By Elizabeth Nakiru, Media Management
Uganda Revenue Authority is putting in place measures on how to handle cargo that comes into the country to promote efficient service delivery and improve revenue collection of customs as well as reduce the gaps for revenue loss that come from abandonment of goods at warehouses.
It is upon this background that Importers of the following: wheat flour and wheat grain, mobile devices and phones, tiles, marble and granite of all kinds, lubricants, automotive batteries, toiletries and cosmetic products, pasta and spaghetti, and flavors for soft drinks have been directed through a public notice to pay for taxes on the above-mentioned products upon arrival at the various entry points into the country.
The listed items have been restricted in fulfillment of the customs laws particularly article 64(k) of the East African Community Customs Management regulations 2010 (EACMA).
The URA also seeks to better manage the contingencies that come with these products including their fragility, high level of perishability, flammability, and the fact that most of these goods are not assorted but are usually imported as a single carton.
This move is to equally encourage import traders to plan ahead of time to pay the taxes due on the goods they are importing upon arrival at the boarders or entry points like the water ports and airport. This will further ease movement once the goods have been cleared straight to the market instead of going to the warehouse.
“The affected stakeholders will be engaged by URA through a sector by sector basis, therefore I encourage them to be open to the coming engagements when called upon,” said Ivan Kakaire, Manager Customs Planning.
This directive will be effective from 1st June 2023 to enable stakeholders adjust and comply to the new customs clearance measure of the named products.
