Job Purpose

The Customs Declaration Officer specializes in data entry, tariff classification, and the technical lodgment of customs declarations. You will ensure that all import, export, and transit entries are accurately processed through the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) systems. Your primary goal is to achieve error-free submissions that comply with East African Community (EAC) customs laws to eliminate clearance delays and penalties.

Detailed Key Responsibilities

System Data Entry & Lodgment

• Execute System Entries: Input shipment data into the URA ASYCUDA World system with high precision. Ensure rapid entry turnaround to prevent port storage fees.
• Process Bonds and Transits: Lodge transit documents (T1) and execute regional transit declarations, ensuring electronic cargo tracking systems (RECTS) are initiated correctly.

Tariff Classification & Valuation Analysis

• Determine HS Codes: Analyze technical specification sheets, material safety data sheets (MSDS), and invoices to assign precise Harmonized System (HS) codes.
• Calculate Tax Obligations: Compute precise customs duties, import duty, VAT, withholding taxes, environmental levies, and infrastructure fees. Generate accurate assessment forms for clients.
• Apply Rules of Origin: Verify and apply preferential tariff treatments under COMESA, EAC, agreements using valid Certificates of Origin.

Documentation Quality Control

• Audit Inbound Files: Pre-vet commercial invoices, packing lists, bills of lading, and airway bills to catch data mismatches before system submission.
• Rectify Discrepancies: Query clients or shipping lines immediately for missing information, such as incorrect weights, values, or Item descriptions.
• Maintain Compliance Logs: Document and file all submitted declaration records, assessment forms, and payment receipts to secure a clean post-clearance audit trail.

Dispute Resolution & Agency Liaison

• Resolve Valuation Queries: Handle URA valuation queries by providing justified price evidence, manufacturer price lists, or historical clearance data.
• Coordinate Technical Approvals: Request and link necessary permits from partner government agencies (UNBS, NDA, MAAIF) within the declaration portal.
• Track Amendment Files: Draft and follow up on voucher amendments (C16) in ASYCUDA when corrections are legally required post-lodgment.

• Execute System Entries: Input shipment data into the URA ASYCUDA World system with high precision. Ensure rapid entry turnaround to prevent port storage fees.
• Process Bonds and Transits: Lodge transit documents (T1) and execute regional transit declarations, ensuring electronic cargo tracking systems (RECTS) are initiated correctly.
• Determine HS Codes: Analyze technical specification sheets, material safety data sheets (MSDS), and invoices to assign precise Harmonized System (HS) codes.
• Calculate Tax Obligations: Compute precise customs duties, import duty, VAT, withholding taxes, environmental levies, and infrastructure fees. Generate accurate assessment forms for clients.
• Apply Rules of Origin: Verify and apply preferential tariff treatments under COMESA, EAC, agreements using valid Certificates of Origin.
• Audit Inbound Files: Pre-vet commercial invoices, packing lists, bills of lading, and airway bills to catch data mismatches before system submission.
• Rectify Discrepancies: Query clients or shipping lines immediately for missing information, such as incorrect weights, values, or Item descriptions.
• Maintain Compliance Logs: Document and file all submitted declaration records, assessment forms, and payment receipts to secure a clean post-clearance audit trail.
• Resolve Valuation Queries: Handle URA valuation queries by providing justified price evidence, manufacturer price lists, or historical clearance data.
• Coordinate Technical Approvals: Request and link necessary permits from partner government agencies (UNBS, NDA, MAAIF) within the declaration portal.
• Track Amendment Files: Draft and follow up on voucher amendments (C16) in ASYCUDA when corrections are legally required post-lodgment.

• Data entry
• Tariff classification
• Customs declaration lodgment
• ASYCUDA World system proficiency
• Understanding of East African Community (EAC) customs laws
• HS Code determination
• Tax calculation
• Rules of Origin application
• Documentation auditing
• Dispute resolution
• Liaison with government agencies

• Experience in data entry, tariff classification, and customs declaration lodgment.
• Proficiency in the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) ASYCUDA World system.
• Knowledge of East African Community (EAC) customs laws.
• Ability to determine Harmonized System (HS) codes.
• Skills in calculating customs duties and taxes.
• Understanding of Rules of Origin and preferential tariff treatments.
• Experience in auditing commercial documents (invoices, packing lists, bills of lading, airway bills).
• Ability to resolve valuation queries and liaise with government agencies.
• Experience in tracking and amending customs declarations.