The Simplified Trade Regime (STR) is an arrangement implemented by Member States of COMESA to formalize and improve the performance of the small scale cross border traders and enable them to benefit from the regional preferential treatment when importing or exporting goods within the region.
Uganda and DRC have agreed on list of products eligible for Cross border Trade between Uganda and Democratic Republic of Congo and also developed Simplified Trade Regime Toolkit.
How does the STR work?
The Simplified Trade Regime is intended to help COMESA Member States overcome challenges facing cross border traders by simplifying the process of customs clearances.Goods imported under the STR enter in and out of Uganda free of customs import duty and through a simplified customs procedure.
For a trader to take advantage of the STR, the following aspects must be followed;
The trader must complete a simplified customs document (declaration form)
A simplified certificate of origin must also be signed and stamped by a customs official of the exporting country.
The certificate of origin is issued at the border by a Customs Officer and is for consignments of US$2,000 or less.
A simplified customs declaration document must be filled by the trader as he or she enters the country of import.
The goods in question must be on the common list of qualifying goods existing or displayed at the customs offices(The list is attached.)
The simplified customs document and the certificate of origin must be filled at the border post by the trader and certified by a customs
official.
Goods imported and exported should comply with the normal food safety,plant and animal health regulations including environmental protection. Import or export permits required to import or export certain agricultural foods and animal products are still applicable.
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