Luanda: Angola's Competition Regulatory Authority (ARC) has imposed a fine of AOA 7,245,638 on the Chamber of Official Customs Brokers of Angola (CDOA) for restricting competition in the domestic market.
According to Angola Press News Agency, the case concerns the adoption of a minimum fee schedule for customs clearance services, which prevents official customs brokers from freely setting their prices. In a statement sent to ANGOP, the ARC noted that the infringement stemmed from a resolution approved by the CDOA Extraordinary General Assembly held in December 2022. This resolution introduced a fee schedule and mandated the direct setting of prices to be charged by official customs brokers for the import and export of goods.
The regulator highlighted that competition enables consumers to access more competitive prices, better quality services, and greater innovation. By setting mandatory minimum fees, the measure limited the ability of official customs brokers to compete based on their prices, reducing customers' freedom of choice and affecting the normal functioning of the market.
In addition to imposing the fine, the Competition Regulatory Authority has ordered the immediate cessation of the infringement and the revocation of the fee schedule. The CDOA is required to inform its members and the general public that prices for customs clearance services must be determined independently and autonomously by each economic operator, without coordination or imposition by professional associations.
Furthermore, the CDOA must provide the ARC with proof of compliance with these measures within 30 days from the date on which the decision becomes final or acquires the force of res judicata, in accordance with the Competition Law. The Authority considers that the customs clearance services market plays an important role in international trade and national economic activity. Preserving effective competition in this market is thus a matter of public interest, and the decision sets a crucial precedent for ensuring that professional and business associations operate in accordance with competition rules.
Finally, the ARC reiterated its commitment to promoting, defending, and preserving competition in Angola, with the aim of preventing and sanctioning practices that could undermine the efficient functioning of markets, for the benefit of consumers, economic operators, and the national economy.
