Trucks at the Nimule Customs yard | Credit | Deng Daniel

South Sudan Revenue Authority has extended the period for the enforcement of the Ministerial order on the Electronic Cargo Tracking of trucks to 15th of March.

On the 4th of March 2024, the Commissioner for Customs Division issued a circular, that all importers and exporters must comply with the tracking system.

Africano Mande also imposed a mandatory service fee of $350 on importers and exporters as a prerequisite to obtain a certificate.

The initiative between the government of South Sudan and a Ugandan private Company, Invesco aims to combat goods smuggling.

However, on 6, March, the Revenue Authority issued another circular, directing the Commissioner for Customs to extend the enforcement Cargo Tracking system grace period the up to 15th of March.

It cited that the time given was too short as some importers and exporters missed out on complying with the Ministerial order.

The decision followed a meeting between the commissioners of South Sudan and Uganda revenue authorities.

“The meeting resolved to extend the grace period to 15 March 2024 and it is then that no importer and exporter will be allowed to load and move towards and outside South Sudan will be fully compliance with Mandatory Electronic Cargo Tracking Note,” reads the statement.

An Electronic Cargo Tracking Note (ECTN), also known as a Waiver Certificate, is a mandatory shipping document for importing cargo to 25 African countries.

The Cargo Tracking Note is designed to provide local customs authorities with the required information and visibility about the import shipment