Complaint number |
NTB Type
Check allUncheck all |
Date of incident |
Location |
Reporting country or region (additional) |
Status |
Actions |
NTB-000-370 |
2.7. International taxes and charges levied on imports and other tariff measures |
2010-02-10 |
Zimbabwe: Revenue Authority |
Zambia |
Resolved 2011-07-28 |
View |
Complaint:
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Traders of Plant materials, e.g., seeds are charged different rates by Zimbabwe at Victoria Falls Border post in Livingstone (US$20.00) from those charges by other countries e.g., South Africa (ZAR60.00) for each entry. |
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Resolution status note:
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At the 9th meeting of the SADC Sub-committee on trade facilitation, Zimbabwe reported that the current charge of US$10 on issuance of SPS certificates is competitive in the region. There are no harmonized charges for SPS certificates in the SADC region. |
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NTB-000-369 |
1.1. Export subsidies A84: Inspection requirement Policy/Regulatory |
2010-02-10 |
South Africa: Ministry of Agriculture |
Zambia |
Resolved 2011-11-22 |
View |
Complaint:
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South Africa is not facilitating inspection of production areas for issuance of PQPS certificate for exports of fruits to Zambia as per requirement by the Ministry of Agriculture in Zambia. |
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Resolution status note:
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South Africa reported that Zambia needs to send information needed to evaluate their plant disease situation, legislation, standards and other requirements to the South African Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries . PQPS certificates can not be issued if the above information is not known. |
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NTB-000-369 |
1.1. Export subsidies A84: Inspection requirement Policy/Regulatory |
2010-02-10 |
South Africa: Ministry of Agriculture |
Zambia |
Resolved 2011-11-22 |
View |
Complaint:
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South Africa is not facilitating inspection of production areas for issuance of PQPS certificate for exports of fruits to Zambia as per requirement by the Ministry of Agriculture in Zambia. |
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Resolution status note:
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On 1 June 2011 , South Afric areported that Zambia was not able to send information needed to evaluate their plant disease situation, legislation, standards and other requirements. PQPS certificates can therefore not be issued if the above information is not known |
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NTB-000-368 |
2.4. Import licensing Policy/Regulatory |
2010-02-10 |
South Africa: Ministry of Trade |
Zambia |
Resolved 2010-11-22 |
View |
Complaint:
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South Africa denies Plant import permit for imports of chilies from Zambia |
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Resolution status note:
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South Afric areported that Zambia was not able to send information needed to evaluate their plant disease situation, legislation, standards and other requirements. PQPS certificates can therefore not be issued if the above information is not known. |
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NTB-000-367 |
2.10. Inadequate or unreasonable customs procedures and charges Policy/Regulatory |
2010-02-10 |
Zambia: Zambia Revenue Authority |
Zambia |
Resolved 2011-03-04 |
View |
Complaint:
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Asycuda++ system closes at 16.00 hrs for new entries . ZRA does not continue to clear goods after 16.00hrs. |
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Resolution status note:
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Zambia reported that the Asycuda++ system is 24hours for those on DTI and there is also e-payment. Its only those who are not on DTI and access the system through Necor which closes at 16hrs are affected, otherwise the system does not close. |
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NTB-000-366 |
2.8. Lengthy and costly customs clearance procedures |
2010-02-10 |
Zambia: Zambia Revenue Authority |
Zambia |
Resolved 2011-03-04 |
View |
Complaint:
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Zambia Revenue Authority delays clearing goods at Victoria Falls Border Post in Livingstone, it takes the whole day or two for travellers to be cleared. Only one officer is assigned to inspect the goods and there is arbitrary valuation of goods by the customs officer |
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Resolution status note:
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Zambia reported that it only takes 20 minutes to clear passengers with no goods and upto 3hours for those with goods.
There are two officers who inspect as the passenger traffic has reduced due to a number of them opting to use the Chirundu OSBP.
For valuation of goods, they use an already existing database.
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NTB-000-365 |
2.8. Lengthy and costly customs clearance procedures |
2010-02-10 |
Zambia: Matumbo and Chinsali |
Zambia |
Resolved 2010-07-30 |
View |
Complaint:
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Inland Zambia State Police request for customs documents at Road Blocks (Matumbo, Chinsali) creating unnecessary delays. |
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Resolution status note:
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Zambia reported that it’s a requirement for security purposes, which applies to both locals and international road users. |
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NTB-000-364 |
5.12. Export restraint arrangements |
2010-02-10 |
Zambia: Ministry of Agriculture |
Zambia |
Resolved 2011-03-04 |
View |
Complaint:
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The Office dealing with export permits for seed in the Ministry of Agriculture in Zambia only opens at 11.00 hours. This causes delay in obtaining the export permits. |
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Resolution status note:
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Zambia reported that the office opens from 08:00am to 5pm, but collection starts at 11:00am to allow for processing in the morning. |
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NTB-000-363 |
7.7. Complex variety of documentation required |
2010-02-10 |
Kenya: Kenya Revenue Authority |
Zambia |
Resolved 2010-11-22 |
View |
Complaint:
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Documentations requirements for exports to Kenya are too cumbersome (SGS invoice is issued after one month and you are charged inspection charges. With regards to import permits, Zambian exporter has to raise COMESA Certification and send to Kenyan importer before shipping the goods. This process takes more than 3 months. |
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Resolution status note:
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Issue resolved through COMESA Customs and Trade Committee |
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NTB-000-362 |
2.8. Lengthy and costly customs clearance procedures |
2010-02-10 |
Tanzania: Tanzania Revenue Authority |
Tanzania |
Resolved 2011-07-28 |
View |
Complaint:
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There are different offices for processing customs documents in Tanzania. There is need for one stop house fore.g. in Dar-es- salaam |
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Resolution status note:
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Tanzania Revenue Authority reported that all documentation for imports is centralized and is available and processed online. Allexports documents are processed at the borders. |
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NTB-000-362 |
2.8. Lengthy and costly customs clearance procedures |
2010-02-10 |
Tanzania: Tanzania Revenue Authority |
Tanzania |
Resolved 2011-07-28 |
View |
Complaint:
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There are different offices for processing customs documents in Tanzania. There is need for one stop house fore.g. in Dar-es- salaam |
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Resolution status note:
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Tanzania reported that documentation procedures have been decentralized as a result of use of online lodging of documents and extended working hours at the custom's department, among other improvements. Tanzania Revenue Authority reported that all documentation for imports is available processed online. All exports documents are processed at the border. |
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NTB-000-361 |
7.9. Inadequate trade related infrastructure |
2010-02-10 |
Kenya: Ministry of Transport |
Tanzania |
Resolved 2016-06-29 |
View |
Complaint:
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Unreliable, different readings on the internal weighbridges in Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi. Readings can differ as much as between 500-700kgs resulting in transporters paying unnecessary huge fines. Weighbridges are often verified, however, various factors which include technical faults of the instruments and unscrupulous conduct of the transporters sometimes result in false readings: This problem relates to transit goods in properly sealed containers that, under normal circumstances, cannot be opened before they get to destination. |
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Resolution status note:
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The EAC secretariat reported that the EAC Axle load act was enacted by EALA in May, 2014 |
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NTB-000-360 |
7.9. Inadequate trade related infrastructure |
2010-02-10 |
Kenya: Ministry of Transport |
Tanzania |
Resolved 2011-07-28 |
View |
Complaint:
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Kenya is not calibrating the weighbridges; therefore there is use of different weights. Leading to rampant Bribery activities taking place at the weigh bridges |
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Resolution status note:
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At the NMC meeting held in Nairobi on 29 August 2011, Kenya reported the weighbridges have been automated such that weight is recorded online. |
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NTB-000-359 |
2.8. Lengthy and costly customs clearance procedures |
2010-02-10 |
Kenya: Ministry of Home Affairs |
Tanzania |
Resolved 2011-07-28 |
View |
Complaint:
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In Kenya, police can claim that a container is security risk and arrest it until customs people come. |
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Resolution status note:
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At the NMC meeting held in Nairobi on 29 August 2011, Kenya reported that this was an isolated case which did not repeat. |
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NTB-000-358 |
2.8. Lengthy and costly customs clearance procedures |
2010-02-10 |
Democratic Republic of the Congo: Ministry of Trade |
Tanzania |
Resolved 2023-02-20 |
View |
Complaint:
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The process of obtaining DRC Ogeframe certificate delays cargo at the port and increases costs. Procedure is too long as it involves exporter paying fees at Tanzania Revenue Authority in DAr es Salaam Office and then take the document for endorsement by DRC. This is applicable only to transit goods to DRC. |
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Resolution status note:
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Member States agreed to resolve on the strength that no complaints had been received . |
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NTB-000-357 |
7.9. Inadequate trade related infrastructure |
2010-02-10 |
Tanzania: Ministry of Transport |
Tanzania |
Resolved 2011-08-28 |
View |
Complaint:
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A transit point in Mbezi is too small. The ongoing Stakeholders meetings to resolve the issue are taking long to materialize. Trucks are held for as long as 2,5km long ques. |
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Resolution status note:
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Tanzania Revenue Authority reported that this transit point was closed in March 2010. |
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NTB-000-356 |
2.8. Lengthy and costly customs clearance procedures |
2010-02-10 |
Tanzania: Tanzania Revenue Authority |
Tanzania |
Resolved 2011-07-28 |
View |
Complaint:
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Customs officers arbitrarily verify goods in transit at various check points and break seals for 100% physical verification leading to delays, breakages for goods thinly packed in the container etc. Customs could communicate with the next customs point at the border for verification to avoid 100% verification along the way. In some instances, the verification would have taken place at the point of loading the goods. |
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Resolution status note:
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Tanzania Revenue Authority reported that there are only two check points in Misubusubu and at Makambako to check only the if truck abides by transit time and transit route. TRA does not break any seals. If any seal is tempered with transporter is supposed to notify TRA office, transit check point or the nearest police station. All transit check points are automated under asycuda so they can be monitored in the system. TRA is in the process of acquiring electronic cargo tracking system hence check points will go away. |
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NTB-000-355 |
8.7. Costly Road user charges /fees |
2010-02-10 |
SADC |
Namibia |
Resolved 2012-06-15 |
View |
Complaint:
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Bond registration fees are excessively high in all SADC countries. Especially when cargo transits in two countries the bond registration fees become a constraint. |
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Resolution status note:
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The 10th meeting of SADC Committee on Trade facilitation held on 14-15 June 2012 noted that the issue of bonds is normally managed by private sector, mostly banks therefore commercial rates would prevail. It was also noted that
within the SADC Customs work programme, there is work to facilitate single transit bond, the result of which should be
ready by March 2013. This NTB was therefore considered resolved on grounds that bond registration fees are cahrged at market rates. |
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NTB-000-353 |
7.9. Inadequate trade related infrastructure |
2010-02-10 |
SADC |
Namibia |
Resolved 2016-10-07 |
View |
Complaint:
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A truck legally loaded in Namibia may not be legally loaded in another SADC country due to lack of uniform loads and Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM) standards in SADC. There is need to standardize the axle loads |
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Resolution status note:
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FESARTA reported that this NTB was no longer in place |
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NTB-000-352 |
2.8. Lengthy and costly customs clearance procedures Policy/Regulatory |
2010-02-10 |
SADC |
Namibia |
Resolved 2011-11-10 |
View |
Complaint:
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The cabotage law applied by SADC Member states contributes to high transport costs. The law does not allow an empty truck to carry back a load from a third country. For example, a South African truck dropping off a load in Namibia cannot pick up a load in Namibia destined for Botswana even though this truck is using trans Kalahari Highway linking the two countries |
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Resolution status note:
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SADC secretariat responded that : the customs term cabotage as stated in Specific Annex E, Chapter 3 of the revised Kyoto Convention, is applied for imported goods that have not been declared under the condition that they must be transported in a vessel other than the importing vessel in which they arrived in the Customs territory are loaded on board a vessel at a place in the Customs territory and are transported to another place in the same Customs territory where they are then unloaded and cleared. The term can also be used for the same purposes for air transportation (domestic flights).
Looking to the complaint technically, one of the SADC Secretariat key objectives is to reduce the costs of doing business in the region. However, some interventions of the Secretariat are bounded by its regional economic integration process. SADC is currently a FTA among its 11 Member States, enabling goods originating in Member States applying the FTA to enter duty free and quota free under certain conditions stated in the SADC Protocol on Trade. For this economic activity, economic operators are not obliged to be registered as economic operators in the countries were goods are delivered. A deeper regional economic integration would be needed in order to allow foreign economic operators to engage in business activities in Member States, benefiting from local business opportunities but also fiscal obligations. This is a level of economic integration closer to common market and which unfortunately, the SADC Protocol on Trade does not provide for. |
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