Customs Information

Uganda - All

DOCUMENTS REQUIRED Uganda

  • Original passport with entry stamp (copies accepted for diplomats)
  • Packing list in English
  • Detailed valued inventory in English, dated, and signed by the owner of the goods
  • Tax identification number (TIN)
  • Invoice for all new items
  • Letter of employment / copy of contract
  • Original bill of lading  (OBL) / telex release / air waybill (AWB) - 2 copies
  • Work permit
  • Original residence permit 
  • PRO6 for diplomats
  • Exemption letter (diplomats)

CUSTOMS REGULATIONS

  • CUSTOMER MUST BE IN THE COUNTRY FOR CUSTOMS CLEARANCE
  • Used household goods may be duty-free provided they are exported upon the expiration of the customer’s temporary residence permit.
  • For all first arrivals by air, owner of the goods’ original passport with entry stamp and a letter of employment are required.
  • Diplomatic imported shipments are exempted from physical customs examination
  • Port wharfage is 1.6%
  • Returing residents should have a Residence Permit from abroad
  • Non-exemption qualified cosignees duties are 25% import duty, 18% vat and other taxes are 10%
    • Grace period is 7 days
  • New PVoC Certificate required for all imports. Pre-Inspection Certificate is now required for all sea and road imports to Uganda. To assure the quality and safety of imported goods, the Government implemented a series of guidelines known as a pre-export verification of conformity to standards program. New regulation applies to all shipments to Uganda, including private, diplomatic and returning citizen shipments. The PVoC must be obtained at origin through an inspection agency or an official Bureau of Stands Agency. The PVoC verifies the conformity of all regulated products and enforces their standards. Compliance to PVoC requirements is in addition to other existing import processes. Please note that any goods arriving in Uganda without a PVoC Certificate will be subjected to a 100% inspection by the UNBS (except for diplomats), and will incur inspection charges for the issuance of the PVoC Certificate (minimum USD 235). This process will also cause delays that will accrue extra charges.

MOTOR VEHICLES

  • New cars dutiable
  • Returning Ugandans and non-diplomats can import one vehicle, which must be owned more than 12 months to qualify for exemption from duties and taxes.
  • Require a pre-shipment inspection COC certificate preferably from a company contracted by the Uganda National Bureau of Standards e.g. SGS, Intertek, JEVIC, EAAR, etc.

Documents Required:

  • Original passport
  • Certificate of incorporation / registration for a company / organization
  • Original log book / registration certificate or cancellation
  • De-registration certificate for used cars / boats / motorcycles
  • Original invoice for new cars / boats / motorcycles
  • Road worthiness certificate from the origin country
  • Original bill of lading / telex release / air waybill
  • TIN
  • Interpol report confirming ownership needed for importation within Southern African countries only, not the whole of Africa
  • Exemption letter and allocation of number plates (diplomats)
  • Pre-inspection is for Japan and Dubai only where there is TBS authorized dealers, the rest of the countries, inspection will be done in the country for US $250-400
  • Car older than 8 years and qualified for exemption will be charged dumping fees for 30% of the CIF value, there is no exemption for more than 3000cc cars.

PETS

Documents Required

  • Vaccination record
  • Veterinary health certificate
  • Pet passport
  • Import permit issued by Ministry of Agriculture in Entebbe, Uganda

Specific Information

  • Electronic identification (e.g., microchip) is highly recommended.
  • Veterinary health certificate must be issued by a licensed veterinarian within 15 days of import.
  • Documents must accompany animal.
  • The pet passport must show proof against rabies and other disease and is free of disease communicable to humans; the rabies vaccination must be done at least 30 days prior to import.
  • Certain breeds of dogs are prohibited from entry; contact agent for details.

DUTIABLE/RESTRICTED ITEMS

  • The following items may qualify for free import within the limits indicated:
    • Cigarettes, cigars, cigarillos, tobacco not exceeding 250 grams in weight
    • Spirits including liquor not exceeding 1L and wine not exceeding 2L
    • Perfume and toilet water not exceeding 500mL, in which no more than 250 mL can be perfume
    • Hunting weapons (authorization from the Ministry of Interior is required)
    • Endangered species and products made from them (permission from CITES required)
    • Tax will be paid on goods in excess of allowed quantity
    • New items
  • To qualify for duty free allowance a passenger must be 18 years of age or older
  • Items over the allowed quantity attract tax of their intended use (home use included)

PROHIBITED ITEMS

  • Narcotics
  • Pornography
  • Cultural artifacts and objects of cultural importance
  • Explosive materials
  • Some wildlife species