Small-scale traders in Uganda who import goods from China are currently in a tight fix over gaps in cargo documentation, rising import tax bills, and overall bureaucracy despite advanced trade management tools from their country’s regulatory body.
According to the East African Publication, a recent directive from the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) requires importers to submit master and house bills of lading for all cargo containers arriving in the country. This new directive has left traders in the country who usually prefer consolidation of cargo in a dilemma.
The country’s revenue authority explained the reason behind its new directive in a statement accredited to one of its principal officers.
The failure to provide a house bill of lading documentation amongst small-scale traders in Uganda has led to a prolonged duration for clearance of import cargo, increased warehouse bills accrued by affected traders, and cases of prohibitive import tax bills.
In response to the directive by URA, a local shoe importer explained the complexities and difficulties faced by importers in the country during the clearance process of their imported cargo.
Another importer explained why it would be difficult to get house bills of laden from Ugandan importers citing their mode of import as a major stumbling block to the directive.
Despite the concern raised by the traders, URA still insists on the documentation. A tax director explained the anomalies the agency was trying to curb by insisting on the documentation.
The Ugandan Revenue Authority has made some recent technological investments in its customs system to improve the quality of service and also sharpen its detective abilities to checkmate any form of malpractice and suspicious cargo movements.
