| Complaint number |
NTB Type
|
Date of incident |
Location |
Reporting country or region (additional) |
Status |
Actions |
|
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:
|
In Kenya, police can claim that a container is security risk and arrest it until customs people come. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
At the NMC meeting held in Nairobi on 29 August 2011, Kenya reported that this was an isolated case which did not repeat. |
|
|
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:
|
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. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
Member States agreed to resolve on the strength that no complaints had been received . |
|
|
NTB-000-357 |
7.9. Inadequate trade related infrastructure |
2010-02-10 |
Tanzania: Ministry of Transport |
Tanzania |
Resolved
2011-08-28 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
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. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
Tanzania Revenue Authority reported that this transit point was closed in March 2010. |
|
|
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:
|
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. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
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. |
|
|
NTB-000-355 |
8.7. Costly Road user charges /fees |
2010-02-10 |
SADC |
Namibia |
Resolved
2012-06-15 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Bond registration fees are excessively high in all SADC countries. Especially when cargo transits in two countries the bond registration fees become a constraint. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
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. |
|
|
NTB-000-353 |
7.9. Inadequate trade related infrastructure |
2010-02-10 |
SADC |
Namibia |
Resolved
2016-10-07 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
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 |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
FESARTA reported that this NTB was no longer in place |
|
|
NTB-000-352 |
2.8. Lengthy and costly customs clearance procedures
Policy/Regulatory |
2010-02-10 |
SADC |
Namibia |
Resolved
2011-11-10 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
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 |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
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. |
|
|
NTB-000-350 |
7.6. Lack of information on procedures (or changes thereof) |
2010-02-10 |
Mozambique: Ministry of Trade |
Mozambique |
Resolved
2011-06-08 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Mozambique private sector do not have information regarding tariffs obtaining in the SADC FTA. They are also not conversant with the SADC certificate of origin |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
Mozambique, reported that there exists a confederation of association of the private sector (CTA) in which there is a working group that deals with customs matters, which participates in all meetings and events related to the subject. |
|
|
NTB-000-349 |
6.2. Administrative fees |
2010-02-10 |
South Africa: Ministry of Transport |
Mozambique |
Resolved
2011-03-09 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
South Africa charges on refrigerated trucks that come to pick bananas from Mozambique are too high |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
South Africa reported that this is no longer existing |
|
|
NTB-000-348 |
5.1. Quantitative restrictions |
2010-02-09 |
Botswana: Ministry of Trade |
Botswana |
Resolved
2011-07-22 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Botswana regulates importation and pricing of petroleum products |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
Botswana reported that petroleum products are not regulated |
|
|
NTB-000-348 |
5.1. Quantitative restrictions |
2010-02-09 |
Botswana: Ministry of Trade |
Botswana |
Resolved
2011-07-22 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Botswana regulates importation and pricing of petroleum products |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
On 22 July 2011, Botswana reported that petroleum products are not regulated |
|
|
NTB-000-347 |
5.1. Quantitative restrictions |
2010-02-09 |
Botswana: Ministry of Agriculture |
Botswana |
Resolved
2010-11-29 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Botswana regulates importation of grains |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
Botswana reported that it has multi channel maize marketing. Ministry of Agriculture issue import permits to ensure balance between local sourcing and importation. |
|
|
NTB-000-346 |
1.1. Export subsidies
B81: Product registration/approval requirements |
2010-02-09 |
Botswana: Ministry of Health |
Botswana |
Resolved
2011-06-08 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
The Botswana drug registration process was intended to safeguard public health. However, due to lack of human resources, to administer the process, half of the drugs available in South Africa are no longer available in Botswana |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
Botswana reported that it regulates medicines to safeguard public health and to assess products/ drugs.
There is a priority list for drugs, e.g. for the following diseases; HIV, Tuberculoses and Malaria.
The issue of lack of human resources is being addressed |
|
|
NTB-000-344 |
7.8. Consular and Immigration Issues |
2009-12-18 |
South Africa: Ministry of Transport |
Zambia |
Resolved
2011-01-07 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
South Africa trucks with Zimbabwean and Zambian drivers are being impounded and at times foreign drivers get fined by the South African Cross Border Transport Agency for not possessing South African Professional Driving Permits disregarding section 32(3) of the National Road Traffic Act (Act No. 93 of 1996) which stipulates that "any document , serving a purpose similar to that of a professional driving permit issued by a competent authority , be deemed to be a professional driving permit".
This has been a serious issue for many years and rears its head every now and then. ( |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
South Africa reported that Zimbabwean driving a Zimbabwean registered vehicle only need to produce a credit card metal licence with a category for the Public drivers for heavy vehicles marked '2', endorsement of medical certificate and expiry date at the back of the licence.
Drivers driving a vehicle not registered in Zimbabwe should produce an A5 size white booklet type licence, International driving permit equivalent of a Proffessional Driving Permit in South Africa issued by Automobile association of Zimbabwe. An AA stamp indicating category for heavy vehicle will be displayed on the right handside of the document.
Zambian public drivers licences are similar to those of South Africa issued with a C1 to EC category of licences with endorsement (PrDP) .However the Zambian driving licences have 'P', which means passengers and 'G' indicating goods and th expiry date next to these categories
|
|
|
NTB-000-343 |
2.3. Issues related to the rules of origin |
2009-12-11 |
Mozambique: Mozambique Revenue Authority |
Mozambique |
Resolved
2010-11-22 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Alfandegas and SARS are delaying verification of rules of origin for Sunlight dish washing liquid made in South Africa costing the importer as they have to pay deposit to Alfandegas since September 2009. The delays in authorizations for payment of deposits has cost the company as they have to pay demurage charges for tyransporters , increased parking fees at Frigo to wait as much as up 22days to get authorization |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
Mozambique reported that once discrepancy in the certificate of origin, is noted, the freight forwarder completes questionnaire for clarification. If the doubt prevails the importer must pay surety while verification is done to determine origin to qualify for preferential treatment. Qualifying goods are released but
Process remains open until confirmation by DRO if the goods meet the conditions necessary to benefit from preferential treatment.
Inefficiency of the freight forwarder in answering the questionnaire and follow the subsequent steps contribute to delays. Timely processing takes no more than 72 hours to be released early by the surety. |
|
|
NTB-000-342 |
2.3. Issues related to the rules of origin |
2009-12-11 |
Mozambique: Mozambique Revenue Authority |
Mozambique |
Resolved
2010-11-22 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Alfandegas and SARs are taking too long to verify origin of imported Rajah Medium curry powder after Alfandegas queried origin in September 2009.The importers have to pay deposits and authorisation to get the pay the deposit takes up to 22 days thereby increasing standing time at Frigo from an average of two days to as high as 22 days for some loads. The delay has costed the importers since Rajah curry risks insect infection while at Frigo. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
Mozambique reported that the process of verification takes maximum 24hrs on the Mozambique side. However, clearing agents appointed by importers delay in submitting required information hence the delays. |
|
|
NTB-000-341 |
2.3. Issues related to the rules of origin |
2009-12-11 |
Mozambique: Ministry of Health |
Mozambique |
Resolved
2010-11-22 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Importers of Medicine experience serious clearance delays because pre -inspection certificate is issued on time. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
Mozambique reported that the obligation of pre- inspection in medicine import is not a NTB, because the medicine are listed as positive range of products whose the import process requires pre-shipment inspection and a permit from the Ministry of Health |
|
|
NTB-000-340 |
2.13. Issues related to Pre-Shipment Inspections |
2009-12-10 |
Mozambique: Mozambique Revenue Authority |
Mozambique |
Resolved
2010-11-22 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Importers of medicine experience delays in clearance because pre-inspection certificates are not issued on time. |
|
|
NTB-000-339 |
2.13. Issues related to Pre-Shipment Inspections
Policy/Regulatory |
2009-12-10 |
Mozambique: Mozambique Customs |
Mozambique |
Resolved
2010-07-28 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Importers of medicine experience delays in clearance because pre-inspection certificates are not issued on time. |
|
|
NTB-000-334 |
1.14. Lack of coordination between government institutions |
2009-09-09 |
Eswatini: Ministry of Trade |
Uganda |
Resolved
2015-12-21 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Permits are issued by diffrent authorities in diffrent cities. Agricultural import permits are issued by NAMBOARD in Manzini.; Dairy products imports are issued by Dairy Board in Manzini. Other miscellaneous goods import permits issued by Ministry of Finance in Mbabane. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
On 21st December 2015, Uganda Focal point reported that this NTB had been long resolved. Uganda received a letter from Swaziland indicating that the issuance of permits had been streamlined. |
|
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