Effective June 1, 2024, traders importing rice and other fresh produce from Tanzania will need to follow new labeling guidelines set by the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA). These guidelines require clear labeling to ensure transparency and maintain quality standards.
According to the new rules, the labels must include several pieces of information. These include whether the rice was milled or genetically modified, the product name, class, name of the manufacturer, batch number, net weight, storage instructions, crop year, and instructions for disposing of the used packaging.
Reagan Basoga, the supervisor of the Mutukula One Stop Border Post, explained that these changes aim to maintain quality standards and ensure that the 75% import duty on rice originating outside the East African Community (EAC) is properly collected. This duty has often been avoided due to adulteration of products.
Geoffrey Kawere Ssozi, the manager of customs in the South Western region, stated that these requirements will be enforced jointly by customs verification and the Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS). Speaking at a stakeholders’ meeting at the Mutukula One Stop Border Post, Kawere advised traders who find it difficult to comply with the new guidelines to write to the URA with valid reasons for their non-compliance.
He also instructed Customs Clearing agents not to tamper with exit notes flagged in the system. He added that any exceptions to the new rules would only last for 14 days starting from June 1, 2024.
Okada Paul Norman, the chairperson of the Mutukula Freight Forwarders Association, requested that the URA allow traders to use up their old stock before enforcing the new labeling standards. He pointed out that some traders already have labeled sacks that do not meet the new UNBS standards.
Salongo Sewabumba Wasswa, the General Secretary of Mutukula General Traders Limited, emphasized the need for Tanzania and Uganda to harmonize their policies. He noted that it is important for traders in both countries to feel that they are being treated fairly and working in a business-friendly environment.
These new labeling guidelines aim to create a transparent and standardized system for importing fresh produce, ensuring fair trade practices and the proper collection of duties.
