Zambia’s ‘arbitrary’ transport fees slated

Harmonisation of fees and permits would go a long way in addressing ever-increasing costs in the transport industry. Botswana-based operators have raised concerns over the lack of harmonisation, saying it is leading to situations where some countries take advantage of transporters by increasing fees without consultation or engagement and with total disregard for regional agreements. “Zambia is one example of where this is happening,” one transporter told FTW. “Permit fees and other costs are increased or implemented regardless of what other countries are charging. There is a definite feeling amongst transporters that Zambia is taking advantage by trying to protect its own industry through the excessive fees they charge cross-border operators.” At the same time legislation, systems and procedures are often changed or implemented with total disregard for the impact on transporters from other countries. Not only have transporters from Botswana raised this issue, the South African Road Freight Association (RFA) has numerous times expressed its concern. According to RFA spokesman Gavin Kelly, Zambia is one of the countries where new regulations and fees are imposed on crossborder transporters all the time. “There are new fees to be paid for new regulations all the time that dramatically affect costs,” he said. Efforts to address the issues with Zambian authorities have however proved fruitless.