KAMPALA, UGANDA — State Minister for Industry David Bahati has said the government will engage the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Council of Ministers to explore the possibility of waiving export testing charges imposed on goods during transit.
Speaking on the floor of Parliament while responding to Hon. Dickson Collins Kateshumbwa, Bahati said the government would follow up on the matter to establish whether the charges could be reconsidered.
Bahati explained that, according to the clarification presented during the parliamentary discussion, the charges were linked to testing requirements for exports that encounter challenges in meeting the required standards.
He indicated that exporters whose goods do not face standards-related problems would not be expected to pay the charge, although the precise scope of the applicable fees requires further clarification.
The minister described the payment as a testing charge associated with goods in transit, suggesting that the issue requires engagement with the relevant regional authorities to establish whether an exemption could be secured.
Bahati said the government would take up the matter with the SADC Council of Ministers, signalling its intention to seek a regional solution rather than treating the issue solely as a domestic policy concern.
The proposed engagement could be significant for exporters whose goods pass through regional markets, particularly where additional testing requirements and associated costs affect the movement of merchandise across borders.
For businesses involved in cross-border trade, the distinction between charges imposed on goods that fail to meet standards and those that comply with the requirements is important in determining the financial implications of regional trade procedures.
However, Bahati did not announce an immediate waiver, making it clear that further engagement would be necessary before any decision could be reached on whether the charge can be removed.
The minister’s commitment places the matter before the relevant regional authorities, with the outcome of the proposed discussions expected to determine whether exporters can obtain relief from the disputed testing charges.
