Inside URA’s new passenger clearance rules at Entebbe airport

KAMPALA, UGANDA: Uganda’s tax-collecting body URA (Uganda Revenue Authority) has released new passenger clearance guidelines at Entebbe International Airport to increase tax compliance and fight increasing cases of corruption at the airport.

In the new rules, emphasis has been put on guiding travellers coming into the country on taxable and non-taxable items or restricted items, as well as illegal items that are unacceptable for entry.

The revenue collector in a Wednesday statement 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,” reads in part a statement by URA.

According to the new rules, 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.

However, the rules dictate that a passenger is advised to have an authentic receipt confirming the value that corresponds with the items.

“Passengers with goods whose value exceeds USD 2,000 about [Shs7 million] will require the services of a clearing agent which be done through the cargo terminal. Passengers who come into the country with money in excess of USD 10,000 about [Shs360 million] are advised to report to customs and declare the money in their possession.”

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

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,” URA says.

The new tax rules come after the Entebbe Airport in January was shrewd in the spotlight over extortion exposure involving service providers, including immigration, customs, cleaning and ground handling services.