Uganda

Used Household Goods and Personal Effects

Documents Required

• Original passport with entry stamp
• 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), Express release and telex release - 2 copies
• Work permit
• Original residence permit
• PRO6 for diplomats
• Exemption letter (diplomats)

 

Specific Information

• 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

 

Motor Vehicles

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
• 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.
• Exemption letter and allocation of number plates (diplomats)

 

Specific Information

• 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.

 

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.

 

Restricted/Dutiable 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

 

Consignment Instructions

Recommended:  Contact the destination agent to ensure all requirements have been met prior to import, especially for differences regarding air / sea shipments.