Job Description: Customs Declaration Officer
Company Overview
KASO Logistics is a fast-growing logistics and freight forwarding provider in East Africa. We deliver seamless supply chain solutions by ensuring speed, compliance, and operational excellence at every border and port of entry.
Position Overview
- Job Title: Customs Declaration Officer
- Location: Kampala, Uganda (with travel to border posts if required)
- Department: Operations & Documentation
- Reports To: Operations Manager
- Job Type: Full-time
Job Purpose
The Customs Declaration Officer specializes in high-precision data entry, tariff classification, and the technical lodgment of customs declarations. You will ensure that all import, export, and transit entries are accurately processed through the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) systems. Your primary goal is to achieve error-free submissions that comply fully with East African Community (EAC) customs laws to eliminate clearance delays, port storage fees, and regulatory penalties.
Key Responsibilities
- System Data Entry & Lodgment
- Execute System Entries: Input shipment data into the URA ASYCUDA World system with high precision and rapid turnaround times to prevent port storage fees.
- Process Bonds and Transits: Lodge regional transit documents (T1) and execute regional transit declarations, ensuring Electronic Cargo Tracking Systems (RECTS) are initiated correctly.
- Tariff Classification & Valuation Analysis
- Determine HS Codes: Analyze technical specification sheets, Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS), and commercial invoices to assign precise Harmonized System (HS) codes.
- Calculate Tax Obligations: Compute precise customs duties, import duty, VAT, withholding taxes, environmental levies, and infrastructure fees to generate accurate client assessment forms.
- Apply Rules of Origin: Verify and apply preferential tariff treatments under COMESA and EAC agreements using valid Certificates of Origin.
- Documentation Quality Control & Auditing
- Audit Inbound Files: Pre-vet commercial invoices, packing lists, bills of lading, and airway bills to catch data mismatches before system submission.
- Rectify Discrepancies: Immediately query clients or shipping lines for missing or conflicting information (e.g., incorrect weights, values, or item descriptions).
- Maintain Compliance Logs: Document and file all submitted declaration records, assessment forms, and payment receipts to secure a clean post-clearance audit trail.
- Dispute Resolution & Agency Liaison
- Resolve Valuation Queries: Handle URA valuation queries by providing justified price evidence, manufacturer price lists, or historical clearance data.
- Coordinate Technical Approvals: Request and link necessary permits from partner government agencies (UNBS, NDA, MAAIF) within the declaration portal.
- Track Amendment Files: Draft and follow up on voucher amendments (C16) in ASYCUDA when corrections are legally required post-lodgment.
Job Requirements & Qualifications
Experience & Education:
- Experience: Minimum of 2–3 years of hands-on experience handling customs declarations specifically within Uganda.
- Education: Diploma or Bachelor’s Degree in Clearing and Forwarding, Logistics, Supply Chain Management, or a related business field.
- Certification: A professional certificate in East African Customs Freight Forwarding Practicing Certificate (EACFFPC) is highly desirable.
- System Knowledge: Deep, verifiable experience navigating the URA ASYCUDA World portal and RECTS.
- Mobility: Willingness and flexibility to travel to various Ugandan border posts at short notice if operational emergencies arise.
Technical Skills:
- High-speed, high-accuracy data entry capabilities.
- Expert mastery of the EAC Customs Management Act and current URA tax structures.
- Strong document-vetting skills to identify errors across complex international shipping documents.
Soft Skills & Behavioral Traits:
- Extreme Attention to Detail: A mindset focused on “zero-error” entry to protect the company and clients from heavy customs fines.
- Time Management: Ability to perform efficiently under high-pressure turnaround windows to avoid port demurrage.
- Assertive Communication: Professional confidence to handle intense valuation disputes with URA customs officers and clarify discrepancies with clients.
How to Apply
Interested candidates who meet the above criteria should submit their updated CV directly to:
careers@kaso.africa
Application Deadline: 16th September 2026