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PASSENGER CLEARANCE AT ENTEBBE AIRPORT

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CLEARANCE THROUGH THE GREEN CHANNEL

Passengers with nothing to declare to URA or with baggage consisting of only goods for personal use not exceeding the value of USD 500 shall exit the passenger terminal through the green channel.

CLEARANCE THROUGH THE RED CHANNEL

Passengers with restricted goods shall go through the red channel to declare their goods through a simplified declaration form (PB4), pay appropriate customs taxes and exit the terminal with their goods (cargo).

NOTE: The PB4 will only be used to declare goods whose value does not exceed USD 2,000.

List of restricted items that require clearance from the designated Government Agencies before releasing by customs at the airport:

SNITEMGovernment Agency Concerned
1All medicinesNational Drug Authority (NDA)
2Arms and ammunition and military storesMinistry of Internal Affairs (MIA)
3Betting and gaming equipmentLotteries and Gaming Board
4ChemicalsUganda National Bureau of Statistics (UNBS)
5Drones, explosivesUganda Peoples Defense Force (UPDF)
6MineralsMinistry of Energy
7Live insects, birds, animals and animal productsMinistry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF)
8Live Plants and plant products 

Prohibited items (goods whose importation or exportation is completely not allowed by any of the laws in force in Uganda) from importation through the airport;

 1. Used electronics WEF 2009 which include:

  1. Computers including monitors
  2. Laptops
  3. Television sets
  4. Fridges
  5. Deep freezers

2. Used motor vehicles above 15 years

3. Used motor vehicle tires

4. Cosmetics with hydroquinone and mercury

5. Monofilament fi shing nets

6. Smokeless and flavoured tobacco e.g. shisha

7. Pornography

8. Narcotics

9. Illicit goods e.g., wildlife trade goods like ivory, animal skins, etc

10. Polythene bags.

11. Used undergarments for give out as donations

TAX PAYMENT CHANNELS.

  1. Online payment options (VISA, MasterCard, American Express, Union Pay, Mobile Money)
  2. Payment Transfer Instructions (EFT, RTGS and Swift)
  3. Any bank of your choice in Uganda.

NOTE:

  • A receipt must be presented to the customs officer as proof of payment.
  • All payments are done electronically.
  • No payments should be given to URA officials, in cash or in kind

QN: Can the arriving passenger use the services of a clearing agent to declare their goods?

ANS: No. The arriving passenger shall personally (not through a clearing agent) present his/her baggage before a customs officer on duty, who shall examine the same in the presence of the owner.

QN: What if the passenger does not have taxes readily available?

ANS: If the passenger does not have taxes readily available, the goods shall remain in customs custody and the passenger will be issued a goods deposit note which such a passenger shall present when he/she is ready to clear the goods

QN: What happens if the goods are confirmed to be dutiable/taxable?

 ANS1: The customs officer shall deposit the goods with customs (URA) and issue an assessment of the taxes payable.

ANS2: Upon payment of the assessed taxes, the customs officer shall issue a release of the goods and the passenger will be allowed to exit with his/her goods.

QN: For how long do customs keep the goods that have not paid tax?

ANS:  Goods that have not paid tax may remain in customs custody for a maximum of 30 days from the date the passenger is issued a goods deposit note

QN: What happens if items in the passenger baggage are found to be restricted?

ANS: The passenger will be guided to obtain clearance from the relevant authority and the goods shall remain in customs custody until such clearance has been obtained and delivered to customs. The passenger will be issued a goods deposit note.

QN: What happens if items in passenger baggage are prohibited?

ANS: If the goods in the passenger baggage are prohibited, the passenger will be charged for importing prohibited items into Uganda in line with the law (East African Community Customs Management Act).

This Article Also Answers the Following Questions :

  • What happens if the goods are confirmed to be dutiable/taxable?
  • What happens if items in passenger baggage are prohibited?
  • What happens if items in the passenger baggage are found to be restricted?
  • For how long do customs keep the goods that have not paid tax?
  • Can the arriving passenger use the services of a clearing agent to declare their goods?
  • What if the passenger does not have taxes readily available?

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