Complaint number |
NTB Type
Check allUncheck all |
Date of incident |
Location |
Reporting country or region (additional) |
Status |
Actions |
NTB-000-135 |
2.7. International taxes and charges levied on imports and other tariff measures Policy/Regulatory |
2009-07-27 |
Botswana: Ministry of Agriculture |
South Africa |
Resolved 2012-05-03 |
View |
Complaint:
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Botswana imposes ad- hoc import levies on fresh produce |
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Resolution status note:
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Botswana reported that the levies are no longer obtaining |
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NTB-000-135 |
2.7. International taxes and charges levied on imports and other tariff measures Policy/Regulatory |
2009-07-27 |
Botswana: Ministry of Agriculture |
South Africa |
Resolved 2012-05-03 |
View |
Complaint:
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Botswana imposes ad- hoc import levies on fresh produce |
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Resolution status note:
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Botswana indicated that she did not charge levies but closed borders whenever local produce was enough to supply local demand. The Ministry of Agriculture has advised that the dates for border closure and opening are set by a committee composed of traders and producers. The Ministry notes that sufficient time is allowed for traders to notify their external suppliers on time. While the study on Agricultural NTBs recommended gradual elimination of some NTBs, it recommended that others could only be eliminated after provision of adequate alternative support systems. This NTB is of regulatory nature and therefore it is resolved that the NTB be transferred to section of 'Resolved NTBs of policy and regulatory nature' for further consideration |
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NTB-000-136 |
2.7. International taxes and charges levied on imports and other tariff measures Policy/Regulatory |
2009-07-27 |
Botswana: Ministry of Agriculture |
South Africa |
Resolved 2012-05-03 |
View |
Complaint:
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An import levy of 15% is charged on wheat flour |
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Resolution status note:
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Botswana reporte4d that she does not impose levy on wheat |
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NTB-000-136 |
2.7. International taxes and charges levied on imports and other tariff measures Policy/Regulatory |
2009-07-27 |
Botswana: Ministry of Agriculture |
South Africa |
Resolved 2012-05-03 |
View |
Complaint:
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An import levy of 15% is charged on wheat flour |
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Resolution status note:
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Botswana reported that she does not impose levy on wheat imports. Botswana is imposing the 15% levy on wheat flour.The wheat flour Levy was introduced in 2003, through the Control of Goods, Prices and other charges Act Chapter 43 section 8 Subsection 3 which restrict importation on wheat flour, thereby encouraging the protection of industries in Botswana. The ACt is still under review. The 15% levy is intended as protection for millers in Botswana and is also designed to support value addition. Consultations are in progress with relevant Ministry. Botswana indicated that resolution of this complaint is dependent on the results of the review of the “Control of Goods, Prices and Other Charges Act” which has been stalled pending the establishment of a National Body. A study to assess the relevance of the levy on wheat flour is still being planned. This NTB is of regulatory nature and therefore it is resolved that the NTB be transferred to section of 'Resolved NTBs of policy and regulatory nature' for further consideration. |
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NTB-000-190 |
7.9. Inadequate trade related infrastructure Policy/Regulatory |
2009-07-27 |
SADC |
Malawi |
Resolved 2011-01-10 |
View |
Complaint:
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Inconsistency of road traffic laws, and their application in SADC. |
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Resolution status note:
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Botswana reported that ahe is in the process of harmonizing traffic laws with SADC traffic laws; however, there are some traffic laws that have been harmonized e.g. road signs etc. |
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NTB-000-216 |
8.7. Costly Road user charges /fees |
2009-07-27 |
SADC |
Zimbabwe |
Resolved 2016-10-07 |
View |
Complaint:
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Toll fees variation within the region hampers smooth transit of goods. Toll fees should be rationalised. |
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Resolution status note:
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FESARTA reported that the NTB does not exist at present. |
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NTB-000-212 |
1.1. Export subsidies A9: SPS measures n.e.s. |
2009-07-27 |
Lesotho: Ministry of Trade |
Zimbabwe |
Resolved 2011-07-28 |
View |
Complaint:
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Unreasonable SPS requirements with no scientific basis or excessively averse to risk |
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Resolution status note:
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Lesotho reported that the import license for agricultural products is required to ensure food safety and to prevent the spread of diseases and insects. It takes a day for a license to be issued, at the Department of Agriculture. Information on SPS requirements is readily available from the Department of Agriculture. |
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NTB-000-213 |
1.1. Export subsidies A14: Authorization requirement for sanitary and phytosanitary reasons for importing certain products |
2009-07-27 |
Lesotho: Ministry of Agriculture |
Zimbabwe |
Resolved 2011-07-28 |
View |
Complaint:
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delays in getting SPS approvals |
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Resolution status note:
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Lesotho reported that the import license for agricultural products is required to ensure food safety and to prevent the spread of diseases and insects. It takes one day for a license to be issued, at the Department of Agriculture. Information on SPS requirements is readily available from the Department of Agriculture |
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NTB-000-214 |
1.1. Export subsidies A9: SPS measures n.e.s. |
2009-07-27 |
Lesotho: Ministry of Agriculture |
Zimbabwe |
Resolved 2011-07-28 |
View |
Complaint:
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Difficulty in accessing information onSPS requirements |
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Resolution status note:
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During the workshop establishing NMC for Lesotho held on 09 August 2011 in Maseru, it was confirmed that information on SPS requirements is available from the Ministry of Agriculture and that arrangements are in place to upload this information onto the website of the TMinistry of Trade & Industry Cooperation & Marketing. |
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NTB-000-186 |
7.9. Inadequate trade related infrastructure |
2009-07-27 |
Mozambique: Beira Port |
Malawi |
Resolved 2012-04-26 |
View |
Complaint:
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Poor infrastructure. Many delays at Beira and Nacala docks due to heavy traffic and no security available |
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Resolution status note:
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At the 3rd Tripartite NTBs Focal Point point meeting Malawi registered that the issue be resolved considering the submission from Mozambique that the delays, were as a result of procedural matters between the clearing agents and their respective clients and not the Beira Port authorities per se. |
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NTB-000-192 |
7.9. Inadequate trade related infrastructure Policy/Regulatory |
2009-07-27 |
Mozambique: Beira Port |
Malawi |
Resolved 2011-09-23 |
View |
Complaint:
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Inefficient loading and unloading facilities at Nacala and Beira ports in Mozambique resulting in time delays and occasionally additional warehousing costs. |
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Resolution status note:
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In consultations with the Beira Port Authorities, namely, Cornelder, on the 22nd of September 2011, at the Beira Port, Cornelder informed that indeed during the dredging process the Beira port faced a lot of delays but that aspect has been overcome now that the dredging process is over. |
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NTB-000-149 |
2.8. Lengthy and costly customs clearance procedures |
2009-07-27 |
Tanzania: Tanzania Revenue Authority |
Tanzania |
Resolved 2011-07-28 |
View |
Complaint:
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Despite efforts to improve the situation, customs procedures in Tanzania are cumbersome. In most cases, depending on the type of product, there is a long verification chain that involves many steps and numerous documents have to be handled/exchanged in the process of importing. |
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Resolution status note:
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Tanzania Revenue Authority reported that all customs documentation are now obtained and processed online. Traders engage Clearing Agents for clearing goods who obtain all documents online. |
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NTB-000-154 |
2.8. Lengthy and costly customs clearance procedures |
2009-07-27 |
Tanzania: Tanzania Bureau of Standards |
Tanzania |
Resolved 2011-07-28 |
View |
Complaint:
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Delays and high cost of screening honey. Tanzania Bureau of Standards takes from 3 to 4 weeks with constant follow up; 20 items are screened on payment of T50,000/- |
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Resolution status note:
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Tanzania Bureau of Standards reported that there is some improvement on the dwell time at TBS Test house. There has been an influx of samples in the food sector which has resulted in companies having to wait for maximum 1-2 weeks. The current capacity of the conformity infrastructure (soft and hard), has necessitated that TBS Laboratory applies a first come first attended procedure. TBS encourages the business community not to wait until the last hour before they lodge their enquiry.
2. The cost of conducting an analysis is determined by the type of analysis to be conducted and therefore the cost of the reagents which goes up with time. Example, the current (2011) analysis cost for Honey is 160,000.00Tanzanian Shillings per sample. |
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NTB-000-156 |
7.9. Inadequate trade related infrastructure |
2009-07-27 |
Tanzania: Along major highways |
Tanzania |
Resolved 2012-06-15 |
View |
Complaint:
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Weighing equipment in some stations is sometimes faulty, meaning that even when a truck has a proper seal, weight readings at different stations vary. Also, there are numerous stations along the major highways, which do not respect seals even when it is clear that such seals have not been tempered with. The most notorious stations are along Moshi and Kibaha on Nairobi-Dar-es-salaam highway. |
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Resolution status note:
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The 10th meeting of SADC Committee on Trade Facilitation accepted Tanzania's explaination that problem arose due to packaging and loading of containers at the port. If containers are not properly packed, goods move while on transit and affect weigh on an axle. Distribution of weight on an axle may be correct at point of departure, but after some distance, it may change as cargo moves. Since weighing is on axles not cargo, different numbers may be recorded at
a weigh bridge. It was reported that sensitization was already being undertaken to alert traders to reduce the possibility of movement of goods inside containers while in transit by packing properly. The meeting therefore agreed to consider the NTB resolved. |
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NTB-000-158 |
1.1. Export subsidies A82: Testing requirement |
2009-07-27 |
Tanzania: Ministry of Agriculture |
Tanzania |
Resolved 2016-05-18 |
View |
Complaint:
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Cumbersome procedures for , SPS certificates and the permits.The Ministry utilitises its own laboratories in Dar es Salaam with support from Tropical Pesticide Research Institute in Arusha which takes even more time. |
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Resolution status note:
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The procedures are being streamlined |
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NTB-000-159 |
4.1. Issues related to sanitary and phyto-sanitary measures A83: Certification requirement |
2009-07-27 |
Tanzania: Ministry of Health |
Tanzania |
Resolved 2011-08-30 |
View |
Complaint:
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Cumbersome certification procedures for certification of milk inputs.Certification officers are based in Dar es Salaam and going to Tunduma for verification is very cumbersome |
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Resolution status note:
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Tanzania Revenue Authority reported that TRA does random physical verification as part of risk management analysis before clearing mainly on textiles motor vehicles. |
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NTB-000-160 |
1.1. Export subsidies A82: Testing requirement |
2009-07-27 |
Tanzania: Tanzania Bureau of Standards |
Tanzania |
Resolved 2011-08-28 |
View |
Complaint:
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Exports go through unnecessary, onerous and costly testing and documentation procedures, since the TBS, TFDA, Ministry of Health and Tanzania atomic energy authority each have to issue export certification on every export consignment. |
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Resolution status note:
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Tanzania Revenue Authority reported that TRA does random physical verification as part of risk management analysis before clearing and this is done mainly on textiles motor vehicles. |
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NTB-000-160 |
1.1. Export subsidies A82: Testing requirement |
2009-07-27 |
Tanzania: Tanzania Bureau of Standards |
Tanzania |
Resolved 2011-08-28 |
View |
Complaint:
|
Exports go through unnecessary, onerous and costly testing and documentation procedures, since the TBS, TFDA, Ministry of Health and Tanzania atomic energy authority each have to issue export certification on every export consignment. |
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Resolution status note:
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Tanzania reported that Tanzania Institutions have been established and governed by Laws. The process of establishing Testing procedures under one roof is underway. |
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NTB-000-160 |
1.1. Export subsidies A82: Testing requirement |
2009-07-27 |
Tanzania: Tanzania Bureau of Standards |
Tanzania |
Resolved 2011-08-28 |
View |
Complaint:
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Exports go through unnecessary, onerous and costly testing and documentation procedures, since the TBS, TFDA, Ministry of Health and Tanzania atomic energy authority each have to issue export certification on every export consignment. |
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Resolution status note:
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Tanzania reported that Tanzania Institutions have been established and governed by Laws. The process of establishing Testing procedures under one roof is underway. Tanzania Revenue Authority reported that TRA does random physical verification as part of risk management analysis before clearing and this is done mainly on textiles motor vehicles. |
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NTB-000-161 |
7.4. Costly procedures |
2009-07-27 |
Tanzania: Ministry of Trade |
Tanzania |
Resolved 2016-06-15 |
View |
Complaint:
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A number of non-tariff fees are levied on agricultural and manufactured products. Examples are: inspection fees, Warehousing fees; Air Cargo levy; Agricultural Cess, Livestock Marketing Cess, landing and parking fees, seaman's levy and farm support fees. |
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Resolution status note:
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The SADC Sub Committee on Trade facilitation carried out a review of long standing NTBs and found out that the various fees identified above, i.e. inspection fees, warehousing fees; air cargo levy; agricultural cess, livestock marketing cess, landing and parking fees, seaman's levy and farm support fees were acceptable as long as they are for the services rendered and are also provided for in the national legislations.
This is finding therefore resolves the NTB |
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