By Annet Nantongo
URA apprehended 3 trucks last week as they ferried 49 rolls of steel coils that were mis-declared as scrap from South Sudan. The Elegu Enforcement received a Non-intrusive inspection (NII) cargo scanner alert about the trucks and immediately intercepted them to uncover over 87,955kgs of steel coils as detailed below;
Truck Reg No. UAM 801T / UAQ 136L was found containing 14 rolls of stainless steel coils with total weight of 25,130kgs in 80 x 80 x 113 cm dimensions.
The second truck Reg No. UBL 234L / UAL 753X 90 was found with 16 rolls of stainless steel coils with total weight of 28,720kgs in 80 x 80 x 113 cm in dimensions.
The third truck Reg No. UBE 928F / UAZ 138Q was found containing 19 rolls of stainless steel coil with total weight of 34,105kgs, also in 80 x 80 x 113 cm dimensions.
Offence management is on-going establish ways of recovering the revenue due which is estimated at close to UGX 100m.
In accordance with Sections 200 and 203 of the EACMMA, an importer found to be in the act of concealing goods faces up to five years in prison or a fine equal to half of the dutiable worth of the items in question.
Investment in technologies like NII isn’t just a modern convenience but a vital necessity that is essential in locating hidden objects and stopping illegal activity because of its sophisticated imaging and analytic capabilities.
In the fiscal year 2022/23, customs enforcement operations across the country, recovered a total of UGX 132.77 billion through 14,187 seizures. Of these, 11.70% was mis-description/false documentation.
URA urges clients to comply with procedures that have been created to facilitated trade. In addition, the taxman will invest in automating its processes with the latest technology to create a leveled marketplace.
Additional information by Simon Ssentale Wasswa
