The Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) has intensified sensitization of importers, clearing agents and other stakeholders in Uganda on its new Imports Electronic Portal (E-Portal), a digital platform designed to simplify and speed up the imports inspection and clearance process.
The engagements held in Busia, Malaba, Mbale and Jinja brought together stakeholders in the imports and clearance fraternity and key business operators to understand the E-Portal, its benefits and how to use it to access UNBS import inspection and clearance services.
Speaking during the engagements, the Principal Inspector, National Inspection at UNBS, Mr. Gaston Kironde, said the E-Portal was introduced to make the clearance process more convenient, efficient and transparent.
“UNBS introduced the Imports E-Portal system to ensure that importers can easily navigate through the clearance process on their dashboards, computers or smartphones at their location of convenience. With a Tax Identification Number (TIN) and an email address, importers can create an account and begin using the platform.” Kironde said.
He noted that the system, accessible on the UNBS website via https://eportal.unbs.go.ug/ , has significantly reduced the turnaround time for clearance of consignments, from three (3) days to three (3) hours for compliant importers. It also provides an automatic release function for consignments accompanied by valid Certificates of Conformity (CoCs), Certificates of Road Worthiness (CRWs) and automatically allocates import entries to UNBS inspectors, a feature intended to improve efficiency, reduce potential conflicts of interest and opportunities for corruption.
Clients who have interfaced with the E-portal affirmed the seamless experience and reduced turnaround time, during the engagements.
The E-Portal is integrated with the Customs system and automatically generates Payment Registration Numbers (PRNs). Upon completion of the inspection process, it also auto generates the Imports Clearance Certificate (ICC), confirming that a consignment has undergone UNBS inspection and has been found fit for release onto the Ugandan market.
The Head of Public Relations and Marketing at UNBS, Ms. Sylvia Kirabo, said the E-Portal was introduced in response to complaints from importers and clearing agents about delays in the inspection and clearance process. She encouraged the importers to undertake Pre-Export Verification of Conformity (PVoC) and embrace E-portal, to enjoy a seamless experience.
“PVoC and the E-Portal complement each other and an importer who undertakes both gets a seamless experience. Importers are therefore encouraged to embrace the two, to avoid the penalties and delays that come with Destination Inspection.’ She said.
Pre-Export Verification of Conformity to Standards (PVoC) is an inspection and verification program carried out on goods by appointed inspection agents in the country of export. Consignments that evade PVoC are subject to Destination inspection and incur a surcharge of 15% CIF value in addition to the inspection fees paid for the goods to be inspected and cleared at the entry point.
The Eastern Uganda engagements follow similar sensitization activities previously conducted in Western and Central Uganda and are part of UNBS efforts to increase awareness and uptake of the E-portal while obtaining feedback from users.
