South Sudan National Revenue Authority (SSNRA) has instructed Kenya and Uganda to install electronic cargo tracking seals on all cargo imported or exported out of the country.
In a notice by SSNRA Commissioner Major General Riek Gathon, the authority stated that the directive will apply to dry and wet transit cargo destined to and from the Republic of South Sudan.
The notice targeted key hubs across East Africa including the Mombasa Port, Nairobi, Kampala, and Eldoret.
“South Sudan National Revenue Authority (NRA) Customs Division is hereby instructing the entire business community, taxpayers, clearing agents and transporters including non-governmental organisations across board, that all dry and wet transit cargo destined to and from the Republic of South Sudan shall be armed with electronic cargo tracking seals,” the statement read in part.
“This will be starting from the particular points of inbound or outbound including but not limited to Mombasa Port, Nairobi, Kampala and Eldoret.”
According to Major General Gathon, the South Sudan NRA Customs Officers and the National Revenue authorities of the countries being transited will be in charge of implementing the electronic device on behalf of the South Sudanese government.
All transporters who fail to adhere to the directive will be slapped with a hefty fine.
"Take notice that failure to adhere to this directive shall attract a fine at the border of entry or exit by the South Sudan Customs Office. Your cooperation is highly appreciated."
The trade relations between the East African region have been in doubt following the decision by Uganda to cut ties with Kenya over importing their oil products through the Mombasa Port.
Further, the situation escalated after other countries also hinted at following in Uganda's suit.
Nonetheless, President William Ruto has been engaging his counterparts in the East African region in a bid to foster integration among the countries.
Recently, he toured Tanzania during the EAC Climate Summit where he called for enhanced regional integration.
On the other hand, South Sudan and Kenya have been enjoying bilateral trade relations in the past.
In August 2023, President Ruto hosted his South Sudanese counterpart Salva Kiir at State House, where the two Heads of State discussed ways of enhancing trade relations for the mutual benefit of the two nations.
This included implementing infrastructural projects under the Lamu Port South-Sudan-Ethiopia Transport Corridor project (LAPSSET).
This, according to Ruto, would enhance connectivity and boost intra-regional trade.
The two leaders also signed a Memorandum of Understanding for several trade deals to boost the infrastructure of both nations.
