Time taken for importing goods into East Africa through the Port of Mombasa in Kenya has been shortened following the commencement of the single customs territory framework along the Northern Corridor.

Previously, under the old transit system transportersusing the Northern Corridor between Mombasa and the Gatuna border have been struggling with enormous non-tariff barriers (NTBs) affecting operations and limiting their competitiveness in the EAC region.

Before the single customs territory came into force, trucks would take between 18-21 days from Mombasa to Kigali because of the numerous non-tariff barriers along the way. But this has dropped to approximately six days with the implementation of the single customs territory and the removal of NTBs, like weighbridges, as agreed upon by East African Community member states in promoting intra-regional trade.

Until recently there were eight fixed weighbridges, excluding mobile ones between Mombasa and Gatuna border post. At the weighbridges, truckers were subjected to long queues and waited for long hours before they could be cleared by customs agents. However, with the introduction of the single customs territory, transporters are only subjected to only two weighbridges that are necessitated by the need to ascertain whether the trucks comply with the axle load regulations.

Preparations are underway to make the single customs territory along the Central Corridor operational by July, 2014.

It is envisaged that once the single customs territory is operational along both corridors, the EAC region will be inter-linked than before, enabling business operations to expand, with traders enjoying immense benefits offered by the new system.