Non-Tariff Barrier Monitoring Mechanism

This case study examines the Non-Tariff Barrier (NTB) Monitoring Mechanism used by private sector actors in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the Tripartite Free Trade Area to report trade barriers. While the online database successfully registers complaints, the document highlights significant failures in the resolution process, particularly regarding transport-related barriers, due to a lack of political will, technical expertise, and effective institutional structures.

• The NTB Monitoring Mechanism allows private sector actors in the SADC and Tripartite Free Trade Area to report complaints via an online database, but the resolution of these barriers is often ineffective. Reported NTBs affect products representing "one-fifth, of regional trade", valued at $3.3 billion.
• Transport-related NTBs represent the largest number of unresolved complaints. As of September 2013, there were 39 long-standing transport complaints (unresolved for at least 90 days), with some remaining on the system for over 1,000 days.
• Border and port delays cause significant financial losses for businesses. Shoprite reports a cost of $500 for every day a truck is delayed at a border, and the Citrus Growers’ Association of South Africa estimates that delays at the Port of Durban cost members $10.5 million per season.
• Several structural and technical obstacles hinder the resolution of NTBs, including the inefficiency of National Monitoring Committees (NMCs) and a shortage of technical skills within SADC and national trade or finance ministries to classify and interrogate reported barriers.
• The resolution of NTBs is heavily dependent on political will because SADC prefers cooperative rather than litigious dispute settlement. This leaves offending governments with the discretion to decide whether to resolve a reported barrier, with some potentially maintaining them to protect local industries or revenue.
• A specific case involving Zambia demonstrates the failure of the mechanism: despite the SADC Secretariat requesting that Zambia explain why it should not recognize foreign roadworthy certifications for tankers, Zambian authorities continued applying onerous domestic standards and charging for permits, increasing transport costs.

APA

South African Institute of International Affairs (n.d.). Non-Tariff Barrier Monitoring Mechanism. https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/141125_EDIP_GIZreport_pg79-86_CS8.pdf

Chicago

South African Institute of International Affairs. Non-Tariff Barrier Monitoring Mechanism. n.d. https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/141125_EDIP_GIZreport_pg79-86_CS8.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=South African Institute of International Affairs |title=Non-Tariff Barrier Monitoring Mechanism |url=https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/141125_EDIP_GIZreport_pg79-86_CS8.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{southafricaninstituteofinternationalaffairsndnontariff, author = {{South African Institute of International Affairs}}, title = {{Non-Tariff Barrier Monitoring Mechanism}}, institution = {South African Institute of International Affairs}, url = {https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/141125_EDIP_GIZreport_pg79-86_CS8.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }