URA Issues New Passenger Regulations at Entebbe Airport, No More Baggage Clearing Agent Allowed.

Uganda Revenue Authority has terminated all clearing agents at Entebbe Airport but passengers must present their baggage before a customs officer on duty in person in the new released guidelines.

According to URA, passengers with dutiable or restricted goods shall go through the red channel to declare their goods through a simplified declaration form known as PB4. 

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The PB4 is only used to declare goods whose value does not exceed $2,000 (Shs7.4m). A passenger would be cleared through the exit terminal after paying the appropriate customs taxes.

“Goods whose value exceeds $2,000 will require the services of a clearing agent and clearance will be done through the cargo terminal,” the revenue agency says.

In the new passenger clearance guidelines, Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) re-emphasises procedures at the arrivals section, guides on taxable and nontaxable items, restricted items, as well as illegal items that a traveller may arrive in the country with.

URA said passengers arriving at Entebbe will, upon collection of personal baggage, either be cleared through the green where one has nothing to declare to customs or the red channel for onward customs clearances.

“Passengers with nothing to declare to customs or with baggage consisting of only goods within the prescribed passenger allowance shall exit the passenger terminal through the green channel,” URA said in a statement.

The goods for personal use must not exceed the value of $500 (Shs1.8m). But for this to pass, the passenger must have an authentic receipt confirming the value that corresponds with the items, the taxman adds.

Having realized that most travellers are unaware of customs protocols including basic ones such as carrying cash in excess of $10,000 (about Shs37m) that must be declared at customs on arrival, Even with the tax regime in place, it is not uncommon to find travellers who assume that they have a right to bring with them any quantity of goods and services for personal use.

Of significance in the guideline is that travellers need to have a Tax Identification Number to facilitate clearing taxes.