Clearing agents seek bigger role in EAC Customs Union

By John Oyuke

Regional clearing and forwarding agents want to be allowed to interrogate the proposed East African Community (EAC) Single Customs Territory (SCT) before it is implemented.

They want to mainstream their concerns into the process that will allow for collection of revenue at the port of entry. The Federation of East African Freight Forwarders Associations President, Mathieu Bizimana said that SCT would bring with it many challenges and opportunities that could only be exploited by bringing all stakeholders on board.

He told a sensitisation workshop in Nairobi recently that regional freight logistics sector support to SCT still need to understand the concept and concerns before the Customs model is implemented.

The sensitisation workshop provided the clearing and forwarding industry an opportunity to fully appreciate SCT and interrogate it with a view to mainstreaming all their concerns into the implementation process. The forum also sought to seek regional ideas for an advocacy campaign on the SCT for the clearing and forwarding industry.

Mr Sydney Chibbabbuka who represented the EAC Directorate of Trade and Customs, urged clearing agents to ensure they participate in the meetings either through their country delegations or business and civil society organisations.

The concerns raised by freight logistics sector include single or mutual recognition of Customs agent licences, single Customs bond across the region, single ICT system and inter connectivity.

 Others are a single port connected to inland ports, and clearance, and payment of taxes at the first port of entry as long as payment will be destined to the State, to avert port congestion due to cargo verification.