East African Community to adopt single customs territory for faster clearance

The East African Community plans to adopt a single customs territory system (SCT) to enable faster clearance of goods to reduce the cost of doing business in the region.

Through this, the respective governments look forward to cutting the time and resources used in collecting custom taxes at various borders.

This was discussed in Nairobi by respective Commissioner Generals of Revenue Authorities from Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania, Burundi and Democratic Republic of Congo who sought to find ways of implementing the SCT projects.

Speaking after the meeting, Kenya Revenue Authority Commissioner General John Njiraini said the EAC wants to enhance custom compliance in the region to cut losses. “We want to ensure faster clearance of goods at the first point of entry within East Africa,” he said.

Njiraini said the creation of SCT will enable partner States to enjoy economies of scale, with a view of supporting the process of economic development.

“The EAC Customs Union will create a level playing field for producers in the region by imposing uniform competition policy and law, customs procedures and external tariffs on goods imported from third countries. This will assist the region to advance its economic development and poverty reduction agenda.”