How customs clearing agents are licensed and paid
Licensing, registration, bonds, fees and the electronic systems customs agents use across East Africa, from customs authorities and regional bodies, dated. Updated 20 October 2026.
Explainers
- Authorised Economic Operator programmes in East Africa
How the EAC regional AEO programme and national AEO schemes work: who can apply, the criteria, the four approval stages and benefits for clearing agents.
- Clearing agent fees and official import charges in East Africa
Clearing agent fee schedules in Tanzania and Kenya, licence fees agents pay, and official levies importers pay at clearance in Kenya and Uganda.
- Customs agent licensing in the East African Community
How the EAC Customs Management Act 2004 and the 2010 Regulations govern customs agent licences, fees, the practising certificate and FEAFFA.
- Customs bonded warehouses in East Africa
How bonded warehouses are licensed under the EAC Customs Management Act: Form C18, the 1,500 dollar annual fee, bonds, storage periods and national rules.
- How to check that a customs clearing agent is licensed
Where to check a customs clearing agent's licence in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania and Rwanda: the official lists, the URA search page and what to look for.
- The East African Customs and Freight Forwarding Practising Certificate
What the EACFFPC is, who runs it, how long it takes, what it costs in Uganda, and how it links to customs agent licensing under EAC rules.
Countries
- Customs agent licensing in Burundi
How customs agents are authorised in Burundi under the EAC customs law: OBR rules, mandatory use of agents, guarantees, training and fees.
- Customs agent licensing in Kenya
KRA customs agent licence rules: Form C20, US$50 and US$400 fees, the US$5,000 CB 11 bond, iCMS access and the role of KIFWA.
- Customs agent licensing in Tanzania
TRA rules for licensing clearing and forwarding agents: US$50 and US$400 fees, the TSh 100 million bond, TANCIS and the TAFFA association.
- Customs agent licensing in the DRC
How the DGDA approves customs commissionnaires in the DRC: who may apply, the documents, the bank bonds of US$100,000 to US$350,000 and how to apply.
- Customs agent licensing in Uganda
URA customs agency licence rules: Form C20 on the Single Window, US$50 and US$400 fees, competence tests, ASYCUDA World and UFFA.
- Customs clearing agent licensing in Ethiopia
How Ethiopia licenses customs clearing agents under Customs Proclamation 859/2014 and Regulation 518/2022, with the 2022 permit suspensions.
- Customs clearing agent licensing in Malawi
How MRA licenses customs clearing agents in Malawi: section 128 of the Customs and Excise Act, Form C25, the MK20,000 application fee and renewal tests.
- Customs clearing agent licensing in Rwanda
RRA requirements for a customs clearing agency licence in Rwanda: RESW application, RWF 150 million guarantee, staff, validity and EAC fees.
- Customs clearing agent licensing in South Sudan
How South Sudan's revenue authority licenses clearing agents: the online portal, licence fees reported in 2024, and revocation for forgery.
- Customs clearing agent licensing in Zambia
How ZRA licenses clearing agents in Zambia: section 182A, Form CE 34, company documents, staff qualifications, licence periods and removal in bond rules.
Clearing Agent Systems is a public-interest reference site. It is not a government website. Our methodology page explains how we check every figure.