Simplified Border Procedures Toolkit – A Practical Guide for Small Agroecological Traders

• Many small agroecological producers and traders lose time and money at borders because procedures seem confusing or officials ask for documents that traders don’t understand.
• The East African Community (EAC) has introduced the Simplified Trade Regime (STR) and other tools to help small consignments (≤ USD 2,000) cross borders faster and at lower cost.
• The AfCFTA is expanding these benefits across Africa, but only if traders know the correct forms, steps, and reporting channels.
• This toolkit walks you through every significant Step: preparing documents, completing forms, complying with SPS/TBT rules, and interacting with border officials.

A. Simplified Trade Regime (STR)

• Legal basis: EAC Customs Union Protocol & STR Guidelines 2018.
• Who qualifies: Small consignments (≤ USD 2,000 per consignment) carried by cross-border traders.
• Step-by-step:
  • Check if your product is on the STR Common List
    • Available at border customs offices or online:
    • EAC STR Common List – example.
  • Complete the Simplified Certificate of Origin (SCO)
    • Request the SCO from the Customs Official or Trade Information Desk.
    • Fill:
      • Exporter name, address, ID/passport no.
      • Product name & HS Code (get help at the desk).
      • Value (≤ USD 2,000).
      • Country of production.
  • Submit the SCO & ID to customs.
    • Keep a photocopy or phone photo of the signed SCO.
  • Pay any applicable duties (most agricultural products are duty-free under STR).
  • Request receipt — always keep proof of payment.
• 🔗 Resources:
  • EAC STR Overview: https://www.eac.int/customs/simplified-trade-regime
  • STR User Guide (Uganda Revenue Authority): URA STR Guide PDF

B. Certificates of Origin (Non-STR or AfCFTA)

• If your consignment is > USD 2,000 or destined for AfCFTA preferences, use a standard Certificate of Origin (CoO).
• Steps:
  • Apply to your national chamber of commerce/customs authority.
    • E.g., Kenya National Chamber of Commerce| Tanzania Chamber of Commerce | Uganda Export Promotion Board.
  • Provide:
    • Exporter details.
    • Product description & HS Code.
    • Proof of origin (farm records, invoices).
  • Get CoO stamped and signed.
  • Attach CoO to the customs declaration.
• 🔗 AfCFTA Rules of Origin: https://au.int/en/ti/cfta/about

C. Sanitary & Phytosanitary (SPS) Certificates

• Required for plants, seeds, fresh produce, and grains.
• Steps:
  • Contact your National Plant Health Authority:
    • Kenya: KEPHIS – Phytosanitary Services
    • Tanzania: TPRI – Phytosanitary Certification
    • Uganda: MAAIF Plant Health
  • Submit requests (product type, origin farm, pest control records).
  • Inspection may be done on your farm or warehouse.
  • Receive Phytosanitary Certificate (keep original for border).
• 🔗 SPS Standards & Info:
  • WTO SPS Agreement: https://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/sps_e/sps_e.htm
  • EAC SPS Protocol: EAC SPS Portal

D. Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) – Labelling & Packaging

• Applies to processed foods, beverages, animal feeds, and packaged grains.
• Steps:
  • Check labelling requirements with your national standards body:
    • Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS): https://www.kebs.org
    • Tanzania Bureau of Standards (TBS): https://www.tbs.go.tz
    • Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS): https://www.unbs.go.ug
  • Ensure label shows:
    • Product name.
    • Producer address.
    • Net weight.
    • Date of production/expiry.
  • Keep a sample package ready for inspection.
• 🔗 WTO TBT Agreement: https://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/tbt_e/tbt_e.htm

E. Dealing with Non-Tariff Barriers (NTBs)

• If asked for illegal payments or delayed without a reason:
  • Politely ask for the legal reference or written reason.
  • Report to the NTB Focal Point or online portal.
• 🔗 NTB Reporting Portal: https://www.tradebarriers.org
• Each EAC Partner State has NTB Focal Persons: Contact List

• Be confident & polite — greet officials, show documents in order.
• Organise papers: ID, SCO/CoO, SPS, receipts, and any invoices.
• Have copies/photos — digital backup prevents loss.
• Avoid bribes — use the NTB hotline if pressured.
• If unsure, ask for the Customs Trade Information Desk.

• EAC-ATKH (Agroecological Trade Knowledge Hub) (launching soon): Guides, HS codes, price dashboards, SPS/TBT templates.
• AfCFTA Trade Observatory: https://tradeobservatory.africa – market and tariff info.
• TRAINFO DESKS: Installed at many EAC border posts (e.g., Busia, Namanga) for live help.
• NTB Mobile App: Download at www.tradebarriers.org.

• EAC Simplified Trade Regime (STR): https://www.eac.int/customs/simplified-trade-regime
• URA STR Guide: https://www.ura.go.ug/Resources/webuploads/RESOURCECENTER/GUIDELINES/STR%20BROCHURE.pdf
• WTO SPS Agreement: https://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/sps_e/sps_e.htm
• WTO TBT Agreement: https://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/tbt_e/tbt_e.htm
• AfCFTA Rules of Origin & Documents: https://au.int/en/ti/cfta/about
• NTB Portal: https://www.tradebarriers.org
• KEPHIS (Kenya Plant Health): https://kephis.org/services/phytosanitary-services/
• Tanzania Plant Health (TPRI): https://www.tpri.go.tz/
• Uganda Agriculture (MAAIF): https://www.agriculture.go.ug/
• Standards Bodies: KEBS https://www.kebs.org | TBS https://www.tbs.go.tz | UNBS https://www.unbs.go.ug

📦 Suggested Design

• Length: 8–12 pages with diagrams (border flowchart, STR form sample, NTB reporting screenshots).
• Format: Printable PDF + mobile-first.
• Languages: English + Kiswahili; add French if expanding beyond EAC.
• Interactive: QR codes linking directly to STR list, NTB portal, and SPS authority pages.
• Use: Pre-training primer & post-training field handbook.