Analysis of Mozambique’s discipline on fees and charges
This study was conducted in the context of Mozambique’s acceptance of the World Trade Organization (WTO) Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA), especially in the light of the articles 6.1 and 6.2 on fees and charges imposed or relating to importation, exportation and penalties. The study was financed by USAID’s Supporting the Policy Environment for Economic Development (SPEED+) project, and co-planned with the Mozambique National Trade Facilitation Committee (NTFC). The Mozambique Confederation of Business Associations (CTA), the Mozambique Revenue Authority (AT) and the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MIC), who are equally members of the NTFC, played a pivotal role in providing inputs and facilitating stakeholder meetings.
This is a USAID funded project in Mozambique that provides expertise to the Government of Mozambique (GoM) to support economic and structural reform in the areas of agriculture, trade, business enabling environment, energy, water and biodiversity conservation. Equally, the project support areas of improved fiscal transparency, tax policy and economic and environmental governance.
The objectives of the study were: (i) to conduct a detailed analysis of the fees and charges imposed on imports and exports by Customs, other government agencies, and private companies providing clearance-related services; (ii) to conduct a comparative analysis with other countries in the Southern and Eastern Africa region; and (iii) to provide recommendations on possible negotiations of contracts with private companies. The main body of the report covers the first objective.
The study was undertaken by conducting a document review, interviews with stakeholders and validation meetings at national and subnational level, and visits to two ports (Ressano Garcia in Maputo province and Beira in Sofala province).