Complaint

Complaint number
AfCFTA-000-127  
NTB Type
5.4. Other  
Reported through
Web  
Complaint
An exporter engaged in the export of fresh strawberry products to regional markets particularly to Nigeria under the framework of AfCFTA, In March 2026 faced delays in obtaining required export certifications, despite the perishable nature of the product. At customs the process of issuing the AfCFTA rules of origin certificate is manual, resulting in prolonged processing times. These delays are not aligned with the urgency required for perishable goods such as strawberries, leading to deterioration in product quality and reduced market value.
 
Status note
This NTB was resolved through a consultative meeting between the exporter and the customs office responsible for issuing AfCFTA Rules of Origin (RoO) certificates in Addis Ababa. The discussions focused on the perishable nature of the product and the logistical constraints, particularly that cargo shipments via Ethiopian Airlines are primarily scheduled at night. As a result, fresh strawberries require expedited handling to preserve their quality.

Taking these factors into account, customs agreed that the issuance of the RoO certificate should not be delayed by prolonged back-and-forth procedures. Instead, the process was streamlined to ensure that all required documentation is fulfilled promptly, in recognition of the specific needs of perishable goods compared to non-perishable products.  
Progress update note
 
Policy or regulatory NTB
No 
Location
Ethiopia: Ethiopian Customs Authority (Government institution)  
Reporting Country or Region
Ethiopia  
Date of incident
2026-02-11  
Status
Resolved  
Date of resolution
2026-04-21  
Product Description
Straweberries
 
Total value
0  
Date reported
2026-03-28  
Modified
2026-04-21 17:54  
Messages