• Kasumbalesa is one of Zambia’s busiest borders with the DRC – allowing for the movement of bulk cargo.
• The main issue is that they have not been keeping to the laid down timetables.
• There are other impediments to trade which transporters complain of such as imposition of excessive tolls and Covid tests.
Ndola & District Chamber of Commerce and Industry says customs processing delays on the Congolese side of Kasumbalesa One-Stop Border Post are creating an artificial surge in costs for transporters, freight forwarders and everyone in the entire Transport Chain.
Chamber President Paul Chisunka told Money FM News that despite Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) making relentless efforts to decongest the border, the Chamber has not seen the same level of dedication and determination from the Congolese side as they have not been keeping to the laid down timetables.
Mr. Chisunka said there are frequent reports from members in Transport & Logistics of the customs authorities opening late and closing early, thereby causing unnecessary delays.
“Ndola Chamber of Commerce is gravely concerned about recent reports received from our members in Transport & Logistics regarding continued customs processing delays on the Congolese side of the Kasumba Lesa One-Stop Border Post.”
“To add to this, there are other impediments to trade which transporters complain of such as the imposition of excessive tolls and Covid tests which frustrate the movement of cargo,” Mr. Chisunka said.
He appealed to Zambian authorities to diplomatically reach out to their counterparts in the DRC and ensure that all the issues raised are urgently addressed because they are having a negative impact on trade between the two countries and hampering regional trade.
“There were meetings held and resolutions made to the effect that at least a minimum of 600 trucks should be processed by customs authorities on either side on a daily basis to decongest the border post,” he noted.
Kasumbalesa is one of Zambia’s busiest borders with the DRC, allowing for the movement of bulk cargo, raw materials and various commodities between the two countries and linking to the wider SADC and COMESA regions, thus facilitating trade and commerce.