Resolved complaints

Showing items 161 to 180 of 930
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
Date of incident Location
COMESA
EAC
SADC
Reporting country or region (additional)
COMESA
EAC
SADC
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
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Complaint: Botswana imposes ad- hoc import levies on fresh produce  
Resolution status note: Botswana reported that the levies are no longer obtaining  
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
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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-000-215 2.4. Import licensing 2009-07-27 Zimbabwe: Ministry of Trade Zimbabwe Resolved
2010-07-30
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Complaint: Cooking oil can only be exported after obtaining a license from the Ministry of Industry and International trade  
NTB-000-157 2.8. Lengthy and costly customs clearance procedures 2009-07-27 Kenya: Kenya Revenue Authority Tanzania Resolved
2011-07-28
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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-000-150 2.3. Issues related to the rules of origin 2009-07-27 Kenya: Kenya Revenue Authority Tanzania Resolved
2011-08-29
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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-000-162 8.7. Costly Road user charges /fees 2009-07-27 Tanzania: Ministry of Transport Tanzania Resolved
2011-07-28
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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-000-156 7.9. Inadequate trade related infrastructure 2009-07-27 Tanzania: Along major highways Tanzania Resolved
2012-06-15
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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-000-144 1.8. Import bans 2009-07-27 Zimbabwe: Ministry of Industry & Commerce South Africa Resolved
2011-03-04
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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-000-171 2.3. Issues related to the rules of origin 2009-07-27 Zimbabwe: Ministry of Trade Malawi Resolved
2010-07-30
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Complaint: Rice has been turned back from Zimbabwe according to allegations of misuse on Rules of Origin.  
NTB-000-211 2.4. Import licensing 2009-07-27 Zimbabwe: Ministry of Agriculture Zimbabwe Resolved
2013-05-23
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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-000-174 1.1. Export subsidies
A82: Testing requirement
2009-07-27 Malawi: Malawi Revenue Authority Malawi Resolved
2012-04-26
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Complaint: Time taken to test products varies between five days for meat and poultry to ten days for batteries. The time factor and discretionary use of these services at the borders has lead to delays in the distribution.  
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, Malawi reported that the delays could be attributed to the practice of some importers who do not obtain prior certification of products before importing. For importation of meat products, SPS certification has to be obtained from Ministry of Agriculture before importing to avoid delays at the border. The same applies to importation of batteries. Import permit must be obtained from ministry of Trade before importation. The meeting accepted Malawi’s submission to have this NTB resolved.  
NTB-000-154 2.8. Lengthy and costly customs clearance procedures 2009-07-27 Tanzania: Tanzania Bureau of Standards Tanzania Resolved
2011-07-28
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Complaint: 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/-  
Resolution status note: 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.
 
NTB-000-161 7.4. Costly procedures 2009-07-27 Tanzania: Ministry of Trade Tanzania Resolved
2016-06-15
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Complaint: 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.  
Resolution status note: 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
 
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
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Complaint: delays in getting SPS approvals  
Resolution status note: 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  
NTB-000-192 7.9. Inadequate trade related infrastructure
Policy/Regulatory
2009-07-27 Mozambique: Beira Port Malawi Resolved
2011-09-23
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Complaint: Inefficient loading and unloading facilities at Nacala and Beira ports in Mozambique resulting in time delays and occasionally additional warehousing costs.  
Resolution status note: 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.  
NTB-000-175 1.1. Export subsidies
B6: Product identity requirement
2009-07-27 Zambia: Bureau of Standards Malawi Resolved
2011-03-04
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Complaint: Zambia has placed standards requirements that sugar from Malawi be fortified with Vitamin A.  
Resolution status note: Zambia reported that all sugar for domestic consumption, be it imported or manufactured locally is supposed to be fortified with vitamin A.  
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
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Complaint: An import levy of 15% is charged on wheat flour  
Resolution status note: 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.  
NTB-000-218 2.10. Inadequate or unreasonable customs procedures and charges
Policy/Regulatory
2009-07-27 Mozambique: Ministry of Trade Zimbabwe Resolved
2010-11-22
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Complaint: In Mozambique, any wine consignment which is not escorted by police attracts a US$ 30 fine. It is not clear what the offence is and at what point the police should start escorting the consignments  
Resolution status note: Mozambique reported that monitoring tax is part of security measures and revenue assurance at risk, there are others situations like this, the most common being the provision of guarantee or security at the starting point of transit. The management system of transit guarantee of SADC, of which Mozambique is a signatory establishes the principle of extra-territorial validity of the warranty  
NTB-000-193 8.7. Costly Road user charges /fees
Policy/Regulatory
2009-07-27 Mozambique: Ministry of Transport Malawi Resolved
2010-11-22
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Complaint: High cost of transportation. Nearly two-thirds of the exported product is transported by the long route of road and rail to Durban, rather than the less expensive route via rail to Nacala, Mozambique. The savings from use of the closer port would be as much as 7-10 percent of total cost  
Resolution status note: The corridors issues is being adressed thorugh the Regional trade facilitation programme. Th eissues are therfore being attended to in the overall regional infrastructure developement programme  
NTB-000-208 2.14. Other 2009-07-27 Malawi: Malawi Revenue Authority Zimbabwe Resolved
2010-11-22
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Complaint: Requirement by the Malawian authorities for SGS certification.  
Resolution status note: Malawi reported that the programme phased out in 2006  
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