TKC maps next step to one-stop border post

THE HARMONISATION of axle load
limits on the Trans-Kalahari Corridor –
with trucks in Namibia, Botswana and
SA all travelling with up to
9 000-kilograms axle loads – is a good
omen for the other harmonisation
priorities of the TKC Management
Committee (TKCMC), according to
Bevan Simataa of the Trans-Kalahari
Corridor Secretariat.
And there’s quite a list of priorities,
he told FTW.
“On the customs side,” he said, “we
already have the single administrative
document (SAD) in place, and
harmonised border post
opening hours.”
The focus is now on interaction
between the customs authorities of
all three countries along the corridor –
with each electronically-connected to
the others.
“This is so that information on a
vehicle and its load keyed in at the
beginning of the route electronically
follows it as it transits the corridor,”
said Simataa.
“It then doesn’t need to be keyed in
again at each succeeding border post
along the route.”
The TKCMC is also now targeting a
risk-based approach in customs’ cargo
examinations, with the compliant,
accredited transporters getting a carrot
rather than a stick approach.
“A lot of users of the TKC are
compliant,” said Simataa, “and need to
be offered streamlined treatment at
customs posts.”
Animals on the road is one of the
hazards on the Botswana stretch of the
corridor, and the TKCMC has devised a
plan to beat it.
“But first we have to look at an
environmental impact study,” said
Simataa, “before our plan to fence
off the corridor in Botswana can be
implemented.”
The TKCMC also has a keen eye on
harmonising the weighbridges along
the route.
The problem faced is that a lot of
the equipment is old, and needs to be
upgraded. “We need to check that the
upgrading brings them each up to the
same operating standard as the others.”