| Complaint number |
NTB Type
|
Date of incident |
Location |
Reporting country or region (additional) |
Status |
Actions |
|
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. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
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. |
|
|
NTB-000-142 |
5.1. Quantitative restrictions |
2009-07-27 |
Zimbabwe: Ministry of Industry and Commerce |
South Africa |
Resolved 2011-06-09 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Zimbabwe imposes restrictions on imports of maize meal |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
Zimbabwe reported that there are no more quotas on importation of mealie-meal .Anyone .i.e individuals or companies can import any quantity as long as all the requirements are met. |
|
|
NTB-000-186 |
7.9. Inadequate trade related infrastructure |
2009-07-27 |
Mozambique: Beira Port |
Malawi |
Resolved 2012-04-26 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Poor infrastructure. Many delays at Beira and Nacala docks due to heavy traffic and no security available |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
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. |
|
|
NTB-000-211 |
2.4. Import licensing |
2009-07-27 |
Zimbabwe: Ministry of Agriculture |
Zimbabwe |
Resolved 2013-05-23 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Restrictions on agricultural goods. Some officials at the border posts are not fully aware of the implications and objectives of requiring permits for agriculture. Thus some consignments are allowed to be imported without import permits.Issuing of permits is centralized to Ministry of Agriculture Head Office, in Harare which is costly and inconvenient for those living out of Harare |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
At the 10th meeting of the SADC Sub Committee on Trade Facilitation held on 14-15 June 2012, Zimbabwe reported that it was working towards decentralization of issuance of permits. The process was already ongoing and some towns had already been given authority to issue permits.
At their 11th meeting held on 23 may 2013 in Gaborone, SADC Committee on Trade Facilitation noted that draft legislation has been developed and therefore this NTB could be marked resolved since it is receiving appropriate attention to improve the issuance of permits |
|
|
NTB-000-171 |
2.3. Issues related to the rules of origin |
2009-07-27 |
Zimbabwe: Ministry of Trade |
Malawi |
Resolved 2010-07-30 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Rice has been turned back from Zimbabwe according to allegations of misuse on Rules of Origin. |
|
|
NTB-000-144 |
1.8. Import bans |
2009-07-27 |
Zimbabwe: Ministry of Industry & Commerce |
South Africa |
Resolved 2011-03-04 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
An import ban has been put in place for poultry products |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
Zimbabwe reported that the ban has since been lifted on poultry and its products. |
|
|
NTB-000-156 |
7.9. Inadequate trade related infrastructure |
2009-07-27 |
Tanzania: Along major highways |
Tanzania |
Resolved 2012-06-15 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
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. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
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. |
|
|
NTB-000-162 |
8.7. Costly Road user charges /fees |
2009-07-27 |
Tanzania: Ministry of Transport |
Tanzania |
Resolved 2011-07-28 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Registration and accreditation of transporters is too high, (Charge is USD 10,000 per company so that only capable and serious transporters are registered) |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
Tanzania Revenue Authority reported that TRA is responsible for issuing the transporter license and that the fees is only Ks 20 000. |
|
|
NTB-000-150 |
2.3. Issues related to the rules of origin |
2009-07-27 |
Kenya: Kenya Revenue Authority |
Tanzania |
Resolved 2011-08-29 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
In some instances, Kenya customs demands that Tanzania exporters wishing to pernetrate the Kenyan market have to produce an EA certificate of origin or alternatively an international certificate of origin. An EA certificate of origin does not exist yet, since the EA countries are using the COMESA certificate of origin until they develope their own. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
At the NMC meeting held in Naifrobi on 29 August 2011, Kenya reported that there is an EAC certificate of origin currently issued by Confederation of Tanzania Industries (CTI) . |
|
|
NTB-000-157 |
2.8. Lengthy and costly customs clearance procedures |
2009-07-27 |
Kenya: Kenya Revenue Authority |
Tanzania |
Resolved 2011-07-28 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Too much time is lost during cross border pre-shipment inspection and certification for Kenyan bound cargo. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
At the NMC meeting held in Nairobi on 29 August 2011, Kenya reported that KRA is currently carrying out time release study to determine time taken at borders.
2. EAC is in the process of introducing OSBP. |
|
|
NTB-000-215 |
2.4. Import licensing |
2009-07-27 |
Zimbabwe: Ministry of Trade |
Zimbabwe |
Resolved 2010-07-30 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Cooking oil can only be exported after obtaining a license from the Ministry of Industry and International trade |
|
|
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:
|
Botswana imposes ad- hoc import levies on fresh produce |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
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 |
|
|
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:
|
Botswana imposes ad- hoc import levies on fresh produce |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
Botswana reported that the levies are no longer obtaining |
|
|
NTB-000-207 |
1.1. Export subsidies A84: Inspection requirement |
2009-07-27 |
Malawi: Ministry of Trade |
Zimbabwe |
Resolved 2010-11-22 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Cumbersome export certification procedures. The delays in going through the inspection process and approval process which takes a minimum of three working days, can be costly to exporters particularly for perishables. the process is that the Malawian importer seeks approval from ITS Malawi for inspection. ITS Malawi notifies ITS head office, which is in South Africa. Head office instructs ITS Zimbabwe and gives them authority to carry out the inspection at the Malawian Company's expense. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
Malawi reported that these procedures are no longer applicable, phased out with PSI in 2007 |
|
|
NTB-000-178 |
1.8. Import bans |
2009-07-27 |
Malawi: Ministry of Trade |
Zimbabwe |
Resolved 2010-11-22 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Ban on imports of fresh meat products from Zimbabwe |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
Malawi reported that there is no ban on meat imports but licensing measures were introduced when there was an outbreak of foot and mouth and bird flu diseases |
|
|
NTB-000-196 |
2.3. Issues related to the rules of origin Policy/Regulatory |
2009-07-27 |
SADC |
Zimbabwe |
Resolved 2011-11-10 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Delays in communicating signatories that verify certificates of origin. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
SADC Secretariat reported that,in accordance to rule 9 of Annex I of the SADC Protocol on Trade, “Member States shall deposit with the Secretariat the names of Departments and Agencies authorized to issue the certificates required […],specimen signatures of officials authorized to sign the certificates and the impressions of the official stamps to be used for that purpose, and those shall be circulated to Member States by the Secretariat.” SADC Secretariat circulates all the documentary evidence to Member States immediately upon receipt. In addition, the SADC Customs Unit is working in a user-friendly customs related link in the SADC Secretariat’s website to accommodate not only issues related to documentary evidence for the processing of SADC RoO, but also all the binding documentation that enhances trade in the Region. |
|
|
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:
|
Difficulty in accessing information onSPS requirements |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
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. |
|
|
NTB-000-199 |
2.8. Lengthy and costly customs clearance procedures |
2009-07-27 |
Zimbabwe: Zimbabwe Revenue Authority |
Zimbabwe |
Resolved 2011-06-09 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA) machines are connected to Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe which is linked through the internet to enable them to access approved copies of CDI forms. Serious delays are faced in processing the export documents because the systems are frequently down or unable to connect during working hours. The verification process by RBZ takes too long - up to 3 days. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
Zimbabwe reported that there is fallback method in the event that the system is down. The CD1s are processed manually and are captured later in the excel spreadsheet which is then forwarded electronically to RBZ on weekly basis. There is therefore no delay in processing export documents |
|
|
NTB-000-200 |
5.1. Quantitative restrictions |
2009-07-27 |
Zimbabwe: Ministry of Trade |
Zimbabwe |
Resolved 2010-07-30 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Licences for importing cooking oil are only issued in times of shortages. |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
Zimbabwe reported that trade in cooking oil has been liberalised. This requirement is no longer obtaining. |
|
|
NTB-000-163 |
2.4. Import licensing Policy/Regulatory |
2009-07-27 |
Zambia: Ministry of Trade |
Tanzania |
Resolved 2011-03-04 |
View |
|
Complaint:
|
Licensing process just too long |
|
|
Resolution status note:
|
Zambia reported that the process only takes 24hours |
|