botswana reported that, under normal circumstances, when one has all requirements in place, electronically processed customs declaration will be processed within 4 hours and manual declarations within 24 hours.

Clearing agents’ fees vary from agent to agent, however the average clearing fee for Imports is P650.00 and P450.00 for exports, this depends on mostly the weight, volume and type of commodity. These fees are set by the market. In order for the trader to be able to bypass the clearing agents they need to have registered for the ASYCUDA system with BURS, traders who trade at least every week and meet other mandatory requirements are given rights to use the ASYCUDA system.
 
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