The Federation of East African Freight Forwarders Associations (FEAFFA) is pushing for waiver of the licensing fee of customs agents to cushion them against the huge toll on income occasioned by the Covid19 pandemic.
In a letter dated 13th October this year, FEAFFA president wrote to revenue authorities in Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan and Tanzania saying that the sector is dominated by small and medium sized firms that have been severely affected by the pandemic. Section 151 (1) of EACMR 2010 requires Customs agents to pay an annual fee every year.
“As encouraged in the April 2020 EAC administrative guidelines to facilitate movement of goods and services during the Covid-19 pandemic and the numerous austerity measures put in place by national governments to facilitate recovery of businesses and as a gesture to this critical sector to continue supporting the economies of the EAC region, FEAFFA requests EAC Partner States’ Revenue Authorities to waiver the licensing fees for Customs agents for the 2021 to contribute to the recovery of this critical sector,” the letter read in part.
Due to its regional reach, the association has played a significant role in bringing the industry together to lobby for joint initiatives among the Member States to enhance seamless flow of the goods since the first case was reported in the region.
With the support of the Trademark East Africa (TMEA) and other industry players, FEAFFA has provided a platform for joint measures to connect the region.
FEAFFA played a central role in lobbying for extension of free storage period for transit cargo in Tanzania and Mombasa due to the slow evacuation of the cargo from the ports. It also played another significant role in extension of return of the empty containers, which was occasioned by delays along the corridors and at border crossing points.
FEAFFA together with the trucking industry and other stakeholders in EAC advocated for a private sector led Journey Management System (JMS) that sought to contribute to professionalization of the industry and incorporate driver welfare as well as being scalable in other countries. This idea was later considered and incorporated within the Regional Electronic Cargo and Drivers Tracking System (RECDTS), which is issuing electronic Covid 19 certificates recognized by all Member States.
FEAFFA is also implementing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to guide the industry in coping with Covid 19 as the logistics industry seeks to spring back in a ‘new normal’ environment. The Federation through its social media platforms, has continued with the sensitization drive to raise awareness on the importance of observing the SOPs as one way of combating further spread of the virus.
The sensitization drive is being conducted in form of interactive videos and posters with Covid19 messages targeting customs agents and freight forwarders in the East African region.
“We are glad that the industry players have embraced the SOPs, and now the industry players, including truck drivers who at some point were seen as super spreaders have recorded reduced cases,” Seka told Freight Logistics.
“FEAFFA is working with other stakeholders to monitor and ensure that the guidelines are followed properly,” Seka added.
The sensitization campaign materials were initially approved by World Health Organization (WHO) representatives in Kenya and other industry stakeholders before the launch of the sensitization across the region.
