Customs offices have many responsibilities, including ensuring that imported goods meet legal standards and safeguarding national security, public health, and the economy. One crucial aspect of their work is dealing with issues like smuggling and tax evasion. To tackle these challenges effectively, customs officials increasingly rely on advanced technology for inspections.
Recently, Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) discovered an unreported Mitsubishi Canter at Makasa Customs Office. This discovery came about when the client presented a Bill of Lading indicating five Canter trucks, but the Non-Intrusive Inspection (NII) scanner revealed six.
Ibrahim Bbossa, the URA spokesperson, explained, “The NII image showed six units, whereas the declaration only mentioned five. Consequently, an alert was sent to the enforcement team to stop and inspect the shipment.” The Makasa Customs enforcement team later confirmed the presence of an unreported Mitsubishi Canter.
In line with Sections 200 and 203 of the East African Community Customs Management Act (EACMMA), an importer caught concealing goods can face up to five years in prison or a fine equal to half the dutiable value of the items. This is the situation for Duplex Forwarders, the declarant for Rose Nabuuma, who neither included the Canter in the Bill of Lading nor declared it for customs duties and taxes.
During the fiscal year 2022/23, customs enforcement operations in Uganda recovered a total of UGX 132.77 billion through 14,187 seizures. These seizures included under-declaration (42.61%), mis-description/false documentation (11.70%), outright smuggling (7.11%), undervaluation (4.54%), misclassification (1.12%), concealment (0.60%), and other offenses (32.96%).
The interception of the unreported Mitsubishi Canter at Makasa Customs Office highlights the ongoing challenges faced by customs operations worldwide. Investing in technologies like the Non-Intrusive Inspection (NII) system isn’t just a convenience; it’s a necessity for locating hidden objects and preventing illegal activities due to its advanced imaging and analytical capabilities.
URA encourages its clients to stay vigilant and follow established procedures that facilitate trade. Furthermore, the tax authority plans to enhance process automation using the latest technology, underscoring its commitment to protecting national interests and borders.