Burundi has started trials for electronic tracking of cargo on transit in a bid to prevent dumping of goods for which no taxes have been paid into the local market.

Burundi Revenue Authority (OBR) Director in charge of Customs, Border and Ports Leonce Niyonzima said the Electronic Cargo Tracking System (ECTS) will protect local industries and jobs.

“We all know that there are always non-tarrif barriers which hinders the free movement of goods in the country, but with the electronic cargo tracking system we will be able to limit the number of times trucks are stopped for checking,” he said.

Mr Leonce said the new system will reduce the time goods spend on transit while checking dumping and deviation of goods from their final destination.

With the Single Customs Territory requiring importers to pay excise tax duty in their respective country of destination before they clear their goods at the port of entry, the ECTS will complement efforts to counter unfair competition in the region.