The role of national revenue authorities in EAC trade

One administration per partner state

Even though the CET and rules of origin are common across the EAC, customs clearance remains handled by the national revenue authority of the country of entry or exit: Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA), Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA), Uganda Revenue Authority (URA), Rwanda Revenue Authority (RRA), Burundi Revenue Authority (OBR), Directorate General of Customs and Excise (DGDA) in DRC. Somalia and South Sudan have their own customs services, at different stages of institutional development.

Why this matters for traders

Precise formalities (computerised clearance systems, required documents, payment arrangements) can vary from one country to another even for an operation under the same EAC regime. Before any operation, identify the revenue authority competent for your point of entry or exit and check its own publications directly.

Limits of this guide

This guide does not detail each revenue authority's internal procedures: see each institution's entry in the platform's institutions directory.