More items have been added to the list of goods that will be cleared at the Dar es Salaam port under the Single Customs Territory system.

The new list of goods, released by Rwanda Revenue Authority Customs Department includes cement and salt.

Rice and sugar imported outside Tanzania have also been added, bringing the total number of items to six after fuel and wheat were piloted in July this.

Rwanda has prioritised these items partly because they are categorised as low risk. This means that importers have shown high level of tax compliance but also essential.

The new development announced by Commissioner Customs Rwanda Revenue Authority (RRA) Raphael Tugirumuremyi heightens competition between ports of Dar es Salaam port and Mombasa.

“Increasing the list of items to be cleared under the SCT makes Dar es Salaam port and the central corridor attractive which for importers giving Mombasa a run for its money,” a statement from RRA said.

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There is hope among Kigali-based importers who have have been waiting for the full implementation of SCT clearing system along the Central Corridor.

Earlier efforts to add more goods to be cleared under the SCT system suffered a setback because Tanzanian authorities were not ready.

READ: Plan to clear more goods at Dar port under SCT stalls

September 15 had been set to be the date when all goods destined to Rwanda imported through Dar es Salaam port would be cleared under CT for the first time.

With the customs reforms under the East African Community, intra-regional trade has been deepened.

Official figure from East African Community Secretariat show that intra-regional trading within the bloc has grown from $2 billion in 2005 to $5.5 billion in 2013 as turnovers increase and traders find it easier to trade with each other.