Zimbabwe dangerous goods rule in focus at cross-border pow wow

Enforcement of the 6am to 6pm restriction on dangerous goods in Zimbabwe was high on the agenda when around 80 Cross-Border Road Transport Agency representatives from South Africa, Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique and DRC met in Pretoria recently. The increasing number of licensing requirements for foreign transporters was another issue raised by the delegates. This was a first-of-its-kind meeting, with the CBRTA traditionally organising bi-lateral meetings between South Africa and other countries. The objective was for problem issues being experienced in the region to be raised and debated in a multi-lateral forum, Barney Curtis, executive director of the Federation of East and Southern African Road Transport Associations (Fesarta), who attended the event told FTW. What emerged from the SA Revenue Service presentation was the increased emphasis being placed on its accreditation programme, with the intention of added compliance and benefits. The World Customs Organisation’s AEO programme is being used as a guideline and Sars is working with international organisations and countries to come up with the best solution. “While there was an agenda which identified the issues to be discussed in the meeting – ie, border problems, law enforcement, loading control and the like – some delegates were determined to raise the many other issues on their minds so that it was not possible for solutions to be produced and documented,” Curtis said. “The CBRTA documented all the issues and will deal with them back at the office.” INSERT ‘The World Customs Organisation’s AEO programme is being used as a guideline.’