Following the loss of Shs 4.5bn due to non-compliant passengers in the year 2021-2022. Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) has issued new passenger clearance guidelines at Entebbe airport aimed at boosting revenue collections. Under the new guidelines, every passenger that arrives at Entebbe Airport will either be cleared through the green channel where one has nothing to declare to customs, or the red, for those with dutiable or restricted goods.
Simon Esunget the Uganda Revenue Authority manager in charge of Customs at Entebbe International said that the new guidelines are aimed at deterring passengers dealing in trade from trying to evade paying taxes. “We found out that many people coming from abroad had made it a habit to evade taxes by pretending that they have nothing to declare to customs yet they do.
Esunget, states that passengers with restricted goods are expected to go through the red channel to declare their goods and pay customs to the authority with goods not exceeding USD 2000. Those with personal and non-dutiable goods go through the green channel with goods not exceeding USD 500.
“There are goods that are prohibited and restricted, such as used computers, cocaine and other drugs,” Esunget said, “while restricted goods include drone cameras and and medicaments that need clearance and are taxed.”
by jonathan bukenya
