Background

The outbreak of COVID-19 in 2020 has interrupted almost all global sectors including the supply chain systems that are heavily reliant on transport and logistics services, which allow movement of goods and services across the SADC region. Most governments in the region responded to COVID-19 by putting in place measures that include border restrictions and limitations on the movement of cargo across regional boundaries thereby affecting cross border trade. Although the measures are important, facilitating the movement of essential goods and services remains a priority for livelihoods, industry and economic sustainability for SADC and Africa at large.

The recent border delays and queues arising from border restrictions and limitations on the movement of cross border cargo because of COVID-19 disrupts supply chains and inhibits intra-regional trade. SADC identifies NTBs to trade as one of the main obstacles to intra-regional trade and hence regional integration.

What are NTBs?

Non-Tariff Barriers (NTBs) refer to any barrier to trade other than import and export duties that make trade difficult and costly. They also refer to restrictions that result from prohibitions, conditions, or specific market requirements that make importation or exportation of products difficult and/or costly. NTBs also include unjustified and/or improper application of Non-Tariff Measures (NTMs) for example Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) measures and Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT).