URA rolls out EAC customs guarantee to ease regional trade

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The Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) has rolled out the East African Community Customs Bond (EACBond), a regionally harmonised customs guarantee designed to allow traders move goods across multiple borders using a single digital bond.

In an addendum to an earlier public notice issued on December 23, 2025, URA said the rollout took effect in January 2026.

“In accordance with Section 107 of the East African Community Customs Management Act, 2004, and following the decision of the EAC 47th Sectoral Council on Trade, Industry, Finance and Investment effective January 2026, Uganda Revenue Authority successfully rolled out the EAC Bond,” the notice reads.

A customs bond is a financial guarantee issued by a bank to assure tax authorities that duties and taxes will be paid if goods under customs control are not properly delivered.

The EACBond replaces multiple national guarantees with a single regionally valid instrument, allowing traders, clearing agents, and guarantors to operate across partner states under one system.

The digital platform behind the bond allows applications, approvals and monitoring in real time through a management information system that connects to national customs platforms and the Regional Electronic Cargo Tracking System.

Authorities say this will improve visibility of goods while reducing delays often caused by paperwork and separate country-level bonds.