A training program for the Customs Clearing and Freight Forwarding Industry and Customs Officers has officially commenced at the Elegu One Stop Border Post, marking a significant milestone for South Sudan’s logistics and trade sector. More than 30 clearing agents, freight forwarders, and customs officers from both Nimule and Juba are participating in this Training of Trainers (ToT) program. It forms part of the preparations for the implementation of the Certificate in Customs and Freight Logistics (CCFL), a mandatory regional qualification required for the licensing of clearing agents within the East African Community (EAC).
The training is conducted within the framework of the EAC Single Customs Territory and aligns with the principle of mutual recognition of clearing agents among Partner States. It aims to equip agents with comprehensive knowledge and practical skills in customs procedures, regulatory compliance, risk management, and operational efficiency. The overarching goal is to facilitate faster cargo clearance, lower trade costs, and increase trade volumes across the region.
This initiative is coordinated by the Federation of East African Freight Forwarders Associations (FEAFFA) in collaboration with the South Sudan Revenue Authority (SSRA) and the South Sudan Freight Forwarders Association (SSFFA), with support from the Northern Corridor Transit and Transport Coordination Authority (NCCTTCA).
The training targets the development of a core group of pioneer trainers selected from SSRA and SSFFA. Upon completion, these trainers will lead the rollout of the CCFL program across South Sudan.
Key course areas covered in the training include customs clearance procedures, classification of goods, customs valuation, the EAC Rules of Origin, carriage of goods, freight forwarding operations, warehousing operations, port operations, and customs management information systems, among others.
Speaking at the official opening, Mr. Bacanamwo Jean Pierre, Director of Customs and Trade Facilitation at the Northern Corridor, emphasized that the initiative represents a critical step toward ensuring the seamless movement of goods within the region.
Mr. Reagan Basoga, a senior trainer from the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA), is leading sessions on customs clearance processes and valuation. He urged South Sudanese customs agents to fully utilize this opportunity to enhance their service delivery and operational efficiency.
In her remarks, Ms. Josephine Nyebaza, Programs Officer for Training and Professionalism at FEAFFA, expressed appreciation to the Northern Corridor, URA, SSRA, and SSFFA for their joint efforts in establishing this training initiative in South Sudan. She reaffirmed FEAFFA’s continued commitment to supporting the implementation of the CCFL program, as it has done in other EAC Partner States.
The CCFL, formerly known as the East Africa Customs and Freight Forwarding Practicing Certificate (EACFFPC), is a joint initiative of the EAC Directorate of Customs, the East African Revenue Authorities (EARAs), national freight forwarding associations, and FEAFFA. Launched in Kenya in 2007, the program has since expanded to other EAC Partner States, with over 10,000 graduates regionally.
The CCFL program operates under a tripartite governance framework. At the top is the High-Level Policy Organ (HLPO), which includes the Director General of Customs and Trade at the EAC, Commissioners of Customs from Partner State Revenue Authorities, Chairpersons of national associations of clearing and forwarding agents, and the President of FEAFFA. The HLPO is the highest decision-making body for the CCFL program. The HLPO consists of the Director General of Customs and Trade of EAC, Commissioners of Customs of the Revenue Authorities of the Partner States of EAC, Chairpersons of national associations of the customs clearing and freight forwarding agencies, and the President of the FEAFFA.
The Curriculum Implementation Committee (CIC) oversees the development, implementation, and evaluation of FEAFFA’s regional training and professionalism programs. The CIC includes representatives from national freight forwarders’ associations, customs administrations, and the EAC Directorate of Customs.
At the national level, each country has a National CIC (NCIC), which convenes regularly to plan and resolve training-related issues. The NCIC comprises representatives from national revenue authorities and national clearing and forwarding associations.
Thus, EARAs and national associations of customs clearing and forwarding agents play central roles in the program’s implementation at the country level.
As one of the newest members of the EAC, South Sudan is actively working to strengthen its trade and logistics ecosystem. However, the absence of a structured training program has previously limited efficiency, compliance, and integration. The introduction of the CCFL program is expected to bridge this gap by developing a professionally trained workforce capable of meeting regional and international standards, positioning South Sudan as a competitive and reliable player in East Africa’s trade environment.
The article was published by Andrew Onionga, the Communications and Advocacy Officer at the Federation of East African Freight Forwarders Associations (EAFFA), and can be reached via onionga@feaffa.com / oniongaam@gmail.com Tel: +254733780240
